When I was in 5th grade I lived in Elk Grove Village, Chicago; it was around 1973. My Dad worked for the military at O’Hare. I was an Army brat, so I had flown many times before. This time, it was me and my Grampa flying to Florida to see family. We stayed for a …
Archives: User Stories
A Roommate From Hell
I was in New York City in my early twenties and looking for a new place to live. I sat on a bench at the park with the Village Voice in hand, which was the premier paper for apartment listings at that time. A bushy-haired man, who also looked to be in his twenties, …
Devil’s River Bridge
Here is a true story that happened way back in 1982. I was tired and driving from California to Texas with a U-haul trailer and a woman who was to be my wife (she is an ex-wife now). It was dark, about 11 pm, and I was trying to find a hotel to stay for the night. …
“No Questions Asked” Return Policy
My pal Gary was a salesman in the evening wear department at Neiman-Marcus, Beverly Hills. One day, he sold a fancy, beaded evening gown to a woman. It was quite expensive. They have a very liberal return policy there, and a week later she returned the dress. It sat on the rack for a while, …
Accidental Criminal
I got arrested and charged with identity fraud and theft after a stupid mix-up—FML! When my friends and I go out to eat, we play credit card roulette to see who pays for the meal. It’s a tradition, and we’ve been doing it since we were in high school. One night we went out to Applebee’s …