I'm back in high school.
"It's not convenient for me," I said. "I have a business to run.Unless you have new information about my case or you're writing mea check, I don't have any time to waste with you."
"We're aware that you're 'busy'," said the Insurance Agent, archly. "Weare willing to work around your schedule, if necessary, but it'simportant for you that we meet today."
"What about tomorrow?"
"That is not suitable. Today."
"So much for working around my schedule."
"You sound defensive, Mr. Ciccarelli."
"Wouldn't you be?"
"I wouldn't ever be in the position that you're in, Mr.Ciccarelli."
Smug bastard.
"What position might that be?"
"Let's just say it's not a good one. I'll see you at four."
"It's our belief that you are responsible for the damage at MochaDaze."
"Your 'belief' is old news."
"We believe that you filed a false claim and we intend on prosecutingyou for insurance fraud."
Where was Allen Funt? The hidden camera?
"Insurance fraud..." My voice dropped off. What else could Isay?
"We have enough evidence. We believe we can win."
Yeah, you and O.J. Simpson.
"...But I wanted to give you a chance, in person, to confess andwork something out. It would save us both a lot of time."
"I didn't do anything."
He sat there, quietly, trying to read me, I suppose. He didn'tsay a word. Just stared at me.
"I'm leaving," I said.
"Mr. Ciccarrelli..."
I didn't say anything, throwing the silent treatment back at him.
He took a deep breath and shook his head with mock sadness, thelook of a mortuary attendant handing the bereaved the funeralbill.
"You need to look elsewhere for someone who will insure you.We're canceling you as of this moment."
"You don't look like the opera type." I asked, handing him a cup of coffee as I rang up my last customer of the day. This day. This lousy day.
"It's Mozart, Hugo," Kurt said, flashing me the envelope holdingthe two tickets for 'Barber of Seville.' "He was a genius."
"Thank you for that information, Kurt. I know who Mozart is. I saw 'Amadeus.' He didn't write 'Barber,' by the way, Rosini did."
"That was a movie. This is his music. So are you going to go?"
I played hard to get, but only for a second.
"It would be my pleasure, Kurt. I can't wait."
