The Zephyr Christmas Files, Part IV

Read [Part I], [Part II], and [Part III].

Part IV. Letters to the Court 

MARGARET’S DRAFT

December 26, 2015
Re: Speeding Ticket #F9474

To Whom It May Concern:

I received a speeding ticket on the Zephyr Mountain 85 passage. The officer cited that I was going at a speed of either 50 or 55 miles per hour on a 35 speed limit road. However, I respectfully question the validity of the ticket, given both his uncertainty about my actual speed and the overall caution I take in abiding by the speed limit.

While we were entering a slower zone due to the mountain pass and snowy roads, the speed limit on the typical 85 highway is 55 to 65 miles per hour. I received the ticket almost immediately after entering the 35 speed limit zone, and I was in the process of slowing my vehicle down, with the occasional bump in speed that occurs in driving. Furthermore, the officer could not provide me a definite speed he saw me going at, so I do not agree with his statement that I was driving recklessly above the limit. 

I have never received a speeding ticket before as I regard the traffic laws highly and value the lives of my passengers and others on the road. I respectfully request that you consider my story, rescind the fine, and keep my driving record clear.

 Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Jansen Suzuki

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JANSEN’S REVISED DRAFT

December 26, 2015
Re: Speeding Ticket #F9474

To Whom It May Concern:

I received a speeding ticket on the Zephyr Mountain 85 passage. The officer cited that I was going at a speed of either 50 or 60 miles per hour on a 35 speed limit road. However, I respectfully question the validity of the ticket, given both his uncertainty about my actual speed and the overall caution I take in abiding by the speed limit my patriotic love for country, displayed in strict adherence to perfectly sensible traffic laws.

While we were entering a slower zone due to the mountain pass and snowy roads, the speed limit on the typical 85 highway is 55 to 65 miles per hour. I received the ticket almost immediately after entering the 35 speed limit zone, and I was in the process of slowing my vehicle down, with the occasional bump in speed that occurs in driving couldn’t help but wonder why, in the turbulent time of 2015, our policemen are stationed on off-road mountain passes instead of in rioting streets. Furthermore, the officer could not provide me a definite speed he saw me going at, so I do not agree with his statement that I was driving recklessly above the limit. I also wonder why, in the year 2015, these instruments are not more precise. Where is our taxpayer money going?

I have never received a speeding ticket before as I regard the traffic laws highly and value the lives of my passengers and others on the road. I respectfully request that you consider my story, rescind the fine, and keep my driving record clear.

Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Jansen Suzuki

P.S. If this ticket is the result of the government being broke, I assure you, they are still richer than I am.

P.P.S. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. It is the season for joy, forgiveness and new beginnings. 

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 AT 10:24:12 AM
From Jansen to Margaret

Thanks, I owe you. Just made some minor revisions.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 AT 10:27:32 AM
From Margaret to Jansen

Uh oh.

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E-MAIL SENT ON December 26, 2015 AT 12:39:43 PM
From Avery Chan to Darby Chan 

Darby!

It’s so, so good to open my inbox to all these messages from you. Sorry my access to Internet is limited, and there’s even a countdown now on my connection as I write. (I blitzed through your emails with lightning speed and now I’m thanking God they forced us to practice typing fast in elementary school).

MERRY CHRISTMAS. I don’t think I have enough connection time to tell you my stories, but I have some good ones. It’s been fantastic here. You’re right – I can’t beat your gift list this year. Perhaps I can only say it’s better to give than to receive, because it’s been pretty eye-opening to work with some of the kids here. The relentless humor in your emails was a pretty great gift too. And this truckload delivery of bottled spring water. It was so beautiful. Like, up there on the scale with that night sky you saw.

5 minutes on my countdown. Please keep writing me updates. Since I don’t have much time to comment, I’ll just say about Adrian: “There’s nothing between us,” you said.

GIRL I KNOW WHEN YOU’RE IN DENIAL. Give me better evidence or fess up.

Avery

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:43:29 PM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags 

Just ran into Loren. He asked if we wanted to try black diamond.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:45:32 PM
From D-Chan to Juki, Mags 

Breakfast is over…

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:46:49 PM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags

The slopes, not the breakfast, smart one.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:46:49 PM
From Mags to Juki, D-Chan 

Sure.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:49:30 PM
From D-Chan to Mags, Juki 

Whoa. When did Mags become so fearless? …Oh yeah, wait I know.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:51:12 PM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags

Sorry Adrian won’t be there. He’s working.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:52:23 PM
From D-Chan to Juki, Mags 

WHY am I always your target?

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 1:53:02 PM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags 

Mags wrote a letter for my speeding ticket.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 4:19:09 PM
From Loren to Margaret

How is Darby?

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 4:25:32 PM
From Margaret to Loren

I think it’s just a sprain. Thanks for helping.

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MESSAGE SENT ON December 26, 2015 4:28:18 PM
From Loren to Margaret

Good. Coffee on me. I’ll bring some over to you guys later.

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ZEPHYR MEDICAL LOG

Patient: Darby Chan
Injury: Sprained ankle
Cause: Slip on snow (A.S. attendee note: and inability to turn down a dare)