I was desperately trying to sell a woman a piece of furniture today (I work at a furniture store. Hollywood!) when I heard someone crying.

Out on the street stood a young girl. She was soaked in water, mostly down the front of her shirt, and she was holding her hands out as far as she could, away from the wetness. She wept openly and as I glanced over, she caught my eye and would not stop looking.

Her mother was running around their car, telling her it would “all be okay, poor baby!” as she attempted to corral a large poodle.

I stared at this girl. She stared back. Her mouth mealy, her palms upturned and her red-rimmed eyes burning into mine.

The woman I was “selling” furniture to didn’t look up. She didn’t see the distraction, or didn’t want to see it, and therefore I couldn’t leave her. I couldn’t aid this girl without leaving the woman. 

So I just stared.

And she stared back. Stared with this all to human expression that said, “Why do you refuse to help! Are you really more worried about selling that leathered hag a mirror? I’m in pain!”

But there was nothing I could do. I was pinned by my retail obligations. All I could do was look, half shrug, look away, go back to the woman.

Eventually the little girl was toweled off by her mother. The dog was put in the car. Maybe some Pinkberry was purchased for her trouble. I’ll never learn how she got wet. A spill in the car? Errant water balloon? Or - horror of horrors - a urine mishap.   

But it’s not really important as to how it happened. The important part is this: I did nothing.

When we ask each other rhetorical questions and the nature of character is brought up, how do you usually respond? Would you call the cops when a bum has been too still on a street corner? Would you run down a mugger for a person you didn’t know? Would you break from your job to help a small crying girl?

Or would you just pretend that you’re really interested in helping a woman - who’s wearing her sunglasses indoors - find an Asian fusion mirror?

I am no hero.