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One observation I forgot to remark on about arriving in New York state is the policy of any and all motorists to tailgate with confidence in my ability to enjoy the recognition. My usual remedy was employed often--let up on the accelerator and see who's paying attention. Worked out all right with nary a road rage incident. A brake light would have been flaunting the challenge while I can't be condemned for the sudden decrease of space between armored nuts and bolts machines.

Friday morning came too quickly. I arose at 7 am, cleaned up and was almost finished reading Spurgeon for the day when to my secret surprise nephew Stephen is ready to roll out the door at about 7:50 am. I had him wait to finish a page or two being assured we could still make it for the 9 am court hearing and we are on the move at 8:05.

I was in rare form. Having survived a military hurry up and wait life for over 21 years I knew the morning was a goner as far as sitting in the bleachers and I was prepared for the circus ahead. The whited sepulchre joined hands with the judgemental Pharisee and my only nagging concern was whether I would have to figure out the GPS device I had rented to escape Rochester if the dear nephew was to taken into durance vile.

Stephen was a bit nervous. He was wearing his lucky crucifix which left him open to my scorn and laughter. I reminded him God was a bit smarter then that and wasn't it just a wee bit late to be thinking about divine intervention?! Pharisee indeed. We arrive at about 8:45and he delighted to see the courtroom barely filled as we sign in. He was under the impression first signed, first served. I had reasonable doubts.

The next two hours and 25 minutes became a highlight of the day. The judge looked to be late 30s and had a sense of humor to boot and took the time to talk to everyone at their level. His rebukes were pointed but delivered mildly which made it all the better to observe. I could listen to him all day.

Stephen was not represented by private counsel so he went way down the pecking order. First up were the lawyers with their private clients, then the convicts, the traffic cases and finally the miscellaneous (which Stephen was a part of).

No particular order some of the more interesting cases:

A very small petite very lovely lady could not have been over 5 ft 1 inch appearing for spousal abuse and a lifting of the restraining order. Skinny on the sexy side I might add for emphasis. Her husband---quietly sitting and trying not to draw attention to himself---by appearance easily hireable for any bouncer job for any bar of any type. Hulk Hogan's kid brother. I almost bust out laughing.

One fellow up on burglary charges (there were several of these) had his mother there speaking on his behalf. The judge told him he was one of the lucky ones--rarely does anyone appear for the convicts and he felt that was part of the problem. Well meant and well said.

Another young man had his whole family supporting him. The wrong way. This reprobate did his magic a week or two after turning 19 and was also in need of drug rehabilitation (charge was burglary and damaging). His family had hoped to sneak him through on a juvie record. The judge made no promises and the kid could not believe he still had to stay in jail for the dry-out period. The judge informed him for starters he was alive in jail. That was a start and his family was there--that was another. The kid had that entitled air about him that makes the Pharisee reach for a stone and another one after the first toss. He will continue to break hearts I have no doubts.

Another fellow seemed to be between appearances. He stated he would be living in New York City very soon. I think it was a probation issue. Not quite sure. The fun part came when the judge told him he would not think twice about sending two law enforcement types for a weekend in New York to drag his carcass back for his next appearance. In fact they would leaving on a Wednesday. I love an official not afraid to spend some bucks, give some police officers a mini-vacation just to prove a point. This fellow shut up in a hurry.

One lady showed paperwork proving she was trying to comply with her probation criteria and was duly praised and encouraged.

Of all the convicts that had cuffs on in front only one lady meekly appearing on a drunk and disorderly wore cuffs behind her. I had a moment of pity for this situation but then memories of the Air Force days and a few drunk ladies I had to deal with put that sympathy on hold. She was given a fine.

One fellow was a victim of bad record keeping. His fine/offense had crossed the mail or something and he was let loose and some money returned.

Finally Stephen is called to the bench. The assigned lawyer is attempting to get the case dismissed due to lack of speedy trial citing two Supreme Court decisions. Stephen's charge was well over a year ago. The prosecution brings up the DUI charge and a failure to appear in court (He was in jail by that time). The judge decides he needs to read the SC decisions first and postpones until August.

Done in two minutes and we are out of there. Stephen is ticked about it. He was hoping for a dropped charge and now he's at the mercy of my sister for another ride to court--which was why my homecoming was such a blessing. Taxicab driver/chaufeur the career possibilities are being considered. I do look good in a cap.

Now I get to go to the comic shops. The first one is near a border line drug trafficing area but it's daytime so shouldn't be too big a problem. Stephen is on the chunky size and looks menacing in the appropriate conditions. Too bad he's a bit of a chicken and I'm not much better but I get my sour look going for me. The store is large and a huge selection and no interest from the owner in what I might be interested in. I raid his Avengers quickly and am highly annoyed at not finding Phantom Strangers form the 70s--I only need four issues out of 41. I finally confront the keeper of the dreamfile who informs me he has almost nothing before 1980. In comic book land 1980 is three years ago. Sigh. I still get about a hundred dollars worth and we proceed to the other more reputable store. This guy has old stuff but he doesn't keep it in the store.

What?? Consternation and irritation I was counting on at least one Red Ryder or Dick Tracy. The good stuff is on mail order or e-bay. Sorry. Even Tim of the Bookery had warned me of this sorry state of affairs. I add three more years to finish the Avengers based on my original prospectus. This fellow did have Avengers #100 however. But wanted $50. I balked-convinced I could get Tim to let me have one for $30. By the end of the trip I was at 303 out of 503 with 200 to go.

With the other NY mission accomplished lunch is next and I buy two little ornaments for Mom to take her as I am now going to see her for probably the last time.

This visit goes a bit better in the identity area but there were two incidents of note. At one point Mom begins telling Stephen about being in Dallas TX when President Kennedy was assassinated. In fact they were two blocks away. I sit up abruptly and take note. My eyebrows raise high and I bite the next sentence off. My parents were home with me in New York that sad November and we watched the TV coverage. Have absolutely no idea where this fantasy came from. My parents have the Litnet attitude on politics--not to be discussed. Good thing I don't care. I let it go but share this tidbit with my sister later.

I had concerns about Mom holding the ornaments when I gave them to her but Stephen told me she holds babies well and there is that one picture on her wall. I should stop listening to him. He's right only a third of the time. She starts to drop them before taking them out of the bag and they end up in her snack drawer. I never get to see her look at them. I warn Gary about them for the next visit.

The other incident is her talking about being left alone at Dad's funeral because my niece's high school graduation party was the same weekend. I was there for the funeral--the party was the night before. Near as I could tell Mom was getting a reasonable amount of care but she is after all hard to please. With this glimmer of the harpy coming alive I decide to leave before my Drama Queen dredged up old grievamces. I kiss her farewell--I am offered none in return and try not to take that personally. She is hard to leave as she is so bored she will talk forever. Not as good on the phone. I leave with some regrets but a sense of relief that it went much better then I expected.

On the way to the nursing home Stepehen pointed out a park service area with bathrooms and all and innocently stated rattlesnakes had been found sunning themselves there.

Recently.

Why he would risk me cracking up a perfectly innocent rental car with that kind of conversation was beyond me but I covered my fear of armless reptiles rather well I thought. I'm informed by my co-workers that Ohio has many snakes and Fairborn is filled with them and I now plan on putting Old Snapjaws in front of me anytime I'm in the back yard here on out.

We arrive back at my sisters. My niece is there with her new baby and we talk a bit. He is really cute. Michelle is just a tad nervous about being a mother as well she might. I applaud her honesty hoping it will serve her in future.

Elaine has left money for Stephen and I to see The Dark Knight. A reward for the court chaperoning. We go we enjoy. Nuff said.

Saturday I return to Ohio just in time for the Bookery to close and lo and behold Tim finally has the paperback movie edition of Gorgo for sale and I snap it up. My Gorgo collection is finally complete. One DVD of the movies, 23 regular comics, three special editions and a very hard to find toy from e-bay Steve B. the former manager got for me a few years back. As usual Tim thought I already had the book. I inform him there are many things still to acquire. A collector nevers really finishes.

By the grace of God it was a wonderful trip but was glad to be back. Now the time to think about Litnet was ahead but getting back took longer then I expected.

NEXT: The Devil Child Returns with very unexpected results.