A customer says that Betty cheated her out of $2000 at Betty’s store. The customer then sues Betty. Because Betty believes the evidence will prove her innocent, she asks the judge for a jury trial. The judge says it would be a waste of time, and that he will settle the matter himself.

Bob writes a letter to the editor complaining about the way the government is treating convicts in federal prisons. Because of this letter, Bob is arrested and placed in jail himself.

Mike is in his house watching television when two policemen knock at the door. They accuse Mike of having stolen property, enter the house, and take several things that they say do not belong to Mike. When he asks if the policemen have permission to take his things, they just laugh and leave with the property.

The city of Central had two newspapers. The Central News often printed articles in favor of the local mayor. The Central Register; however, was very critical of him. When the Register wrote that the mayor might not have the best interests of the city in mid, the mayor ordered the paper closed, and it went out of business.

The government lacked money to support the nations’ military forces. To save money, General Pulp ordered that troops be placed in the homes of people living close to military bases. Midge lived next to an army base, and two soldiers moved into her house, even though she did not want them there.

Sandy received notice that a new toll road is going to be built right through the middle of her farm.  She and her husband owned the farm for fifty years and at her age, she feels she is too old to start over. Besides, her children were all raised on the farm and it has much sentimental value to her.  She protests with the county and they offer her $1000 more an acre than was originally offered. She still doesn’t want to sell.

Julie recently got a good job as a legal secretary. Being a “small town girl,” the big city scares Julie more than a little. To get to work from her apartment, she has to drive through a rough neighborhood where the crime rate is very high. But Julie carries some comfort with her in the form of a handgun her father gave her when she left home for the city.

After her divorce, Jane is ready to start her life over.  She moves from Texas to Vermont where she begins a new job managing a Bed and Breakfast.  She is thankful that she made the move and looks forward to meeting new people.

In order to improve education in the United States, Congress creates a new test that teachers must take and pass every year in order to keep their jobs.  The State of Texas appeals this stating only they have the right to determine what teachers in Texas must do to keep their jobs.