The Tale's End

by .....© 1997 by John F. Clennan, All Rights Reserved

The Author says of this story; The Tale's End "was written when I declared myself to have reached a new plateau in law where I had become such a sophisticated businessman that the yarns of my early days were a thing of the past.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn! As I, with insufferable arrogance ordered closed the book of Tales as a part of youthful inexperience, I was brewing a tale so great with so many shades of intrigue and betrayal, I am prohibited by court order from discussing it inside the Unites States of America.

The Tale's End ran first in a competition sponsored by Gunvor Skogsholm of Poetry Forum/Short Stories Bi Monthly (Erie, PA), but has never made print."

Are we the victims of the folly of our arrogance or the arrogance of our folly?

---

The Tale's End

From the series, Tales Out Of Court

for my skating partner Cherryl

by John Davis Collins - © 1997 by John F. Clennan - All Rights Reserved

Over the years, I decided that the great stories disappeared and, perhaps business became less of an adventure by avoiding interesting situations and colorful characters whenever possible. Yet twisting fate always sent us loose ends for surprises.

I was reviewing an extraordinary bill with Mary, a process server. The bill exceeded $500. Her cute round face flushed with success reflected that confidence she exuded when, on our first meeting, she dryly claimed to be the best in the business.

"The client wanted service at any cost," I noted, "but I have to explain how a bill ended up this high."

The case was routine and the controversy was small, but, although irate, the client tended to be fastidious about all details.

"You gave me a difficult serve," Mary replied with a smile.

So I had. I told her I judge people by their approach to difficult situations.

Mary continued, "The doctor lived in a high security development. I tried to jump the fence; armed security patrols the perimeter. Mail's dropped at a security desk. Cross out dressing up like the mail handler. I made an appointment."

Other process servers had tried all to an unsuccessful end. As insistent as the client was, the doctor was evasive.

"What's an appointment cost...$100 at most..." I waived a pencil imperiously. The client would have to end up covering expenses.

"Your previous process servers flopped trying to make appointments and they didn't fool the doctor's army of secretaries."

Many process servers had tried, but somehow had been screened out by the doctor's secretaries. The enemy, on its toes spotted counterfeits easily. Told of the failures, Mary chuckled, "Gumshoes. They fumble around and can't invent a good cover."

"I had to pick something," Mary said with a smile,..."No one would make up...Piles."

I laughed. Beforehand, Mary had promised me she could serve anyone, anytime she wanted. "I'm not threatening. I look like someone's long lost sister."

"Okay so we pay for the appointment."

"And my sister in law...," Mary raised a finger , "While the doctor was busy at end one end someone had to shove the summons in his face...You couldn't expect me ..."

I cut her off, I didn't want to hear her interpretation of the possible gymnastics of an end run play.

"That still doesn't end up at $550."

"The schmuck looked at the summons and swiped my clothes."

I raised my eyebrows.

"So I ended up walking back in the waiting room stark naked and stood at the counter until his nurse made up my bill..." Pointing to the bill nonchalantly, she added "I gave you a credit for the $25 my health insurance picked up."