Well I wrote it. I think we can all be glad that I didn't think of any more jokes in the manner of "hitting the fan." I do hope you find it a bit amusing.

Waste of a Flying Horse

The court was normally a sedate place with little cause or opportunity for frivolity but the current case had brought out all the local and even national pundits.

"Walter, the court is coming to order in a few seconds so all I can sign off with is, it's hit the fan and now we'll see who gets to pay for the mess. This is Rodney Schefield signing off for CNX news."

The bailiff thumped his staff on the floor and intoned, "Hear ye, hear ye. The third court in and for the county of Cheshire and the magical realms of Autumn and Fire will come to order. The honorable Scarlett Maximoff presiding. Please rise."
 
The judge entered and sat behind the bench. She motioned the crowd to be seated and started. "I have little patience for disruption of my court. You may take this as a first warning and any disruption will be cause for the offender to be hauled to a warded cell until such time as I decide to hear their apology. Bailiff, you may read the complaint."

"Mr Brown attests that on April 4th this last year Mr Rockmann was flying his horse above county road fourteen when the horse relied himself and the, ah, waste landed on his wagon destroying the load of promotional fans and bunting he was delivering. He is suing for the cost of the material and to replace the wagon which he claims is no longer useable for deliveries other than fertilizer. Also Mr Brown is asking for punitive damages since the fans and bunting were being delivered to to the opponent of Mr Rockmann's son who is running for the same council seat. Mr Rockmann claims it was an accident and pursuant to law is not responsible for the damage caused after it left the horse."

"Gentlemen, I have read the briefs your lawyers have filed. Mr Rockmann, why do you claim no responsibility?" the judge asked.

Rockmann's lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, I would like to cite case number 14385. In that case a man slipped on some animal waste in the street and broke his leg. He sued and the horse's owner but court found that the young man should have been aware of the hazards posed and was not due compensation. In addition, the city passed a law absolving the owners of horses from responsibility in any further cases."

The judge took the legal volume from the lawyer and studied it for a moment. She looked at Mr Brown's lawyer, "Comments?"

"I object. We were not notified of this before the trial."

"I don't believe that one side has to notify the other of the law," the judge said.

"Well, ah, I would like more time to study the issue your honor."

"That won't be necessary," the judge said. "I'm ready to pronounce judgment. please be seated."

The attorneys sat down and talked quietly with their clients.

"On the issue of damages for the wagon and its cargo, I find in the favor of the plaintiff. The law does plainly state that expected hazards on the road surface are the responsibility of the traveler to avoid. But hazards in the air are different and people should not be expected to be on the lookout for things falling from the air. On the issue of punitive damages I find in the favor of the defendant. The circumstances do seem suspicious but Mr Brown is not the injured party in that instance." She banged her gavel down. "Court adjourned."

 "This is Rodney Schefield for CNX news. It appears that hitting the road and hitting the fan are two different things under the law. Back to you Walter."

END