u/BunsAreReal

I’ve been thinking about sharing some of my experiences from working around town for a while now. Over the past few years, I’ve collected a number of stories about situations I’ve witnessed that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Some are serious, some are unusual, and some are surprisingly wholesome. This is one of the lighter ones.

At the time, I had recently started working at a smoke shop and was rotating between two Tyler locations. It was my first morning shift at this particular store, and I was still learning the procedures and layout.

About five minutes after opening, a young male entered the store wearing mostly red clothing, including a red jumpsuit, red shoes, and a red balaclava. During the interaction, I noticed what appeared to be the handle of a firearm visible above his waistband.

I greeted him and asked how I could help. He responded that he intended to “get whatever he wanted” and briefly lifted his shirt to display the weapon. Wanting to de-escalate the situation, I calmly told him that no one needed to get hurt and asked whether he would prefer that I contact his parents or law enforcement. I also mentioned that he appeared underage and should likely be in school.

As the conversation continued, he became frustrated and eventually left the store without taking anything. A few minutes later, a local constable arrived in the area looking for a student reportedly skipping school. I provided a description of the individual and shared what had happened.

Thankfully, the situation ended without anyone being harmed.

Just another unexpected day at Four Corners.

Hello again everyone, im back, and this situation occurred maybe 2 years ago. It was my mid day shift and my employee was just arriving while the other was leaving and about 30 minutes go by. I saw a young girl in her late teens sprint across traffic from the motel 6 on gentry/loop323 came up to the door, I could tell she wasnt well and something happened to her. Her body language and eyes gave it away when she got closer that she had been drugged. I asked her what happened and she explained that some guys invited them there to give them drugs and they all passed out after taking them and she realized what was going on and something told her to leave when he and his other guys left the room for the bathroom. She then ran to her car but it wasnt working for some reason and she ran to us for help. I did my best to comfort her and make her feel safe and I told her she was welcome to sit somewhere were she could hide and not be seen and ill stand next to the front door so if she sees one of them I would lock the door. I told my employee to call the police and we gave her water and didnt let customers in the store till they got there. Once the cop arrived, we explained what happened and he wasnt being patient with the girl at all so, I should've done it, but stepped into the conversation because he didnt take her to the back to make sure she was safe and customers kept coming into the store, not having a single ounce of compassion towards her. After I stepped in he began to listen to her more and they got a second cop up there to talk to her in the cop car and they drove off. About 25 minutes go by and 2 fire trucks and police cars and ambulances came up to the motel 6 and busted only one of many human trafficking situations here at the four corners. A couple months pass by and the same girl comes up to my shop and she came in with a lady she tells me she is her sponsor and all of her other friends have sponsors now that were in that situation. God is so good all the time.

Hey everyone ive been meaning to do this now for 3 years so now I have a bunch of stories im gonna be to sharing of what the people who run our town fail to notice and what I witness everyday. Here we go first story is going to be one of the more wholesome stories but if yall have any particular requests or questions im all ears.

It was my first year working at this smoke shop and they had me as a transformer between our two Tyler stores.

It was literally my first morning shift at that store. And the management of this establishment is known for always running around like a chicken with its head cut off so I was a test rat with their new system once more.

It was about 5 minutes after opening and this kid came in where all red jump suit with red shoes and a red balaclava on, I could see the Civ. Glock under his pants waistband and I asked him, "hey dude what's up how can I help ya?" No eye contact, had a gaunt walk, and he says,"nah imma get whatever I want." And pulled his top up and flashed the handle at me. And returned, "don't shoot you're bick off kid, so who would you like me to call first? You're mom or the police, because I have youre mom on speed dial." And he shouted, "man fuq you, you dont know me!" I said, "I know you're not old enough to show me an ID, and you should go be in class right now. So I'll ask again if you again, you're mom or the cops?" He grew frustrated and I stepped in front of the register saying this holding the phone, "man F*** you!" And he stormed out of the store as I drew closer to him. A couple minutes later a constable came up to my shop since he was a regular and said he was looking for a kid skipping school, gave him the tip off and they got him off the streets.

Just another day at the four corners. 😁