Part 1: Henry

Henry walked up to the window of the blue Toyota Yaris and motioned for the driver to roll down the window. The driver sighed and started cranking the lever.

“You were speeding pretty fast there buddy. You got somewhere important to go?” Henry says.

“Ah, well, yeah I do have somewhere to go. Actually I am headed to meet a group I travel with.” Porty replies, waiting for the ticket to slap him in the face. There’s no way going over by 4 miles per hour could get me a big ticket, could it?

“I clocked you at 6 over. This is not the place you want to speed kid. I’m going to have to give you a ticket.”

“Officer, if you look at my record you will see I rarely get tickets. I’m a safe driver! Can you give me a break just this time?” Porty was pleading now.

“You know what kid? Follow me to that gas station up ahead and I’m sure we can work something out.” Henry heads back to the police car and with lights on follows Porty to the local gas station. Porty can’t help but think how similar this sounds to what happens in Mexico on some corrupt police force. Don’t they take bribes to get out of tickets or jail? “Well, if a bribe’s cheaper than the actual ticket, I will gladly pay it!” Porty thinks.

Porty pulls in and follows Officer Henry into the store. Porty comes up close to Henry, “I was thinking Officer, I don’t know how much this ticket would cost but I would gladly give you some cash if you didn't give me this ticket.”

“You know kid, I had the same thought.” Henry replies.

“How much were you thinking officer?” Porty reaches for his wallet and starts pulling out two $20 bills.

“How about $120.” This was a statement, not a question.

“$120! Wow, I was thinking more like $40. How much would this ticket cost?”

“The ticket would cost you $140 and it would go on your record for 5 years. You don’t want that now do you Porty?” Henry asks with a sneer.

Porty’s face turns bright red. The only thing that goes through his mind is the last time he got a ticket for rolling through a stop sign. That ticket cost him a good $80 and left him nearly in tears. One of the hardest things a man like Porty has to do is part with his hard earned and well budgeted money.

Porty looked darkly into Officer Henry’s eyes, “Are you sure you can’t bring the price down a bit? I would very much appreciate it.” He says the last sentence with malice, bordering on a threat.

“Pretty sure of myself kid.” Henry doesn't bat an eye as he follows the furious Porty over to the ATM. “And guess what traveling group I joined today? You guessed it. We might as well head over together. What do you say ol’ buddy? Hurry up with that cash or we’ll be late.”

Porty whips around and stuffs the cash into Henry’s hand. “I’ve heard about you Henry! What in the world would you want to do with a traveling group? We don’t go anywhere special. We just visit random people and document our experience!”

“I heard the group was going to Mickey Mantle’s old house. He was my favorite baseball player as a kid and what a better chance to get into the house than with a lame traveling group? What kind of group is this anyway? Your parents must have known you would do something idiotic like this when they named you Porty!” Henry gave a belly laugh.

Without another word, Porty got into his car; it took everything he had not to stomp on the gas. Porty’s insides boiled with anger. All he wanted to do was rake his knuckles across Henry’s face but if he couldn’t do that he would find some way to get back at him.

                “Alright everyone! Gather around." called the group leader, "Because of the age of our next visitor, we can only have one person go up to the door at a time. Officer Henry has informed me that he would like to go first. We’ll keep sending people through until the Mantle’s get tired. They've already been extremely gracious in allowing us this close to their father’s first home-run baseball.”

                Henry straightened his jacket, took a deep breath and walked up the steps to the Mantle’s front door. Hesitating only a moment before rapping the brass knocker, the door inched open and a gray head poked out. The old lady peering out the crack, mashed up her face and said, “Who is it?”

                Before Henry could wipe the childish grin from his face long enough to speak, a gentleman appeared in the walkway dressed in a tight collared shirt and a briefcase in his left hand.

                “Excuse me, Mrs. Mantle. Might I have a word?” The man looked oddly familiar to Henry but he couldn't place him.

                “Of course young man. Is something wrong?” Mrs. Mantle asked, worry outlined the wrinkles on her face.

                “As a matter of fact there is ma’am. Do you know who this man is?” the strange man asks gesturing to Henry. “He is a man of the law. Officer Henry is on the police force here and I am here to inform you that he has recently been caught dealing in illegal bribes and is in possession of stolen property valuable to families of famous sports players. So yes, it does concern you Mrs. Mantle. Directly. You must remove this man from your property this instant. I have spoken with this group’s leader and he is sending for someone more…reliable.”

                The blubbering Henry looked astounded, “Wha, wha, what are you talking about man? I’ve never seen you in my life and you stand there accusing me of this? Wait…are you that the kid that paid me so I wouldn’t give you a ticket?”

                “Is that so Officer?” Mrs. Mantle nearly spat.

                “I mean, it’s standard practice really...I saved him money. I don’t do that with everyone! And what is this about stolen items? I’ve never—”

                “I’ve heard enough Henry! Get off my porch!” Mrs. Mantle threw open the door and gave Henry a push. Now it was Henry’s turn to look bewildered.

                “Thank you good sir for warning me. I have riff raff like him come around every so often and I can’t stand them! Although he was better than most, I must say. Would you like to come in?” Mrs. Mantle stepped aside so Porty could enter.

                “Mrs. Mantle, you are so very kind. I’m only doing what I hope my kids will do for me one day when I get older. I’ll only bother you for a moment. I’ve always wanted to see how the real Mickey Mantle lived. What a timeless hero. It truly is a pleasure to meet you ma’am.”

While Porty enjoyed Henry’s dream in the Mantle’s home, Henry exchanged fierce words with the group leader until finally speeding off, lights blazing atop his police car.

End of Part 1