writing – Shocked in the Suburbs

Kona Poems

I also dabbled in writing poetry. A local group held weekly readings in a small coffee shop. They called their group “Kona Poems.” I’d taken a college course on Geoffery Chaucer and his hilarious (and, some would say, deeply religious) Canterbury Tales. I decided to go and try my skills with the locals. The venueContinue reading “Kona Poems”

Rehab 3

Checked in to rehab again. Five nights a week for the first five weeks, or something like that. Check in, get your sample cup, go pee, turn in the cup, sit down, wait for the others to trickle in, no pun intended. Tonight our rehab leader was looking quite attractive, to me. I’m heterosexual. SheContinue reading “Rehab 3”

Sexing the Mice

I met Hans the next day at Room 201 on the second floor of the Annexation Building. Charlie Deckard, the mouse sexer, was with him. We entered the room. The mice were already there, in cages on a couple of carts. “Alright, let’s do this” said Charlie. “Hans and Justin, just feed me the cages.Continue reading “Sexing the Mice”

Youth Sports

My kids played several sports, with varying amounts of success. One of the early fails was a town judo league run in the community center; the same building as the library and courthouse. Son 1 was about 5 at this time, and my wife, Jaime, was not working, so she brought him to the practiceContinue reading “Youth Sports”

Going On Record

I shared my account of my arrest, the same one I had sent to McMurphree, with Mr. Phycks. Just as he had asked for the day he took over my case before Judge Judgeson, Mr. Fix had been granted a “Probable Cause” hearing. It was the greatest thing I could have hoped for. In effect,Continue reading “Going On Record”

Cervantes Testimony

“Please bring in the next witness, Bailiff” said the Judge. “Mr. Underbred, you may return to the witness room.” “The next witness is Deputy Eduardo Cervantes” announced the Bailiff. Deputy Cervantes took the stand, and I recognized him as the deputy who arrived on a motorcycle. He was also the one who spoke to meContinue reading “Cervantes Testimony”

a cup of coffee

I called Attorney Phycks and left a message. “Hi this is Justin Marlin, blah blah blah, I wanna sue the County Sheriff for excessive use of force.” His paralegal returned my call shortly thereafter and we set up an appointment. His office was in downtown Roquefort. I found parking and rode the elevator up toContinue reading “a cup of coffee”

Workplace Encounters

I returned to work after court that morning. I’d had a busy week, and hadn’t talked much to my coworkers about my family and legal troubles, but after their initial surprise at the situation we began to talk a bit. Pierre, the ex-marine, asked me about my arrest. “Well,” I said, “when they first arrestedContinue reading “Workplace Encounters”