My Brush with The Law

I got arrested in Denmark once.

I had changed the date on my bus pass from May 01 to May 21 and the inspector with the coke-bottle glasses spotted it.

I had made an ink daub to make it more authentic.

I realize now that was a mistake.

When he started asking if I’d made it myself, I said I would say no more without a lawyer. (I’d been seeing too many American movies).

He called the police and they drove me to detention.

They put me in a cell for hours.

It was a hot July day and the room service was very poor. I was really thirsty.

When the lawyer arrived, he laughed when I explained the situation.

After several hours, the policeman told me to come out so he could write a report. After we’d talked a bit, he said no more smart quips or it’s back in the cell for you.

As I left he shook my hand, held it for a little longer than I expected and said: “I wish we’d met under different circumstances”.

I was quite astonished, I still had no idea that I wasn’t frightfully ugly or repulsive:

My boyfriend-at-the-time was waiting outside the police station.

(Why did I leave you for some silly fantasy romance? I will regret it always.)

Some weeks later I got a letter telling me that if I didn’t appear in court on such-and-such a day, I would be considered guilty.

For five years I had a criminal record.

Now I’ve been forgiven.

Even the Danish secret service approved me for some business I had to do with them once so my slate is clean.

I loved your story.

Thank you for inspiring me.

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