//------------------------------// // The Judgement of the Court // Story: THE FEAST OF HARVEST HOME, a Grumpy Goat // by De Writer //------------------------------// As they all cleared the last small step onto my ledge, AJ burst out, “Ah thought that our contract said that we keeps Sweet Apple Acres and gets money too!” I was in my normal, invisible spirit body with my bare bone skull floating where my head should be and in fact is. I smiled as I replied, “It does indeed say that. So what has twisted your tail, AJ?” She snapped, “This!” AJ slapped down a fairly thick legal document. “We was served a notice of Seizure by Eminent Domain on Sweet Apple Acres! They’s going to take our farm for a pittance!” My glamored snake like eyes glowed even more and my smile turned feral as I opened the Document of Seizure. AJ saw it and demanded, “How kin you do that? Bone like your skull should not be able to show any expression! And what has you all grinnin’ like that!” I looked up, my expression changing to injured innocence. “It says that you are going to get 25,000 golden bits from Sir Snobbin Realty acting as agents for the Royal Road Commission. That is a very useful sum of money, isn’t it?” Big Mac slitted his eyes as he pointed out, “Eyup. Not much good to us if we looses the farm, though.” Coalsmoke suddenly smiled too. “I don’t know how he is working it, AJ, but Sweet Apple Acres is safe. You are totally protected by Grumpy’s allergy.” Apple Bloom stared up at my skull simply floating in the air above my ledge. She shook her head and asked in a puzzled voice, “What can he possibly be allergic to? I mean, I heard that he’s dead.” Clarence smiled gently at Apple Bloom as he explained, “You are correct. Grumpy is dead. What he is allergic to is giving out refunds!!” I asked AJ, “Didn’t you just pay your taxes yesterday? Was Sir Snobbin in the Tax and Assessment Office too?” AJ nodded sourly. “He was. Making a big ol fuss about his estate being taxed too high.” She paused, a puzzled expression on her face. “How in tarnation did you know that?” With a clatter of bone on stone, Clarence collapsed in a laughing fit! He was pounding the stone of my ledge with his forehoof! He finally got out, “Oh Grumpy! That is priceless! I love it!” Calming himself, Clarence advised, “In legal matters, Grumpy is slightly slipperier than a greased weasel! Whatever he tells you to do, do it exactly like he says to.” Turning to Coalsmoke, he smiled and requested, “My dear, would you please bring out the serving trolley? Grumpy made breakfast for four. He and I have already eaten.” She ducked inside my iron and steel front door and wheeled out the trolley. Grinning from ear to ear, she offered, “Grumpy made his famous Clover Top Scramble for you! These apple fritters on the side look like the ones that you make, AJ!” She took one look and replied, “They is. Ah made them for Grumpy 'bout two days agone.” Coalsmoke served and they all fell to. As she gathered the last of the dishes to take back in to my kitchen area, she commented, “Are you going to go with them, Grumpy? We can read later. I think that this is too important to leave to chance.” I nodded and offered brightly, “Right! I will just go on in and park my skull, then we can all go. I guarantee that this will be fun.” The Apples, Coalsmoke and I made a merry troop as we strolled down my trail and through the woods to Ponyville. Clarence stayed behind, saying only, “I have a bit of business of my own that I need to take care of.” As we neared the town hall and Judge Coldheart’s courtroom, I reminded the Apples, “NEVER say Sweet Apple Acres. Just say, The Property. That is very important. We are going to accept this seizure since it is for the common good but we feel that the price is far too low. Do you understand? Be glum. “Also, DO NOT take a check or draft. The order says payment in gold and that is what we are demanding. Checks or drafts can be stopped before they are cashed.” We waited in the audience while Judge Coldheart dealt with petty matters first. Most were simply ordering fines to be paid. A few were led out to serve short sentences and three were released as innocent of the charges. The Bailiff called, “The Judge will now hear civil matters with no contest. First on the docket is a case of Eminent Domain involving the Apple family and Sir Snobbin Realty, representing the Royal Road Commission.” That being our cue, we all came forward. AJ sourly put the notice of Eminent Domain Seizure on the judge’s bench. He started to look through the papers. Glancing down at me, he asked, “The Apple family, I understand being here, Grumpeter. Why are YOU here?” I replied, “AJ came to me about this problem, Your Honor. Because of the season, just short of harvest, they could not afford a Lawyer. I am offering them the best advice that I can in this sad situation.” “I see. Are you giving them legal advice?” “No, Your Honor. I know better than that. All that I am doing is reminding them of some legal forms like referring to the land in question as 'the property described in the document of seizure’ and such small matters. “The decision to acquiesce to the seizure without contest is theirs.” AJ, picking up her cue, glumly pointed out, “The only thing we ain’t going along with is the price. That 25,000 gold bits ain’t but a tenth of what the property is worth. If Sir Snobbin wants it without no fight, he gotta give us more than that!” Sir Snobbin sneered, “You can’t afford a lawyer to fight our generous offer!” I shoved a hoof up his rump by pointing out, “There is such a thing as Pro Bono representation. It wouldn’t cost THEM a thing if they lose but it WILL cost YOU if they win, and with that pittance, they will!” Grinding his teeth, Sir Snobbin snarled, “30,000! Not a bit more!” AJ saw my minute nod and hung her head as she said, “We accepts but only if you pays it right here and now. None of this 'we will pay in due course’, stuff. We going to have to get a house and move. Can’t do that with promises.” Sir Snobbin grinned triumphantly and pulled out his check book. “I will give you a check right now!” AJ saw my small head shake. She stomped her hoof as she snapped, “No! The paper say GOLD. Get us the gold. The court will count it and we will take it from the COURT. Don’t trust YOU an inch!” Amused, Judge Coldheart checked the Document of Seizure and snickered, “She is right, Sir Snobbin! Get her the gold. Bring it here. We will count it and render the payment.” I spoke up, “Judge Coldheart, Sir, may I suggest that Sir Snobbin provide both the gold and a bank receipt for it. After the court renders it to the Apple family, they deposit it into their account at the Ponyville Trust and Loan. Their receipt of deposit, Sir Snobbin’s receipt of withdrawal and the court’s count and render of payment will make this matter final and un contestable by either party. The described property will be the sole property of the Royal Road Commission for their new gravel grading and storage facility.” The judge nodded. “That will be done, Grumpeter. It makes perfect sense. I wish that there could be a better outcome.” His teeth grinding in rage, Sir Snobbin wrote in his checkbook and gave the paper to one of his flunkies. It took a while for him to return. He had rented a cart to haul the load. The Bailiff stood guard while the load was shifted to the courtroom. It was mostly larger ten, twenty and hundred gold bit coins. It made the count up go far faster. Sir Snobbin, in a show of his usual grace, sneered, “Hire your own cart! You can’t use the one that I had to rent!” Chuckling, AJ looked up to her huge brother and asked, “Do we need a cart, Big Mac?” His one word answer was, “Nope!” They began shoveling the coins into his huge saddlebags. When they were full, AJ’s bags took the rest. They trotted out of the court and up the street to the Ponyville Trust and Loan. It took a bit of time but they returned with the needed receipt. All three items, withdrawal, court count, and deposit were attached to the Eminent Domain Seizure document. Judge Coldheart signed it all and said heavily, “It is done. This transfer is complete and can not be further contested. “All that remains is to register the transfer of the property described at the Taxation and Assessment Office. They will dispatch a constable to affix the final seizure notice to the gates of the described property.” I pointed out, “All that will be left is the one week grace period for the residents to find a place, pack and move.” Sir Snobbin grabbed the documents of Eminent Domain and was about to leave. AJ gave me a puzzled look and asked in a small voice, “What do we do now, Grumpy?” I replied brightly, “We follow Sir Snobbin and you trust in my allergy!” AJ gave a sort of sideways smile and said, “I hope it is a real strong allergy. This business can’t be fixed if it is haywire in any way.” Coalsmoke joined us from the audience and snickered, “Nothing is stronger than Grumpy’s allergy to giving out refunds! Let’s go see how this happens!” We entered the Taxation and Assessment Office in time to see the clerk filling out the Gate Notice of Seizure placard. A constable was waiting to take it to wherever the clerk directed him. Sir Snobbin noticed us and chortled, “Losers!”