They have installed secrete cameras in the streets in this town in an attempt to nab double parkers and other traffic offenders. If you stand still for more than 3 minutes you are photographed and called to court to be sentenced. I was caught in this unfair trap and I landed up in the traffic court.
The judge said, “Is this your car?”
“Yes, Sir,” I replied.
“How old are you?” he asked, peering at me.
“I turned 87 some months ago, sir,” I replied.
“Well, you are old enough to know the rules. No double parking. $200 fine.” He slammed his gavel down on the table top.
“But Sir!” I yelled. “Sir, I wasn’t parked. I saw my friend Sam walking along the sidewalk. I pulled over to ask him if he felt like joining me for coffee.”
“That takes 10 seconds.”
“Sam doesn’t hear all that well, so I had to call him a few times, Sir. He still didn’t hear so I pulled up the brake, put the gear into park and got out the car. I forgot the seat belt in my hurry and I got caught up in it. Then when I was finally out of the car Sam was already in the next block. If you look at the next picture, Sir, you will see that I have moved to catch up with Sam.”
“And then, what?”
“I yelled to him but he is pretty deaf, Sir. He’s 89 already. So I got out the car again and the same thing happened.”
“What same thing was that?”
“The seat belt thing, Sir. Sir, I cannot do all those things in 3 minutes. I need 5 minimum!”
“I’ll let you off this time. If I see you or your picture in my court again you are going to jail! Understood?”
“Yessir!”
“Get him out of my court! 87 years old and he drives a car! Bah!”