A happy anti-climax

Well, today was the court case and here's how it went...

We arrive. No sign of the loser.

We rose when the magistrate entered and told us to take our place on the bench. Still no sign of loser. Our hearts rise in anticipation that he will not arrive. The magistrate asks the court lady to call for him. She does.

Still no sign of loser. The magistrate says "that's a shame"...

We sit around for a bit.

The magistrate says "since he has not shown up you will be awarded your $500" (or something close).

I inwardly said "yay".

And that, as they say, is that.