Then the Circus began.

First it was a letter from the Lunatic Asylum questioning my “academic qualifications” to manage such an educational institution. I was going to toss it, but decided to keep it for my archives.

I didn’t answer.

Then they pressured our local “government” to pass a law stating that only Tranq U. could certify other educational institutions. It was a rickety piece of legislation which must have taken a lot of bribes, threats and promises to get it through. I heard about it, blow by blow as I ran a popular bar. I didn’t say a word. Not when people told me, “in confidence”, that T.U. was trying to “shut me down”. Not when I read about it in our daily auxiliary toilet paper. Not a word. Just nodded.

It took the Lunatics four more months to slap me with the summons to cease and desist running my Learning Centre. I put the summons into my scrap book. Then they got our local security boys to arrest me. I went with them to the station, which was next door. They asked if I wanted a lawyer, I said no. I wanted a trial. I was bailed in my own recognizance and went back to my bar.

I’d only been gone seventeen minutes. That’s because it was a very slow day at Long Cellar Police Station. In a few days, I attended Court. It was a nice Quonset Hut, often used for government business as there wasn’t much use for it as a Court.

I sat quietly, listened, pleaded Not Guilty. They put up their witnesses, submitted their “law” into evidence. Proved, beyond a Reasonable Doubt that I had clearly breeched the law.

When it was my turn, I submitted my sales agreement.

After my acquittal, I got a lawyer. I sued the government, T.U., and everyone else I could think of for false arrest, malicious prosecution, harassment, etc.

I settled my claims for decent sums.

As with all small towns, you have to know when you’ve outstayed your welcome. I sold my bar, moved to Mare Equus, a new settlement a dozen klics away, and opened another Bar.

The Learning Center is closed, Tranquility University is churning out Lunatics and all’s right with the Moon.