“It’s becoming a problem,” Priya said. “I saw Johnny and Bart (a friend and follower of Johnny’s), soaping car windows yesterday. I went to stop them, but they ran away before I could catch them”.
“That’s how it is! They run away before you can catch them,” Al exclaimed as he reached out and grabbed an imaginary Johnny and gave him what for. “Little bastard”.
“What’s the rest of the neighborhood saying about it?” Ethan asked.
“It hasn’t come up,” Priya replied. “Although, I haven’t talked to anyone for a week or so”.
“Well. Let’s go talk with them. See what’s going on, Ethan suggested.
It was a Saturday, and all the neighbors were out mowing their lawns and washing their cars.
“Yes. My car was soaped, and last week, we woke up to streamers of toilet paper hanging from the Maple tree. What do you suppose is going on?” asked Mr. Johns, who was currently in the process of washing off some of the soap from his car window.
“Priya saw Johnny and Bart soaping some car windows yesterday,” Ethan replied. “Couldn’t catch them though”.
“I don’t know a Johnny,” Mr. John said.
“I think he lives a few blocks away,” Ethan said. “Have you heard of anyone else who has had a problem”?
“Well, Albert said one night he was watching Walter Cronkite when the doorbell rang. When Albert opened the door, he found a burning paper bag. Said he was caught off guard and tried to step on the fire and put it out. Turns out the bag was full of dog shit. Said he got it all over his shoes and slacks”.
“Yeah,” Ethan replied smiling. “They got Al that way too”.
“Well, I suppose something should be done about this,” Mr. John sighed. “I guess we’ll have to form a committee and go have a talk with the parents”.
Once it was established other neighbours had been assaulted and some had seen Johnny and Bart at the scene of the crime, a committee was formed to address the issue. Al made sure he was part of it. First, they went to Bart’s, because they knew where he lived. When they got there, Bart’s mother opened the door and greeted the committee with fearful eyes. The father, hearing the commotion came to the door as well, and once the charges had been read, looked at his wife accusingly.
“Bart!” the father called.
A boy, of about 12, appeared from inside the house. He had a simple, dull expression on his face.
“Yes?” he said.
“What’s this I hear about you soaping car windows?” the father asked.
“I dunno”.
“Tell me,” the father demanded, reaching down and slapping the boy on the side of the head.
“Okay!” Bart said cowering. “I did it”.
In a fury, the father started swatting Bart who stood dumbly, taking it.
“Now hold on Earl,” Albert said. “The offence is not that severe. We just wanted to talk with the boy and see if we can sort things out”.
Earl stopped swatting Bart. With crazed eyes, he turned his stare on Albert and the other committee members. “Do what you want with him,” he said after a moment. He shoved Bart towards Albert. He was done of the situation and when he turned to leave, his glare fell on his wife who flinched and unconsciously turned away.
Bart accompanied the committee and showed them where Johnny lived. He never questioned his role, once one was given to him.
Johnny lived just a few minutes away in a more rundown neighborhood. The houses were smaller and neglected, often with abandoned vacant lots beside them. Johnny’s home was just the same. A broken down house, with broken objects of neglect littering the yard.
“Yeah?” was what Johnny’s mother said when she opened the door.
“Yes. Hello,” said Mr. John, who was standing in the middle of the committee and holding Bart by the shoulders. “Miss…”?
“Jenkins”.
“Yes. Well, Miss Jenkins, I’m Edward John, and these are my neighbours. We live up the street and have been experiencing vandalism to our homes and property recently. Witnesses have seen your son Johnny and this boy, Bart, committing these crimes”.
“Johnny’s not here, Ed”, Miss Jenkins sneered.
“Well, now,” Edward persisted. “We wanted to talk with you and your husband about him. Perhaps some household rules will end his bad behaviour? Some of these are rather serious offences and we would prefer to keep the law out of it, if possible”.
“I’m not married,” Miss Jenkins replied curtly. “And you’re going to keep the law out of it are you?”
“Well”.
“Well! Tell me Ed. What about us low life’s who have to work all night, and sleep during the day just to raise her family? How am I supposed to be responsible for what the kid does?
“Well,” Edward stammered.
Just then, Al took off running down the steps, and apprehended a boy who was watching the proceedings from the side of the house. It was Johnny, and Al brought him back holding him by the arm.
“This boy is stirring up trouble. If you don’t do something about it he might end up in dark waters,” Al said, looking angry. He let go of Johnny’s arm and walked away from the house.
Johnny’s Mom was gobsmacked. Feeling the weight of Al’s threat, she watched him walk away, saying nothing.
“Well, then. Edward said. “I think we made our point. Good day Miss Jenkins, and please rein in your son before there are further consequences”.
Along with Edward, the committee gave Miss Jenkins a stern warning nod and left.
A few days later, a knock came to Erwin’s door. Kelly answered the door. It was Johnny.
“Is Al around,” he asked.
“Al?” Kelly repeated. “Yeah. I’ll go find him.
A few minutes later, Al came sauntering to the door.
“Yeah?” he said, seeing Johnny.
“My Mom sent me over to clean up the mess I made”.
“Well Johnny, as you can see, all the dog shit’s been scraped off the step,” Al replied, eyeing Johnny closely.
“Then I’m supposed to do something else to help out, she said”.
“Well,” Al said, scratching his beard. “In lieu of punishment, I suppose we can use your services around here. You can start by mowing the lawn. There’s a push mower in the backyard”.
“Mow the whole lawn!” Johnny protested.
“Front and back,” Al replied smiling, “and when you’re done that, there will be more chores waiting for you. Putting a flaming bag of dog shit on someone’s step is a federal offence I believe, and your jail sentence would be for years. They might even give you the electric chair for a crime that substantial”.
Johnny recoiled from the idea.
“Oh yes!” Al said, seeing the fearful hesitation on Johnny’s face, and pouncing on it. “I don’t know how long it will take you to work off your crime. It could be years. The whole summer for sure. Now the first thing you need to do is start mowing the lawn. Front and back. Now get”!