2001-06-01 - 7:46 p.m.

Bad Paper

Oh well.

A couple days ago I mentioned that my across-the-street neighbors bounced a check on me. If been trying to catch them on their way in or out, but no luck.

The thing that started me trying to hunt them down was seeing a rental van out in front of their house. I noticed one there again today. However, it didn't look like they were dropping something off. Along with the driver was a cranky manager-looking type guy in a tie, carrying a clipboard. It suddenly occurred to me that other people might want to talk with this guy about money.

Out in front of the house a couple of workman were demolishing the cement stairs leading into the house. This was probably a good thing, they were crumbling and unsafe. I saw a guy who looked like the man of the house talking to them. However, when I got there it turned out not to be him, but a friend of his. One of the workman suggested that I could go around back - he thought they were home.

I thanked the workman. I almost said: "I hope he isn't paying you with a check," but I held my tongue.

The back door was wide open so I went inside. The door to the first floor apartment was open and it was obvious that nobody lived there - it was still being renovated. So I climbed the winding stairs to the second floor.

I'd been in this neighborhood nearly 20 years, but this was the first time I’d ever been inside this house even though I've probably seen it nearly every day. It was dark and gloomy in the stairwell; it was mainly unfinished.

I got to the third floor landing. Looking behind me out the grimy windows I saw kids' clothes hanging on a washline. The door to the second floor was locked, but I could hear people on the other side of it. I also noticed something hanging from the doorknob.

It was a little pre-printed notice from the rental place, saying that they wanted their stuff back and would be back later to get it. Written on the notice in angry block letters were the words "Bad Check" and "Legal Action."

So it was like I thought. They'd been writing a lot of bad checks.

I turned around and went down the stairs again. There was no point in talking to them - they'd just put me off with another bunch of lies. If they are hiding from the furniture rental guys, they sure as hell aren't going to pay off the comic store guy.

In some ways I feel sorry for them, because they're a family and they can't make ends meet. However, they ripped me off and that instantly dries up any sympathy I have for them.

Now I have to start the long slow process of protesting the check and getting the law involved. By the time the whole song and dance is completed it could be snowing again. I only wish I was kidding.