I was having a great workout this afternoon, as usual. I got to the gym later than I normally do. The business was closed so I knew that most likely the place would be completely empty. That's one of the things I love about the place, its solitude. That along with the "old school" feel, the chamber-like ambiance that reminds me of my old basement gym growing up.

I was upstairs, only had two exercises to go. The lights weren't on, just the sunlight coming in from the window, door and the flicker of the ceiling's turbine vent. That's when I encountered the new member.

I'm an easy going guy. Up until today I got along real well with all the members and the workers of the business. I know most of them by name. Except for the new member. I'll call him Ben. If he was white I'd call him Socrates. Race isn't a factor if you don't have this figured out yet. I guarantee Ben isn't paying to use the facilities.

Even though I rarely need to resort to a Plan B at the gym, Ben was able to make me do so. I was just about to start my next to last set when he caught my attention. He was quickly moving to the machine I was about to use. At first I thought the light from the moving vent was playing tricks on me. But no. Ben's unmistakable appendage let me know right away that my workout wouldn't go on as planned.
It seems my presence screwed up his plans too. He hid behind the old water fountain waiting for me to leave, or possibly waiting for me to get engrossed in my set and scare the crap out of me. I went downstairs and cautiously finished hoping that Ben would stay upstairs. I wasn't as focused for the last two exercises as I normally would be, but it was still a great workout.

I might have to bring BC, Mooch or Pepper with me to the gym tomorrow.