Richard Pryor and Difficult People

In one of Richard Pryor's concert movies, he's dealing with a heckler that is relentless; finally, he starts in on her, firing a few good shots, and says, "Some people just want you to get nasty with them."

Well, turns out Richard was very correct. And anyone who's dealt with abusive, difficult, domineering people knows that getting aggressive, straight-forward and mean with them often works. They pause and take notice, even have regard for you. And, you could say, as Richard implied, they had it coming.

I go to the pharmacy the other day and discover that my mother's blood pressure med is not there; the pharmacy tells me it has no refills on it. Well, you know, it's a blood pressure med. My understanding is that it's dangerous to stop taking the med abruptly. I ask the clerk if they can do something or does the doctor; she says the doctor.

So, today I call the doctor's office. I explain to the receptionist the deal, she says I have to make an appointment. "AN APPOINTMENT FOR WHAT?!" I said rather not-calmly. "Well, you have to..." I interrupt her summarily. "Either refill the prescription or not!" Again, not-calmly. I hang up.

I message my sister and let her know we get to find out what happens if our mother goes off of her blood pressure med abruptly.

The doctor's office calls me back, asks me about the med, what pharmacy, and tells me they'll look into it. As I am writing, the pharmacy calls, recording, something about them calling us when the prescription is ready.

Well, I think you get the gist.