Deep in the heart of Texas. Our summer TX tour is wrapping up. Only 3 more concerts, then we are headed home! We have had some good singings & the weather hasn’t been all that bad. Matter of fact the weather is hotter back in Nashville than here in Texas?
I did have one moment of this trip that I feel I should go ahead and share with you before you see it on the gossip blogs or TMZ. When we first got to TX when stopped in Jasper, at a DQ, to get lunch. This is a DQ that we have stopped at several times. We stop there enough that the people working were saying “its the singers from TN.” As I got off the bus I took a small Wal-Mart sized bag of trash off the bus to throw in the dumpster. Then we all walked inside and placed our orders. While I was waiting for my order and man walked up to me and asked if I was on that bus. As I said yes, I noticed he was from the City of Jasper. He asked if he could speak to me outside. Now I assumed it was because of the way our bus was parked. When we got outside the man began to have an attitude. He said “the manager has called me and told me that you threw the trash from your bus into the dumpster.” I explained it was just a small bag and we have done that for years. He lets me know that what I did was a crime in Jasper, TX. I apologized and let him know that I had no clue. He points to the dumpster and says “can’t you read.” I said “yes I can, but there is no sign or any markings on that dumpster.”
It was at this point he showed me who was boss. “Boy, I have the power by the city of Jasper to fine you right now” he said. He went on to say “you have to options I can write you a fine or you can get your trash
back out of the dumpster.” I told him I would just get the trash, that it was really not a big deal. You would think that it would be over, but as I am walking to get the trash back out of the dumpster he is making smart remarks to me? To make matters worse the dumpster was empty so I couldn’t just grab my trash. I had to dumpster dive. I looked so stupid with my legs hanging out of that dumpster…
So the trash is out of the dumpster and back on our bus. I go back into the DQ, wash my hands and wait for my order. About the time my food comes I hear a cop car. You have got to be kidding me! One of the employees asked “who called about the singers using our dumpster”? The manager spoke up, “I did, DQ pays for that dumpster and they can’t use it. Using our dumpster is a felony.” Holy cow, a felony!!! I was hoping that “felony” was the name of a new blizzard! The cop spoke to the City man outside while I just waited to be arrested. Then I heard another cop pull up. The swat team set-up base across the street. They placed snipers on the roof. I looked for a way out but they had the place surrounded! (I am teasing, of course, about the swat team and snipers. But I bet that was next)
The cop then came in to talk to the manager and then made her way to me. She (the cop) walked over and said “it has come to my attention that you have emptied some trash in that dumpster, is this correct?” I explained to her the size of the bag of trash and that we have always done that. She told me “you have two options, you can get the trash or I can write you a fine.” I told her “I already got the trash back out of the dumpster. I am a Southern Gospel singer, do you think I can afford to pay a fine?”
Once the cop heard I had already got the trash out it became clear that the City worker didn’t give the cop all the information. It sounded like the City worker told the cop that I was not being corporative or something. Needless to say, I didn’t eat a bite of my food. As I took my tray, full of food, to throw away I asked the cop… “Can I throw this away or do I need to take it back on the bus to TN?” She laughed and said “throw it away”
DQ will be getting a nicely worded letter from our group. To be included will be the Mayor of Jasper, the Governor of TX and if need be President Obama. No matter what, I can assure you of this… Scott Lucas will NEVER again eat at DQ in Jasper, TX! I have said my peace and counted to three!!!
-Scott
