Miami — Patrick

Bishop, California.”

“I will be there as soon as I can. Don’t say anything or do anything that could be considered ‘disobedient’ unless absolutely necessary.”

John was a longtime friend & lawyer, and WilmerHale was a longtime customer of my services before the transition. I helped FAANG companies in multi-billion litigations. So there was both a personal and financial bond between us.

I warned John of the impending calls, and he was nice enough to accept my explanation around hemodialysis which excluded the vampiric part. I am pretty sure he knew something was ‘smelly’ about my explanation, but he apparently felt he could argue the case without knowing what was causing that stink.

John was also nice enough to go bail out Phil and Brian in Bishop. John brought Phil back to Boardwalk so we could make sure he was OK and could continue dialysis without returning (caving in) to his original clinic.

John shows up — at the perimeter of the siege in his white 300ZX TT (for T-Top). There are a half-dozen police besieging us: half in their cruisers, the other three in a water-cooler style chat circle. John walks up to the three with Phil, flashes something, and then they continue onward to our doors.

With an approving signal (the American Sign Language version of ‘let them in’) the doors shuffle. Phil & John saunter up to me a few minutes later.

“Excellent” I say with a Mr. Burns (from the Simpsons) accent.

- 93 -

“You could have picked locations a little further. I like driving the 300. I can only do it when my kids are not around.”

“Sorry, tried my best. But the state line was a limiting factor. Can you practice in Nevada?”

“No… I don’t think I can. Except maybe for desert tortoises”

“You studs want to get some food?”

“I should start working on the case. The DA there seemed very energetic”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. I suspect the case will disappear before you get home. But you probably have better food there. Thank you for dropping Phil off. Visit any time you can worm by those officers. Might be harder if the FBI decides to join us”

“Getting past them would be inconceivable. Enjoy your evening and see you and Phil later in the week if your prediction is incorrect”

“Inconceivable!” I say with a smile. “Thanks again”.

The trucks shuffle and a few minutes later John’s 300 pulls away.

- 94 -