Unbuckled

The other day I had to go to downtown Elyria.  I don’t often go downtown, I usually drive around it on Route 57.  As I was getting close to town my phone rang.  I had the phone in my front pocket and I had to unbuckle my seatbelt to get it out.  I looked at the number and didn’t recognize it so I hit the speakerphone button and the conversation went thusly:

Me: Hello?

Them: Alice?

Me: Do I sound like Alice?

Them: No, is Alice there?

Me:  I’m sorry but you have the wrong number.

Them:  Ok, tell Alice to call me.

Me: Will do.

I tossed the phone on the seat next to me and just as I was about to rebuckle my seatbelt lights and sirens went off.  I looked in the mirror and it was Elyria’s finest.  I pulled over and the cop told me that the speed changed from thirty-five to twenty-five so I was going nine miles over the speed limit.

He asked if I’d had any tickets lately and I said no.  He went to his patrol car and a few minutes later told me he wasn’t going to give me a ticket for the speeding but instead one for not wearing my seat belt.  I tried to talk my way out but to no avail.  Oh well.

I drove to the courthouse to get it over with and was told it was $111.oo!!  I was friendly so the guy at the counter told me that it was the lowest ticket they had.  That just getting in an accident cost $219.00.  I was surprised and annoyed.

Here comes a political rant.  Stop reading now if you don’t want to read it.