Approx. 623 words
SMART GIRL
By Mae Ondracek
©
“Come on, Jerry, we can’t let them
get away with this,” Mary cried. “Do you
think we are the only ones they have ripped off?”
“No, I’m sure we’re not,” Jerry
replied, “But there isn’t a lawyer in town that will touch this type of case.”
“Maybe not, but we can set up a
business ourselves, to help others that have had the same trouble. We can write newsletters and distribute them
around town.”
“Come on Mary, we know nothing
about running a business, especially from a legal angle.”
“Well, I’m going to think about
it to see what I can come up with.” Mary
stated emphatically.
For a week Mary scribbled on a
legal note pad. Sometimes she’d tear off
a sheet, crumple it up, and throw it in the wastebasket. Then she’d tap her lips with the pen, reread
the previous page, get a bright idea, and begin scribbling again.
Finally Jerry couldn’t stand it
any longer and asked, “Mary, what on earth are you doing?”
“Sh! I am almost finished,” Mary replied.
“But Mary, what have you …”
Mary held up her hand for
silence and then put her finger to her lips, “Sh!”
She quickly went back to her
writing. In another half hour, Mary
threw down her pen and yelled, “
She handed the pad to Jerry,
who looked through the pages and said, “But Mary, I can’t read some of
this. It doesn’t make sense. Why don’t you type it into the computer and
then I’ll read it.”
“No problem, Jerry. This is a great idea and I’m sure we’ll get a
big response once we advertise.”
Mary typed and typed until
Jerry asked, “How long is that going to be?
You know, advertising is expensive.”
Mary shrugged and said it was
almost finished. Then she laughed as she hit the last period, drummed on the
desk with her fingertips, and started printing out her document.
Jerry’s eyes got wide as he
said, “Mary, we can’t put all of this in an ad, it is 12 pages long. Let’s go over this and make up a small ad
without giving away all your secrets. No
one will pay you when they can read it all in an advertisement.”
“Of course, you are right,
Jerry. I just couldn’t stop once the
ideas came rolling along. Now, let’s
see. How about this: ‘Have you been
taken advantage of? Did someone do you a
wrong? I can help you get revenge for
only $29.95. Call (222)-200-0002 for an
appointment.’ What do you think of that
Jerry?”
“That is just fine, Mary. I wish you success. But first, pretend I’m here for advice and
let’s see how you do. ‘Hello, Mrs.
Kramer, I need your help to get revenge on Charlie Becker, from the Ansco
Building Company. He promised to build a
carport we’d be proud of for only $1,200.00 up front and $400.00 when the job
was finished. The carport is unfinished,
there are nail points sticking through the ceiling, its not painted, and really
an eyesore. I have called his office six
times and the office girl always tells me he isn’t in. Please tell me how I can get revenge on Mr.
Becker.”
Mary thought for a few moments,
and then replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t help you.”
Jerry raised his eyebrows as he
asked, “Why can’t you help me? You have
it all down in that document about how you can help anyone get revenge for any
wrong.”
“Because Jerry. It states in the ad that I will help you get
revenge for only $29.95. I can’t help
you, because you didn’t pay me.”