Here at the Museum of Amazing Stuff, we are a Haven of Tolerance. We are a Place where the Community may Gather Together. We welcome people from All Walks of Life - one of those walks being, unfortunately, the Path that Comes from Crazytown.
Being funded by public monies means that we are, quite literally open to all (certain protocols must be observed when consulting objects, using the study rooms &c.) On the whole this is good, but not when you bring the crazy. We've had a problem patron haunting our floor for some time now - he's obviously disturbed, but until recently not quite disturbed enough to have him removed. Some of his more singular habits involve trying to obliterate items on the computer screen using a pencil eraser, keeping up a constant conversation with someone who isn't there, and using the public-issue bottles of hand sanitizer in lieu of bathing. (I know, I shouldn't complain: he might have skipped both steps.) However, until he does something REAL bad, like dropping trou or harassing other patrons, we kind of have to put up with him. However, his behaviour has been escalating as of late.
He was in on Fri, muttering to himself while perusing his "research", which consists of long strips of paper with mysterious scribbles on them, and a family with a few kids came in to check out our latest display. the next thing I hear is this guy telling these people to "get out, this is not a place for children".
OH SNAP.
Now I'm not so good with teh kidz, but dammit, this is MY floor, and nobody disses my patrons but me. Plus, Cray Guy has just earned himself a one-way ticket to the exit. So I snarl (at the guy) "This place is for THE PUBLIC", and say sweetly, to the family "Hi! Welcome to the Museum of Amazing Stuff! Over here we have ..." Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to call security and watch Cray Guy get booted, as he grabbed his things and left in a huff. However the incident was reported and I was in the unlikely position of being a hero to a parent, for once.
Cray Guy came back today - fortunately he chose to patronize another floor, but crossed the line in record time and was escorted out by security. All the while threatening to report the department head to the United Nations for violating his human rights. I don't think he's going to get very far with that one.
Being funded by public monies means that we are, quite literally open to all (certain protocols must be observed when consulting objects, using the study rooms &c.) On the whole this is good, but not when you bring the crazy. We've had a problem patron haunting our floor for some time now - he's obviously disturbed, but until recently not quite disturbed enough to have him removed. Some of his more singular habits involve trying to obliterate items on the computer screen using a pencil eraser, keeping up a constant conversation with someone who isn't there, and using the public-issue bottles of hand sanitizer in lieu of bathing. (I know, I shouldn't complain: he might have skipped both steps.) However, until he does something REAL bad, like dropping trou or harassing other patrons, we kind of have to put up with him. However, his behaviour has been escalating as of late.
He was in on Fri, muttering to himself while perusing his "research", which consists of long strips of paper with mysterious scribbles on them, and a family with a few kids came in to check out our latest display. the next thing I hear is this guy telling these people to "get out, this is not a place for children".
OH SNAP.
Now I'm not so good with teh kidz, but dammit, this is MY floor, and nobody disses my patrons but me. Plus, Cray Guy has just earned himself a one-way ticket to the exit. So I snarl (at the guy) "This place is for THE PUBLIC", and say sweetly, to the family "Hi! Welcome to the Museum of Amazing Stuff! Over here we have ..." Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to call security and watch Cray Guy get booted, as he grabbed his things and left in a huff. However the incident was reported and I was in the unlikely position of being a hero to a parent, for once.

Cray Guy came back today - fortunately he chose to patronize another floor, but crossed the line in record time and was escorted out by security. All the while threatening to report the department head to the United Nations for violating his human rights. I don't think he's going to get very far with that one.
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