c. 2025 Rod Ice
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(6-25)
Fortrell Koch had made a career of being an expert on the law, and providing advice to others for a reasonable fee. He did not care to be in the spotlight, himself. Or, to become wealthy at the expense of others. Yet now, as he stood before the adjudicator who had demanded his appearance, a hint of regret underpinned his feigned veneer of professional conduct.
“Your Honor, I am here once again, on behalf of the PAM group of investors...”
Judge Alten Sleeman was courteous, but irritated. Before speaking, he reviewed documents that related to a number of evictions that were being carried out by the county sheriff and his deputies. The large stack of paperwork seemed to make him furious.
“Sir, you are still employed by the Pemmican group from California? And are their only representative in Ohio?”
The attorney nodded with a slight mood of embarrassment being obvious.
“Yes indeed. You have had me in this chamber before...”
The seasoned justice snorted, and put aside the considerable pile of legal notices.
“I have been informed that Evergreen Estates has no on-site management, and no regional office for their owners? Is that correct?”
Koch unbuttoned his suit jacket. The room seemed unduly hot.
“Your Honor, my employers have implemented a new plan to increase efficiency within their ranks. Something based on strategies being used by Elon Musk and President Trump, to cut waste, fraud, and abuse. Our lone office closed, recently...”
The judge nearly threw his gavel while signaling displeasure.
“I DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT POLITICS, MR. KOCH! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
The legal representative felt his stomach gurgle from a surge of digestive acid.
“I apologize if my statement was in any way inappropriate...”
Sleeman pointed with the intensity of a soldier carrying a sword into battle.
“I HAVE A DOZEN EVICTIONS HERE, SOMEHOW ARRANGED BY THE PEMMICAN GROUP WITH ANOTHER OFFICER OF THE COURT. BUT WE HAVE NO CONTACT AT THE PARK TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND EVIDENCE REGARDING THESE ACTIONS! NO DOCUMENTATION OF PROCEDURES THAT WERE FOLLOWED, PRIOR TO THE ORDERS BEING DRAFTED! NOT A SINGLE CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE FROM CALIFORNIA!”
Attorney Koch bowed his head, and groaned audibly.
“If you read through all of the papers, they are complete, and legally sound...”
The veteran arbiter slammed his bench with a violent swing of the gavel.
“Mr. Koch, you were directed to bring me a report stating your efforts to address the numerous complaints against that village of mobile homes in Thompson Township. Do you recall my instruction being given? And yet I have received nothing in response!”
The lawyer tapped his wingtip shoes with nervous energy. He was humbled and unprepared.
“Your Honor, I am merely a spokesperson for the PAM organization. I do their bidding, and follow their directions. They have given me nothing regarding any action plan that might be used in the future...”
Judge Sleeman shook with the outrage of someone who could not believe what he was hearing.
“NOTHING? I GAVE YOU 30 DAYS TO PROVIDE A REPORT, AND THEY GAVE YOU NOTHING? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS REPRESENTS CONTEMPT OF MY COURT, SIR?”
The professional legal steward loosened his necktie. He had broken in out in a sweat.
“I certainly have no intention of engaging in that kind of disreputable conduct, let me assure you. The owners who retain me as their representative have gone on an efficiency drive not only here at the trailer community, but also at home on the west coast. I have not been able to contact anyone directly for the past week...”
The seasoned adjudicator hammered his gavel until it nearly split in half.
“THEN IT IS SO ORDERED ON THIS DAY, THAT ALL EVICTIONS FROM EVERGREEN ESTATES WILL CEASE IMMEDIATELY, UNTIL I HAVE SATISDACTION FROM THE PEMMICAN GROUP, REGARDING THEIR LOCAL OPERATION! AND I WANT AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THEY HAVE SHOWN CONTEMPT FOR THE AUTHORITY OF THIS COURT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN GEAUGA COUNTY! I DEMAND THAT THEY SEND SOMEONE FROM THEIR CALIFORNIA OFFICES HERE, IMMEDIATELY!”
The lawyer clutched at his belly. He wanted to vomit.
“Your Honor, with respect, I can convey your message but cannot effect changes on my own...”
More pounding of the wooden bench filled their ears. The judge had reached a point of emotional distress.
“I WILL NOT HAVE THIS COURT TREATED IN SUCH A CAVALIER FASHION, MR. KOCH! THIS IS A BODY OF LAW AND MUST BE RESPECTED BY EVERYONE! TO ALLOW THIS BEHAVIOR WOULD BE AN INVITATION FOR ANARCHY TO REIGN! I WILL NOT HAVE IT! THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT STATE OF OHIO WILL NOT HAVE IT! LET YOUR EMPLOYERS KNOW THAT THEY HAVE MET A BRICK WALL OF OPPOSITION HERE! THERE WILL BE NO EVICTIONS, NO LAWSUITS OVER UNPAID RENT, OR OTHER ACTIONS OF ANY KIND, UNTIL WE GET SATISFACTION! ANY FURTHER DELAY IS UNACCEPTABLE! YOU WILL ABIDE BY MY JUDGMENT! IT IS SO ORDERED, AT THIS HOUR, ON THIS DAY!”
The bailiff, who had been out of sight and silent throughout the proceeding, suddenly appeared and gestured toward the exit door. He did not attempt to be polite.
On the sidewalk outside, Attorney Koch lit a cigarette. His first in many weeks. Both hands were trembling. He dialed a number in his cellphone contacts list, and listened as the call went immediately to voicemail.
“You have reached the headquarters of Pemmican Asset Management. We take pride in representing business clients, and notable citizens of all kinds. At the tone, please leave your name, number, and reason for making contact. Thank you and have a great day!”
The legal scholar sighed heavily, and fumbled with his smoke.
“Look, this is it, I think. You’ve stalled these Buckeye rubes for long enough with the efficiency drive. Something has to give one way or another. I’ve never seen a judge get so out of sorts! I am guessing that the next step will be to freeze our holdings in this county. That’ll mean no revenue from the park. On its own, not so consequential maybe, but that mindset could find its way to the capital, in Columbus. They might put a lock on all of our properties, from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Are you listening? We’ve got to do something. And we need to do it right now!”
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