Jim Thompson

Email Jim at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com

By Fos, the Rat

After a brief recess, the Court of Superior Rats reconvened and got back to work. The Head Supreme Rat called the Court back into session.

"What is next on the docket, clerk?"

"The next case is a digester that fell down."

"Was it a batch digester or a continuous digester?"

"Continuous."

"Was it in service?" The Head Supreme Rat raised her voice.

"No. It apparently hadn't been in service for a dozen or more years."

"Any damage?" The Head Supreme Rat was roaring by now.

"Yes, your honor. An incalculable number of rats were injured, many fatally. They were between the digester shell and the lagging, in the insulation. Then there was a tour group of Big Things from a pulp and paper school that just happened to be going by."

"What happened to them?"

"They scattered like rats. Sorry your honor. But three of them got caught up close to the digester and couldn't get away. They were killed."

"Anything else?"

"Well, there was a pump more securely tied to a piece of discharge pipe than to its base. It was slung through the air like a stone in a trebuchet. It went through the paper machine wet end roof and right through the bottom wire table."

"What did that do? I hope no more Big Things, or rats, were hurt."

"No, no more living things were hurt. But it took a week to get the machine repaired and running again."

The Head Supreme Rat look up from her bench and gave a friendly gesture, "Ah, Ms. Rhodent, glad to see you have joined the prosecutor's office."

"Thank you, your honor. I must admit I appear in your court room with fear and trepidation. The last time I was here, you told me to 'get out of here and never come back.'"

"Yes. Yes I did. But now you are on our team. Glad to have you."

"Thank you."

"So, do we have any investigation, testimony or witnesses in this case?

"Yes we do. This is a criminal case, so we have a goodly number of things to go over."

"And I see this is going to be a bench trial--no jury. And of course it is. We are at the Court of Superior Rats. Who is or are the defendants?'

"Well, the defendants are Western Paper, of Kansas City. Missouri and Reid McGregor, Divisional Vice President."

"Didn't I just read about them related to the Osage Mill?"

"You might have, but that was a number of years ago. This incident took place at their Harrington Mill."

"Oh. I see it is about lunch time. We'll adjourn until 9 am tomorrow. We have another case to finish up this afternoon."

The clerk said, "All rise!" and the Head Supreme Rat and the other Supreme Rats left the room.

Be safe and we will talk next week--Fos.

Podcast of this column available here.

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