They called. When I say they, I mean Maintenance Enforcement.
“Hello Mr. Legalprison, this is Maintenance Enforcement calling.” My throat was dry, they called me at work. What if my co-workers found out that I was in prison?
“Um, yes hello, this is Mr. Legalprison, what can I do for you?”
“Please verify this is you by providing your PIN or Social Security Number.”
My Pin was actually a Prison a number given to a prisoner for administrative and identification purposes. Short of tatooing it on my arm, it was the number. I gave the number. I was a little behind on my MEP payments not much but enough to get their attention. I submitted a proposal to catchup with the payments. My proposal included selling all my personal property to pay them off.
“Mr. Legalprison, I looked over your letter of proposal and everything seems in order. Lets not fall behind again shall we?”
Wow – I proposed selling everything I had and they didn’t blink an eye. As long as the money is paid, what do they care where it comes from.
“No, no – I won’t fall behind again I promise.” Hell, I had lost everything else during this, may as well throw in my pride and ego as well.
“Good, good Mr. Legalprison, why don’t you pay online so we can collect the money faster.”
“Um, sure whatever you want.” What the hell was I going to say? These people could throw you into prison and take your life away.
I had one more question. I fell down on my knees (metaphorically speaking), “Could you please release my account so I can pay my bills and buy some food?” I was begging now, I needed the money, I was tired of eating sugar packets from the coffee room.
Pause at the other end of the phone, I could hear typing going on. “Well, I suppose that could be arranged, as long as you keep up with your payments.”
“I sure will MEP, I sure will, cause I likes to eat.” This is what I was thinking. It didn’t even dawn on her or MEP that my latest financial statement for my earnings was $30,000 less than what I used to make. The amount for child support should have been adjusted to $1290 from the $1500 I was paying but because I was busy selling off everything I own to pay the outstanding amount, I lacked the resources to hire a lawyer to get it adjusted. My spousal support payment would never be adjusted. I could make $11 an hour I would still owe it. Just shut the hell up and pay us.
rainMaker 