He hit me!

I was driving into work this morning just fine, until I got right in front of the Institute building.

The road there is being repaved on the side closest to the parking garage. There was a vehicle in front of me.

The pavers were blocking access to the entrance gate to the garage, and moving at a snail's pace, so we stopped and put on our turn signals. As I was sitting there I saw that the pavers were spraying what looked like tar onto the road surface. I steered the minivan closer to the right side of the road, to give them space and avoid getting the van sprayed.

Then I realized that the vehicle in front of me was backing up, probably to avoid the pavers as well. I gave it a second, thinking the vehicle would stop, but when it didn't, I laid on the horn.

To no avail.

He backed up right into me!

Horn, no horn, he didn't even LOOK before backing up!!!

I knew I had people behind me....

Finally, the pavers had cleared the parking garage entrance, and we were waved into it. I followed this vehicle in and parked next to him.

I immediately got out to survey the damage. He got out too.

He asks if there is any damage. "I don't know yet. I haven't looked yet."

I checked and checked. The only immediately obvious damage was a horizontal scratch in the bumper paint. I kept checking, but didn't see anything else at that time.

Finally, the guy offered his hand to shake, and said, "I'm Jerry Kriss. Let me know if you have any problems."

Okay, so I shook it and gave him my name too.

I came up to my office, checked the Institute directory, and found that his office is on the same floor as mine.....

Gerard Kriss, 410 338-4353, Room 412, Spectro Branch.