The Day Madness Entered the Coffeehouse

A Man Who Terrorized A Whole Neighborhood

It was a bright, sunny morning in early April 1991. My brother Rob and I were finishing work on the space, preparing it for the opening in three days.

While we were busy working, something put the store into partial shade. We turned to see what caused it. A man stood there, almost wholly fitting within the door frame. He was about 6 '2" and appeared to be very strong. Menacing and strong.

"I_brought_you_a _sign_ for _your_shop," enunciating each word, he stood staring at me. I asked his name; he hesitated, then said, Matt. He had the strange demeanor of someone taking heavy medication.

After selling my bakery, I worked at a psychiatric facility. After leaving the triage room one morning, I was caught in the middle of a Code Red. A dangerous situation where a patient is out of control and physically trying to hurt staff. The patient held a nurse around her neck. It was terrifying, but a quick-acting nurse freed me safely; then the doctors came running and neutralized the situation.

Matt's presence made my hackles go up, a warning sign.

I said softly, "Thank you, Matt, but I already have a new sign going up tomorrow. As if he didn't hear me, Matt went outside, returning with a giant wooden wheel with a hole in the center like the wheels used in a mill. It appeared to weigh upwards of 300 pounds. He rolled it into the space and then turned it around. It read, "Matt's Sheep Shirring."

My brother Rob turned to me smiling, "I don't know how you do it, but crazies always find you." "I know, I'm just lucky, I guess, I said sarcastically." Matt didn't move. He kept staring.

I thanked him again and said, "Matt, I need to return to work, but thank you for stopping by." He finally left.

I felt I was now treading on dangerous ground, but I didn't realize at the time how dangerous he was until the stories started coming in.

He bought a coffee cup with my logo printed on it every week. After a month of purchases, I asked him why he needed so many cups. He answered, "Because someone comes into my apartment and keeps throwing them against the wall, shattering them.

I asked a therapist if she had any information to help us in the neighborhood, but she said we aren’t allowed to divulge his history. I countered with; maybe you can once he hurts or kills someone.

I learned very quickly that owning a business brings in all types of people, including those who are very sick and terrifying.

I found out his father was a multi-millionaire, Leer Jet wealthy. Neighbors living in Matt's apartment told me his father paid the landlord a considerable amount of money over the usual rent to keep him there. No matter what scary incidents happened and were reported to the landlord, he did nothing. Tenants in that building were on edge whenever he was out walking.

Part two, next Thursday, October 5th

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