Identity (A Short Story)
Chapter 2.
Martin turned his new computer on in order to check his e-mails, it had been the best part of three months since his old computer had been stolen and every time he turned the new computer on he was reminded of it. The old computer contained a lot of information which was coursing Martin some inconvenience. Everything from phone numbers, addresses, budgets and photo’s to music where stored in his old computer.
When the e-mail list opened, there were the usual junk e-mails, as well as the regular e-mails from companies he purchased things from but one e-mail court his eye. It was from the Sheriff’s Office, he opened the e-mail and it informed him that he would be needed in court next Wednesday as a witness for the prosecution of the young men who stole his computer amongst other things. The charge of assault had been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Even though Martin had never had any involvement with the court system, he was not looking forward to it.
The next seven day passed very quickly and before Martin know it, he was standing outside the local Court House. He made his way inside and reported to the Sheriff’s Office, they made him sign in and then directed him to a waiting area.
As he sat in the waiting area he looked around the room, there were a great cross section of people waiting to appear, both people charged with a crime as well as witnesses to crime. There were also family and friends, there to give moral support as well as Solicitors and their clerks, it was an odd group of people, who would normally not mix. But here they were all sitting around, some awaiting their fate, other nervous at the prospect of giving evidence, and for some, it was just another day at the office.
For Martin, it was time for some revenge, to see the young men punished for breaking in to his home and steeling his property. He sat there all morning, through the lunchbreak and into the afternoon. Around two in the afternoon Martin become inpatient and walked over to a sheriff who was standing in the door way to the court room.
“Sorry to bother you but I have been waiting all day, my name is Martin Philips, I’m a witness in,” said Martin, but before he could continue the Sheriff interrupted him.
“All charges in that case were dropped this morning, you are not required,” said the Sheriff.
“So I have been sitting around here all day for nothing,” replied Martin, his voice betraying his anger.
“It would seem so,” replied the Sheriff.
Martin turned and walked out of the court house, down the road to the parking station, payed the parking fee and drove in the direction of home. As he drove along, he came to the conclusion that the Police and Court case had been a total waste of time, money and effort.
When Martin arrived home, he made himself a cup of tea and sat on his front veranda, just relaxing and letting the world pass him bye, just for a few moments. The post man went bye on his little motor bike dropping a letter in his post box as he went. After finishing his tea Martin walked along the path to his mail box and collected the letter, it was from his insurance company, informing him that his house contents insurance had increased.
www.yellowduckmotorsport.com.au
Jim Pope Copy Right 2025
Identity
Chapter 3.
Martin had always been interested in English history going way back to his school days and not wishing for life to pass him bye, he booked a tour holiday of English historic buildings and sights.
He was looking forward to going away, the idea of getting away from the house for three weeks was very appealing to Martin as he was having trouble sleeping, ever since the break in and assault. So three weeks in England away from everything was just what the Doctor ordered.
Martin was uneasy with leaving the house empty for three weeks so he decided to do something about it. He purchased a number of video cameras, some would be installed in plain sight and others would be hidden, but all would be motion activated. So they would turn on and record anything that moved in the cameras view.
The instillation took some time and effort, particularly the cameras that were hidden. Some of the cameras recorded to SD cards and others recorded to a hard drive and all were time and date stamped.
With the cameras installed and the house secure, Martin felt he had done all he could and it was time to let go and get on with his trip. He court a taxi to the air port and flow off to England for three weeks of travel and adventure.
www.yellowduckmotorsport.com.au
Jim Pope Copy Right 2025
Identity
Chapter 4.
Coming from an Australian winter to an English summer did not feel all that much different for Martin, the day time tempters were much the same, so it did not feel any different than it was at home. The plane landed at Heathrow on a Monday morning, around nine but it took some time to pass through customs and security checks as there was some sort of terrorist warning in place.
Martin walked out of the air port and court a taxi to his hotel, the taxi driver talked about how hot it was and complained about the taxis lack of air conditioning.
The next day Martin joined the tour group and spent the next three weeks travelling around England looking at stately homes, castles and battle fields. He heard about great and not so great English men and women and the things they had achieved. By the end of the three weeks he had heard enough about how great the English were and just wanted to go home.
Flying out of England proved to be a time consuming exercise as the terrorist warning was still in force, so all of Martin’s luggage had to be searched and he was even quested about his time in England. It all took some time and he was relieved to be finally on the plane as it trundled down the runway.
www.yellowduckmotorsport.com.au
Jim Pope Copy Right 2025