Video Trek III: The Search For Dad - Epilogue...

After I left Dad's office, I made my way back to the place where my truck was parked. Keep in mind that the campus police had been informed to NOT ticket anyone in that tiny lot during the event.

Someone obviously did not get that memo. I had been from the venue to Dad's office and back in ten minutes and much to my surprise, I discovered a parking ticket stuffed directly behind my windshield wiper.

"What?!?!?! Feckin' Hell!" I growled as my eyes scanned the area. The university Goon Squad had slapped that ticket no less than three minutes ago, so I knew they had to be close by.

I drove around and found the parking patrol around the corner and I slowed down to give them a piece of my mind.

"Oi! You!" I hollered in order to get his attention.

"Can I help you?" the guy asked in a rather officious tone.

I shook the ticket out of the window at the guy. "Yeah, my name is Rob (last name). You ticketed me over at the (same last name) house where I was for an event celebrating the retirement of my Dad, C (last name)! We were, as Dr. (last name)'s family, supposed to not be ticketed during the event, courtesy of the College. The Dean's office sent y'all a notice on that."

Parking guy scratched his chin. "Oh, really? Huh. Your pickup was the only car in the lot when I came by."

"Everyone left five minutes before that. I was helping my Dad for a few minutes in his office, which was no less than ten minutes ago. I was only away for ten minutes and already a ticket?"

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. You have to file an appeal on Tuesday at the Parking Control office," he replied, mentioning that once my truck was 'in the system,' there wasn't a thing in the world that he could do about it.

*le sigh*

I pulled over to the parking control office to see if they were open. I called the family real quick from a pay phone to let them know where I was. I had no idea where Dad was, but surely I didn't want to pester him with this when he was busy saying goodbye to his office and heading home himself.

Flash forward to thirty minutes later...

I arrive at the family compound to see my dad coming out of the house. "Those bastards actually gave you a ticket?" he gruffed.

"Yeah, can you believe that? I know that we were covered to park there. I realize I drive something that looks like a college kid's car, but c'mon now..."

Dad just stood there, shaking his head in disbelief. "Damned ridiculous if you ask me. Give me the paper, we'll just take care of this..."

I couldn't help but chuckle and feel sorry for whomever answers the phone on Tuesday mornings. My dad NEVER used his influence for personal gain, and not a one of us ever tried to take advantage of his position, but this whole thing just had us chuckling off and on.

After all, they said I could park there...

Geo. Harrison once sang that "All Things Must Pass," and so it is with this project. It's been a hell of a ride and soon I shall wrap things up and seek out my next major creative venture.

I can say that it has been a lot of fun and I want to thank y'all for braving through reams and reams of update material. An adventure isn't nearly as fun unless you have someone to tell it to and for that chance, I am also grateful.

-Fin