Great little slice of life story

Tom W. story

Here's a little story from my friend Tom, relating an experience his son had in L.A. I think you'll like...


...My son Brock’s experience yesterday was equally interesting.
In California, when they call you for jury duty, they put you into a pool, until you are picked up for a trial. So you can be there a while, several days until you are either selected, or the judge releases you.

The prospective jurors all were called into the court room and were told that the trial they were about to be considered for would take at least a month, and he asked if anyone had a conflict.
Of course, everyone in the place raised their hand. Over the two days this process took, Brock became friends with some of the people being considered for the jury.
So many people wanted out-- that the judge decided to meet with everyone in the pool individually to find out why they couldn’t serve, after admonishing them that it was their duty as an American to serve, and that he (the judge) had served his country faithfully in the Marines, and in war.

Brock was called in, and the judge said, “Young man, why do you need to be released from jury duty?”

Brock replied, “Sir, I love my country, and I believe it’s our responsibility to serve. But if you take me out of employment for one month, when the trial is over, I will be packing up my stuff, and will have to vacate my apartment, because I won’t be able to pay my rent. And it looks to me like everyone else in the room, the attorneys and even yourself, are being paid a pretty fair wage to be here. And even you, sir, were paid for being in the military, and you were provided food and a place to live. I just can’t make it on $10 per day, and I will not be paid if I am here.”

Having completed the visit, Brock returned to be with the rest of the group.
Brock and the other jury members had decided that--- stay or go, they’d have lunch together.

After meeting with everyone, the judge called the group back together, and out of the whole group, he only let Brock go.
He said, “This young man was the only one who was honest with me as to why he needed out, the rest of you are staying!”

Brock met with the group for lunch, and they really gave him a hard time. While eating, they noticed out the window that there were police everywhere, and the roads were blocked off.
They said their goodbyes, and Brock headed for the elevator to the parking garage, an area which was a number of levels below ground.
The door opened, and Brock stepped onto the elevator with three men, and the door closed.

Brock looked up and who was standing next to him….? President Bill Clinton, with two secret service men.
Clinton apparently had been meeting with some school children in the area and was headed for his own car.

They exchanged some pleasantries and Clinton asked Brock what he was doing downtown.
Brock responded, and told him about his jury experience. Mr. Clinton chuckled at the outcome and thought it was a great little story.
Brock said, “Thank you, Mr. President. Have a good day.” and headed for the car.
Just another day in L.A.

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