Day 91 October 31, 2001

So there I was working in the cabin. I hear the phone ring and go to pick it up. It's Laurie, but before I start talking I glanced toward the well truck and see the well guy and his goon trying to take it. I tell her I'll call her back and walk down the driveway and he starts walking up. "Do you have my money?" I ask. "Nope" he says. "Well I'm calling the cops then. Unless you want to settle this some other way." I say, hoping he will opt for a brawl over police. "I want my $%## money back you *&@#@! Three months of lies and excuses from you is enough!" I scream at him. "I never lied to you" he says. The gall! I've lost count of how many times he said he would be here to drill and never showed. "Listen to me old man, I want my money back or you aren't getting your truck back!" "Don't call me old man! I may be old but I can take you!" he yells back. "Bring it on %$#@!!" I taunt. He turns and walks to his pickup. As he is walking away he says with a smirk "read your contract, you don't get the money back". (The contract says deposits aren't refundable after 10 days, but he has clearly broken that contract by failing to drill my well in a reasonable amount of time). I head to the camper and call the cops. They show up and I explain the situation: he cashed my check 3 months ago and I've heard nothing but excuses since, he says he's coming but he doesn't, blah..blah. The cops send me to a neutral corner and go over to him. He gives them the same old song and dance, I'm getting my rig Friday, blah..blah. He says he will drill my well. I tell the cops there is no way he will drill my well because I don't trust him and I'm certainly not going to pay a person I don't trust $9.00 a foot to drill a well when I have no way to verify how far he has drilled. He could tell me 1200 feet and it could be 400 feet. I tell the cops that is absurd to me. I want my money back. They tell me I can't hold his truck hostage. I ask why can he hold my money hostage. They aren't interested in any of it. They just don't want me to hit him. The well guy agrees, in front of 3 cops to refund my money. I say "when?" He says "Friday." The cops tell me to come down and file a complaint against him and take him to court. I tell them I will wait until Friday to see if he shows with the money. I know he won't. The cops make me put the ignition switch back in and allow him to take his truck. I watch as my bargaining power drives away and the cops leave.