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A favorite Richard Burton movie I enjoy is Where Eagles Dare.

This entry is not about that.

The other favorite of all his films is Beckett. This coming from a professed Protestant enjoying a Catholic themed biography. Almost as strange as thoroughly enjoying sports MOVIES but having absolutely no favorite team in any sport and could less who wears expensive rings. The Super Bowl is tolerated only to get to the special episode of whatever hot series I may be watching. Have heard a distubing rumor House will follow January's outing and will be upset if the VCR misses a moment of that.

The long suffering wife bought me House Season 3 tonight (mostly because I asked). Her mission was to find Wild Wild West season 3 but failing that House was the next best thing. Not to spoil any one on the west coast but my favorite candidate did not make the cut for the final round of elimination as to who House would retain on staff. The wife is very tired of my mantra "If I like (fill in the blank) it's a goner." This was first noticeable in the lates 60s/early 70s when Pizza Spins and Bugles snack food was introduced at about the same time. While we liked Bugles Pizza Spins won hands down--for about a year. Then off the market. No Bugle is chewed these days without going back in time to tastebud heaven days. Sigh.

Now Beckett has a line or two worth remembering but the one I picked up on was the mother of King Whichever He Was listening to said son go on and on about how promoting his best buddy Beckett to a job that carries some responsibility has changed him. They just don't party together anymore.

Mom--like most moms--gets to the heart of the manner with: "Beckett, ALWAYS Beckett."

Beckett doesn't survive much longer in the film.

Leastways that's how this impressionable 17 year old remembers it. Haven't seen it in years but the catch phrase would be used in various ways over the years.

"Headaches, ALWAYS headaches." (to the wife when a certain subject comes up).

"Taxes, ALWAYS taxes." Well if you get behind what do you expect?

"Car repairs ALWAYS car repairs." Usually occurs when a financial light can be seen at the end of the tunnel.

You get the drift.

Monday night we had about 370 calls for the day when I left the AAA Call Center at 11 pm. I had been blackmailed by a station on Sunday. Said station went to an area of the highway approximately 10 minutes from where I live to winch a car out of a ditch as called in by the highway patrol. Ticket said car was 70 feet from highway. Station claims over 100 feet (which is a general cutoff distance for us--based on reaching member from a paved surface. This particular station wanted (and unfortnately got) $150 to pull him out.

On a Sunday night with police practicing ballet movements with their billy clubs while waiting for the tow service I didn't dare surrender the truck on hand and then try to get a station to do it for the peanuts we pay--guaranteed not to be successful and add a two hour further wait with no results. Claire was actually handling this but I was giving advice as senior dispatcher on board. I told said station AAA would NOT pay $150 for this and member was on his own. Hated having to say that under those conditions. However if station charged the member he could send the bill in and maybe get SOME of his money back.

It got done but I was not a happy camper. Worse was is that this is a station that RARELY gouges us. I reposition him on the respect chart I keep in the brain cells and sigh.

Monday Manager Debbie validates my decision but puts an end to my dreams of 100 feet being a cutoff. If they are AAA plus members distance is a moot point. I remind myself she hasn't been 'in the field' in quite awhile and retain my veneer of quiet assent. Member called in promptly about his money. I've learned NOT to ask about settlements. I'm still carrying a grudge over $350 spent on a NON-member who gave us a wrong address in Toledo and somehow felt that was still our fault. I would not have paid him a dime. Oh for the days when I used to get cars impounded--yes I really did but the circumstances had to be severe and borderline crime being involved.

My good but unexpected and very reluctant deed on Monday should have been a no-brainer.

John Doe authorizes Judy Outof touch and Aunt Flossie a tow from Dayton to Eaton. Please hurry member's granddaughte(?)--never did find out which-- is diabetic. This used to enrage me. Diabetics without their medicine when travelling a fair distance until Tonya pointed out some medicines needed to be refrigerated. (NOTE: Had a diabetic sister-in-law since deceased found three days after she died for not getting her medicine--brother and she had been divorced by then but she was always good to me the four or five times I met her when I would condescend to enter New York on military leave.)
So far so good. They had the good fortune to be in an area that wasn't too busy considering the work load and the wait would be nowhere near the two hour wait we were cheerfully informing our members fresh from their turkey holidays.

But---

Upon arrival there is a problem. Someone forgot to mention that aunt Flossie is in a wheel chair and is in competition for a Roseanne/Rosie O'Donnell look alike contest. Just how does one climb up into a flatbed with grace and dignity. Contrary to popular belief the tow drivers enjoy looking but they dislike touching the females passengers they have. Well aware of the liability/sue happy mentality going on in these degenerate days.

The station driver calls his dispatcher. His dispatcher can't wait to drop the lead weight in my lap. They have no one to come get them. About a 30-40 miles tow involved here. I know the word taxi comes out of my gnashing jaws with a fury. For once I don't bother to find out which moron forgot to mention the special circumstances. I've had members wait two hours and THEN mention their oxygen tank is almost empty where is the truck please.
The good news a regular tow truck can make the trip and Flossie can get into that vehicle at least. Current station was using only flatbeds that night.

I cancel the call. Do another ticket and send a different station (who gets there in 20 mins.) Flossie gets loaded up and all ends well.

Except in a moment of pique I do make the cancelled ticket count on the member after all. Someone should have mentioned the circumstances that would have led to the proper truck being sent out the first time. I think the wheelchair at least could have been mentioned. We try not to dwell on weight issues. Am kicking myself for one thing. Forgot to mark the new ticket that Judy Outoftouch and Flossie got a courtesy call and if they want anymore they have join AAA. Darn left that barn door open for a rematch.