John Page

The Picture:

The story behind the picture:

In April, 1998, Bob and Marilyn Martin's truck got stuck in mud in a remote estuary of Baja California while on a DE trip led by the Johns. Others on the trip were Alan Romspert, Dave McFarland with Janice Gruetzke, and Paul Ferry with me. The rescue involved some serious pulling with tow-straps, which led, eventually, to a strong aroma from overheated clutches.

Bob, in a moment of giddy weakness when we finally pulled him out, assured us all that he would cover any damage done to our vehicles as a result of the rescue. He did send us new straps to replace those that were damaged.

My passenger, Paul, lives in Vancouver BC, and owns a Nissan SX, that, coincidentally, was showing signs of clutch distress, even at that time. So, immediately upon his return, Paul (jokingly) e-mailed Bob that the SX clutch needed work and would Bob stand behind his promise to pay for damage?

Bob replied (jokingly) that if Paul could prove that the SX was at the scene of the rescue, Bob would pay for clutch repair.

A year later, Paul and I decided to doctor up the proof, and lay it on Bob and Marilyn, along with a claim for clutch repair, at their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Paul sent me a picture of his SX (lower left, above) from Vancouver, and the claim*. I did the doctoring and I did lay the composite photograph and Paul's claim on the Martins at the anniversary party.

I'm afraid that Bob and Marilyn will figure out a way to get even with us.

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