 |
| Oh, yeah. 03984 |
Rick was told that this was a classified letter, First Class and it needed his signature on the green card to verify letter had been received. With shaking hands, Rick signed his name, taking the envelope.
Falling onto the stained couch, Rick cleared the beer cans and mirrors off the table in one sweep. This is one serious letter, man. Serious stinkin' serious. Tearing the tab across cardboard, Rick pulled out a regular envelope. Lookit! My name typed ‘n everything!
Return address was a local Ford Dealer.
Return address was a local Ford Dealer.
Then the letter…a real honest letter, with stuff about an award, with his personal number—03984…honored to win his very own 2016 Mustang…Holy crap! This is real….
My own Mustang?...Rick dropped his head between his knees, contemplating throwing up or passing out.
Directions indicated prize winners… Winners?...were to check in by 2 pm today…Today?...to allow recipients time to tour the car lot filled with Mustangs of all colors.
The drawing would be…Today? Rick stripped off stained torn clothes, found the cleanest spread over the floor, and raced out to his ‘cylce. With a roar, off went Rick, off to pick out his own Mustang.
About twenty men toured around the car lot filled with sharp cool fast Mustangs. Rick joined them, each reverently touching cars from end to
end, roof to undercarriage. Hot sun baked each man, no one cared. After all! Mustangs!
When a bald man, gut-hanging over his belt, called numbers, checking them off. Nodding abruptly, he explained, “You guys! Lissen up! Your number called, you come up with your letter, and we’ll get outta this damn heat. Inside we’ll make sure you’re who you say you are.” Nodding again, he called the first number. “O4669?”
end, roof to undercarriage. Hot sun baked each man, no one cared. After all! Mustangs!
 |
| American style |
Gut guy and 04669 disappeared inside. Minutes passed, Gut emerged, called out 06322, and the process went on until only Rick was left, clutching his letter, 03984, precious 03984. Letitbemeletitbeme…
Finally, 03984 was called. His heart pounded in his chest, Here! It’s my number. The door opened into the showroom, and Rick’s mouth all but dropped. Lincolns, Mustangs…I could make big bucks lifting these…
But then, Rick was taken to another room, where a ring of badges anticipated his arrival. One grabbed Rick, cuffed him, and read the Miranda Rights.
A big white bus awaited him, filled with all the other award winners, grumbling and shocked. Just like him. Mustangs grew small as the bus drove away. I coulda won the cool black one, with the racing stripe. Yup, I woulda picked that one.
The underlined words were provided by Delores in Wednesday Words in 2015. Rewrites followed and then this is what you read.
This has actually happened several times, where ex-convicts had broken their paroles. But hope springs eternal when it comes to Mustangs.
I have heard of this trick. It's a good way to make sure someone shows up, but kinda sad too. Although, they are criminals...
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is sad, but at the same time it is justice.
DeleteI was fascinated by the story, but as Liz says, very sad.
ReplyDeleteSad, but inevitable somewhere down the line.
DeleteSorry. I lived in Detroit too long. I knew where this was going right away. You wrote it splendidly however.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma. Living in Detroit would give you insight for sure.
DeleteI've heard of this happening years ago, it seems to work. Who wouldn't want a brand new Mustang, I guess those winners did. Excellent written story, Susan. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. Nothing like a carrot.
DeleteThat story made it over here too. Definitely thinking outside the box, and getting their man/men with no bloodshed.
ReplyDeleteThinking out of the box, indeed.
DeleteYou really caught me up with the story. I have heard of this type of sting before. Seems to work really well.
ReplyDeleteGlad to catch you by surprise!
DeleteWhen you do the crime, you have to be willing to do the time. Excellent story.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Time and crime seem to be unconnected.
DeleteI'd heard of these stings before. Clever! If it sounds too good to be true …
ReplyDeleteWow! Mustangs! Around here, cons will show up for a big-screen TV. And probably be just as disappointed.
ReplyDeleteNo, Mustangs would be the big draw. Men are like that.
DeleteI've also seen the trick pulled from everything to catching dead beat dads to murderers. Guess you need to check the validity of the letter before you show up to claim your prize!
ReplyDeleteDead beat dads! How awesome is that?!
DeleteI remember reading about a sting such as this, BUT only AFTER reading the 'Punch Line.' But you know, I really did enjoy the read, It was catchy!
ReplyDeleteLove from NC
Sherry & jack
Glad it caught you!
DeleteIf it's too good to be true, it probably is.
ReplyDeleteLike the computer offers for a Nigerian prince, it has to be.
DeleteRather an inspired way to catch crooks, I say.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who came up with that idea.
DeleteI wonder what it mustang felt?
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Good question.
DeleteYour story is beautifully written, and the designated words fit so well, I forgot you were writing from a prescribed list. AFTER I finished reading your piece, THEN I remembered reading about these methods to capture the bad guys, but your writing completely sucked me in. For me? They'd have to dangle a '65 Mustang. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, '65, and it would have to be red!
DeleteJust goes to show the stupidity of the criminal element.
ReplyDeleteAin't no rest for the wicked, Money don't come for free...
DeleteIt's a song we love, and it is true.