DENVER, CO., USA. Mike Quintana can't stand graffiti. It makes him see red. Quintana owns Soan Lake Gym in Denver. Like other business owners there, he spends a lot of time trying to get rid of the graffiti on his walls. "It takes business owners all their lives to build something. Then punks come to the buildings and put their names all over the place. It's demoralizing," says Quintana. Quintana also tries to do away with graffiti in his neighborhood. A few times a week, he drives around looking for new graffiti. He paints over the graffiti on park benches, garbage cans, and walls.
One recent evening, Quintana heard a noise outside his gym and caught three teens red-handed. They were spray painting graffiti on his building. He pulled one teen into the gym, and the other two followed. There was a fight. Somehow Quintana got the upper hand and called the police, who put the teens in handcuffs. Then one of the teens threatened to kill Quintana. That was the last straw. Quintana hit the ceiling. He grabbed a can of red paint and sprayed two of the boys in the face.
Now Quintana is paying the price of losing his cool. He was arrested, convicted of assault, and sentenced to 40 hours of community service. "Two wrongs don't make a right," said the judge.
New Idioms and Expressions
- see red---be very angry
- can't stand something---dislike something very much
- get rid of something---remove; throw something away
- all over the place---everywhere
- do away with something---put an end to something; destroy something
- look for someone or sth---catch someone in the actof doing something wrong
- get the upper hand---get the power or advantage
- That's the last straw!---After so many problems, that's just too much to endure!
- hit the ceiling---become very angry
- pay the price for sth---receive punishment for sth
- lose one's cool---get angry; lose one's temper
Answer the Questions
About the Story
- How does Quintana feel about graffiti?
- What does he do about grafit on the gym wall?
- What does he do about graffiti in the neighborhood?
- What happened after Quintana heard a niseout side his gym?
- What was the last straw for him?
- What did he do when he hit the ceiling?
- What price is Quintana paying for losing his cool?
- Do you think Quintana deserved his punishment? Why or why not?
About You
- How do you feel about graffiti? Is it vandalism or street art, in your opinion?
- Is graffiti all over the place in your neighborhood? If yes, should you and your neighbors do something about it? What?
- What makes you lose your cool?
- What can't you stand?
- If you you could, what would you do away with in the world?
