The Parking Ticket

“You can’t be serious!” I belted. “$58 bucks? For what?” I snatched the ticket from underneath the front windshield wiper. It had probably been there overnight.
“What a joke.” I grumbled. The meter maid had scribbled ‘Blocking a pedestrian walkway’ above her initials.
I took a second look at my car.
I didn’t see it. Not even an inch.
There was a walkway, yes. Was I blocking it? No.
I refused to be victimized by this $58 dollar lie.

So I suppose it was pride and righteousness that brought me to where I sat today.
-District Court in downtown Baltimore.
My hearing notice told me to arrive no later than 1:30. I arrived at 1:05 just to be safe.
The three guards beside the metal detector laughed out loud.
“Court starts at 2,” one snickered.
“It’s also alphabetical,” the older guard chimed. “I hope your last name is ‘Adams’”.
They all laughed.
“It’s not. Not even close.” I resigned.
I might as well be named Zelda Zoolanders.

Surprisingly, the wait flew by. I don’t know if it was the people-watching or the text message feature on my new cell phone- but before I knew it the judge was already calling R’s.
I was an ‘S’.

George Ruiz told the court that his plates really hadn’t expired- he just needed to install the new ones. He flashed a pink form in front of the judge.
“Not guilty. Dismissed,” the voice chanted.
Wow. Not too tough.
I started to rethink the ‘My mother’s dog is dying’ story that I had planned to tell.

Kisha Samson was called up next. Kisha explained that the meter had expired in front of her Social Services class at college. She said that she lost track of time while she was trying to find work programs for Baltimore’s homeless population.
“Good one,” I thought. She should probably change her major to creative storytelling.
“Not guilty. Dismissed,” the voice chanted again.

Uh, oh- I was next. This could be tricky. Do I stick with the outrageous original plan….or follow in George’s footsteps with simple and to the point?
I followed George.
I talked about parking near the corner, but not too close to the pedestrian walkway. I explained to the judge that I knew this because I was a former Girl Scout and would never overlook the importance of crossing the street safely.
The judge looked mildly entertained.
“Not guilty. Dismissed.”

I couldn’t believe my ears!
Really?! Was it that he believed me? Or did he like the Girl Scout part of the story?
I didn’t know. And I don’t really care.
I think in the 2 hours that I sat inside the cold and hollow courtroom I learned something about life:

If you stand up for what you think is right- with a reason- people will respect you.
No matter what the violation.