What a humiliation!
After I had led a blameless life for almost 35 years, here I am standing in the dock on a charge of indecent exposure.
I could hardly believe they were talking about me when they read out the charges. Then the witnesses described in great detail how this gentleman had approached the Post Office counter on pension day and started to remove all his clothing.
My mind went back to reading out Nuremberg and how sceptical I'd been when those on trial for war crimes claimed they'd only been following orders. Yet that is my only crime.
Like most of my generation, I was brought up to respect the law and obey without question every command or official notice issued by those in authority. Until now I have followed that precept to the letter. For example, I never use drugs after seeing 'Keep off the Grass' notices.
When the Government scrapped the pension book system, I relied on my friendly postmaster to tell me how to work the new card system.
Of late, though, he hasn't been speaking so clearly, so armed with a new set of specs I determined to master the new system.
I joined the queue, with card at the ready, repeating my PIN over and over to myself as I waited my turn.
At last, the window was clear and I found that I could read the instructions on the little machine on the counter.
'Insert Card - face down.'
No problem, in with the card, look down!
'Strip - Face Up'
So I did just that - and look where it got me.
After I had led a blameless life for almost 35 years, here I am standing in the dock on a charge of indecent exposure.
I could hardly believe they were talking about me when they read out the charges. Then the witnesses described in great detail how this gentleman had approached the Post Office counter on pension day and started to remove all his clothing.
My mind went back to reading out Nuremberg and how sceptical I'd been when those on trial for war crimes claimed they'd only been following orders. Yet that is my only crime.
Like most of my generation, I was brought up to respect the law and obey without question every command or official notice issued by those in authority. Until now I have followed that precept to the letter. For example, I never use drugs after seeing 'Keep off the Grass' notices.
When the Government scrapped the pension book system, I relied on my friendly postmaster to tell me how to work the new card system.
Of late, though, he hasn't been speaking so clearly, so armed with a new set of specs I determined to master the new system.
I joined the queue, with card at the ready, repeating my PIN over and over to myself as I waited my turn.
At last, the window was clear and I found that I could read the instructions on the little machine on the counter.
'Insert Card - face down.'
No problem, in with the card, look down!
'Strip - Face Up'
So I did just that - and look where it got me.
