Uh, oh!

I was out on my assigned beat one morning and I received a phone call..from my mommy. I pulled over next to the curb. I can't remember if the phone call was important or not but I had a minute or two to say hi and how you doin'. I had my mom on speaker. I often look around, in my mirrors and such and sure enough, a citizen approached my window. I rolled it down four inches..he had a ticket in his hand.

The Citizen with a deep and poignant voice: "Are you meter maid #5?

Me: "No."

The deep voiced citizen: "Well meter maid #5 gave me this ticket (places it against the safety barrier also known as the thin glass window) and I want to ask him why. I have been driving around here looking for him"

Me looking at the date/info on the ticket: "Um..sir, that ticket was written two weeks ago."

My Mommy, heard through speaker phone: "uh ohhh!"

Me to my mommy: "Mom, I will have to call you back."

Now you would be wondering as I was, why the citizen was driving around for two weeks looking for meter maid #5. You might be feeling a sense of panic starting to rise within yourself, as I did. You might also hear a small but distinct voice in your head saying, "ohhh fuck." Again, as I did.

As I sit there, the few brain cells I have racing and running into each other, I try to come up with a plan and or answer to this determined citizen. I told the citizen the truth. "Sir we have different beats every day. You might not see meter maid #5 for another 2 weeks. More importantly that ticket is going to double in one week and you might want to take care of that ticket today." The citizen went on to explain how he doesn't deserve the ticket and why it was paramount that he finds meter maid #5. It was paramount that I would be able to leave this area/citizen with all my fingers and other assorted appendages. (Well, I felt a little concerned)

I had my finger poised to push the emergency call button which sends...my...what.. dispatcher into a panic? (Never had to push the "Panic Button.")

I restated my concern to the citizen that he needs to contact the meter maid main office as soon as he can. If he wishes to question the ticket. I explained to the citizen that I am helpless, I mean, I am unable to help him with a ticket when issued by anyone.

After a long pause, the citizen walked back to his car and drove away.

As a fellow carbon based lifeform, we all have similar desires and one is that we want our questions answered. Sometimes it may take two weeks to hunt down an answer. And we might still be left with questions.