The Lighter Side of Serious Business

I went into work today hoping that I could finalize the sale of Sean's car. I had put a deposit down on it Monday, and asked the seller to bring it to a mechanic to check out the noise in the left front tire, and get an estimate. He did, it was a problem with the bearings, both sides. I said if he took the price of the repair off what he was asking for it, I would take the car. Sold. I told him I would be in Maine the next two days, but contact him on Thursday to finalize everything.

I did so well today, even remembering to bring the checkbook with me. I found a moment to give the seller a call, and he was amazingly available with a ride and everything to drop the car off, right away. His wife followed him over, he filled out the Bill of Sale & Title, took his check, and his wife drove him away. I called the insurance company, made arrangements for the insurance on the car and they emailed me the card. I now had the three things necessary to get the plates; Bill of Sale, Title, and proof of insurance. And today being Thursday meant the DMV was open late. Oh, good day.

Sean worked this afternoon after school, cleaning up on site. I picked him up at about 5:15 and said, "come on, we're going to DMV to register your car". A few minutes into the 20 minute drive to the DMV, I thought to ask, "Sean, do you have your license on you?" If it were anybody else, a rational assumption could be made, seeing how he drove to school and work, right? But I know my boy. I'd best check.

Seriously, who is surprised to learn his answer was "no" ? Damn. I wonder if that is necessary to register a vehicle. Well, we're going to find out.

We arrived at DMV, waited in line to get the correct form, and inquired about having a license.

"It is mandatory that who ever is registering the car have a license", was the response.

Of course it was. Things were going to well for that not to be the case. Ok. We may still win this one...

The lady gave us the correct form for when we came back. Sean and I got in the car. I asked him if he noticed what time DMV closed, and he said "seven o'clock". It was now 6:11. We might make it. If I drove pretty fast. Maybe breeze through a couple red lights? No.

We got to V-town at about 6:35. That was going eighty plus on the highway. Sean knew exactly where his license was, so it took about one minute for him to hop out of the car, and we raced away again. It could go either way. If nothing came up, like a tractor or herd of cows, and I drove really fast, we could make it.

With hearts beating, we crawled behind a minivan through two towns before we hit the highway and sped past five exits until we reached the one for the DMV. I sped down the drive and barely stopped the car to let Sean out with the paperwork. He had filled out the form in the car. I held my breath as he reached for the door. IT OPENED! Yay! We made it. I parked the car and went inside, looked at the clock, we had four minutes to spare. Holy moses. Pure luck.

I have to explain that it would be several days before Sean and I could go to DMV again. Tomorrow I couldn't because I have to pick Paul up at the airport, and Sean is working Saturday. Who knows what next week will bring. So it was pretty important to get it done tonight. And everything was falling into place. With effort, but working. We made it. I couldn't believe it, and didn't really think we would.

Within a few minutes, it was Sean's turn at the counter. He handed his papers to the man who took quite a bit of time looking them over and writing stuff, and entering data in the computer and all that stuff that needs to be done. We didn't care. We made it. We were here. The policeman locked the door. DMV was now officially closed.

After a bit of time the man looks up and asks if there is another insurance card. I asked why? He said because this one wasn't valid. What? Yeah, it doesn't issue until 9/26, which is tomorrow. Oh jeez, I thought, that is only 5 hours away. Is it that critical, really??? And then he asked if Sean had the REAL title. Well, I had made copies of everything I had gotten for the car, knowing Sean's propensity for losing things. He had left the original in the car, and I gave the copy to him. The man said he needed the original. Couldn't register without. I said no problem, it's in the car, I'll just go get it. He and the woman at the next window both said "OH NO, YOU CAN'T LEAVE, BECAUSE THE DOOR IS LOCKED. ONCE YOU EXIT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RE-ENTER". Ooops. Easy there, people. Look, I'm not armed or anything. jeez.

The man handed Sean back all the papers, plus a new pile to bring back when he comes next time. That is the point at which I busted up laughing, and I laughed a good long time. I am still chuckling. Can you believe? We came so close, so so close. We made it happen. We were there.

Some things you just can't conquer. You just can't win, even when you think you have, you are fooled. The DMV is one of them. They outmaneuvered me again. Nice game, State of Connecticut. I'm not even mad. It was too funny to be mad about. We'll get the car registered sooner or later, I'm sure. I think I'll be successful the next time, but it won't be nearly as much fun. Sean and I had a fairly enjoyable little dinner together at Friendly's.

Peace