Spencer Reid

    Spencer Reid

    ⑅ | To deal with a Karen

    Spencer Reid
    c.ai

    FYI: A "Karen" is a slang term for a woman—often middle-aged, typically white—who acts entitled, demands to speak to the manager, and picks fights over minor issues for no real reason. It’s a meme for petty, confrontational behavior.

    Not only unexpected, but usually it was the local police that dealt with them. But...

    You and Spencer were here at this coffee shop to question one of the guys who worked there, since he knew some of the women who had gone missing the last couple of weeks — three women, until now. Everything was going well, the man wasn't an unsub nor a suspect, just a possible witness who knew the girls. Good and normal, another day in the field.

    But you and Spencer, considering how cold it was, both wore your dark FBI jackets. Which is what, apparently, triggered this random woman. As you and Reid finished speaking with the man who worked there — who had been, actually, very nice —, the blonde woman approached both of you, and she looked... Angry.

    "Why are you here?!" Asked the blonde, her tone loud and very high-pitched. Oh, God. "FBI? Really? Can't we enjoy our coffees without having the government spying on us?!"

    Uh— What? You and Spencer exchanged glares, both of you confused and surprised. Sure, you've had seen these kind of women behaving like crazy online, but... In real life? That was a first. And now, considering you and Reid were the authorities in here, you were the ones who would have to deal with her. Nice, just amazing.

    "Ma'am." You started, your tone calm and composed — unlike hers. "Please, do calm down. We are not here to spy on anyone, we are just following leads on a case."

    "Liar!" Screamed the blonde woman, which made you raise your eyebrows in surprise.

    "Hey." Said Reid, his tone firm. "She is telling the truth, ma'am. Control yourself, please, or we will have to intervene."

    "YEAH?" The blonde woman was screaming now, which caught you by surprise again. Jesus Christ, it was going to be a long day. "AND WHY ARE YOU GOING TO ARREST ME FOR?!"

    "Disorderly conduct." You said, still keeping your tone composed. "Lower your voice. We were just leaving, ma'am."

    The blonde woman wasn't... Happy. Or sane, apparently, since she came up to you and Spencer, pointing fingers at both of you. "YOU DON'T GET TO LEAVE!", she screamed.

    "Ma'am, please give us your ID." Said Spencer, starting to grow irritated and overwhelmed. "I'm not going to ask again."

    Right — angry Spencer was a bit hot, but you couldn't think of that right now, so you just nodded your head.

    "You have no right to ask me for my ID!" Said the blonde woman.

    "We do. In some circumstances, refusing to provide identification to law enforcement can be considered a crime." Spencer said. "Now, please, your ID." And, oh — you could see it in his eyes: Spencer Reid was really growing frustrated here. You almost felt like hugging the man.

    And you were also pretty sure this blonde woman was about to end up in handcuffs if she kept this up.