Jim Thompson

Email Jim at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com

By Fos, the Rat

Bang! Bang! Sounds of sawing and hammering, dust everywhere.

Then Head Supreme Rat bangs her gavel, more of a thunk sound.

Head Supreme Rat, "Clerk, what is going on?"

"Well, your honor, you complained you couldn't get witnesses through our small door. Thought I would get it fixed."

Head Supreme Rat, "Ok, so we enlarge the door, our bench is only six inches high. How will that look?"

"Just trying to help ma'am."

"Never mind. I hear we have a settlement in the digester collapsing case. Ah, I see Ms. Rhodent is here."

Priscilla Rhodent, "Yes, your Honor, we have settlements on both the civil and criminal sides of this case. Only needs your approval."

"Well, don't keep us waiting..."

Rhodent, "On the criminal side, Mr. McGregor will be serving 15 years in the state penitentiary. This is thanks to the deposition we took from Mr. Kerry Dean. The sentence is based on five years on manslaughter for each of the Big Things killed. The sentences are to be served sequentially."

Head Supreme Rat looks up and down the bench, "Any objections? Seeing none, that is acceptable. What about the civil side?"

Rhodent, "Western Paper's insurance company has agreed to $15,000,000 for the Big Things. We didn't think that was enough. We pushed McGregor into bankruptcy and netted another $3,000,000."

"Are you satisfied with that?"

Rhodent, "I don't think we can get any more, so yes."

Head Supreme Rat, "All right. Court is Adjourned."

Be safe and we will talk next week--Fos.

Special note from Jim: Like all the Pulp Rats' stories, there is a bit of fiction added to keep me from being sued, but, dear reader, be assured there is an element of truth here.

Podcast of this column available here.

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