Police stop

What's the most incredulous excuse you can give for being late for an appointment?

Neo, Zing, Tim and I were on our way to Aaron and Montse's house when we got stopped by the police.

It's Zing's last week in Houston. Aaron (my co-worker) and his girlfriend invited us to a home-made farewell dinner on Saturday evening. Tim drove his Celica. We were cruising along Buffalo Speedway within the speed limit of 30 miles/hr when we saw a police car in front of ours.

Not more than a minute after we saw the police, we suddenly saw it behind our car flashing its headlight and siren, signalling for us to stop. We were bewildered as we had absolutely no idea what the police wanted from us. We were definitely within the speed limit but still we were a little nervous especially since Tim just got a speeding ticket in Dallas not too long ago.

We drove into a garage and stopped. In the US, when one is stopped by the police, it is absolutely necessary that one remains in the car unless summoned by the police to do otherwise. Sounds like watching NYPD?!!

Anyway, we stayed in the car and waited. After a few moments, the policelady got out of her car and approached Tim who had already unwound his window, and took out his driver's license and insurance card (You see, that was the fourth time Tim had been stopped so he was kinda familiar with the procedure already).

Policelady: God bless you. The reason I am stopping you is because you don't have a front license plate.

All of us: HUH?!!!!!

Tim: It was definitely there when I drove the car yesterday. It might have dropped off.

Policelady: Pass me your driver's license and valid financial responsibility.

Tim passed her the paperwork and she went back to the car. Meanwhile, we remained in the car as we knew we werent supposed to get out even though we so wanted to take a look at the front of the car.

After several minutes, the policelady came back.

Policelady: I will let you off with a warning this time but make sure you get a new license plate asap.

Tim: Thank you. I will.

Policelady then strolled back to her car. Once she went into her car, we decided to get out of the car to check out the missing license plate even though I think we weren't supposed to until the police leave.

In any case, we were too curious to wait. I walked out first since I looked the least threatening. :P I walked to the front of the car.Guess what I saw?

YES, THE LICENSE PLATE!

I turned to Tim and questioned, "Isn't this the license plate?"

Tim looked on in disbelief.

He then went over to the policelady to asked if by license plate she meant what we were seeing just to make sure we weren't missing anything she said.

The policelady got out of her= car and went to the front of our car.

Policelady: OH SHIT!


Can you believe it? That's how we arrived late for the farewell dinner.

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Aaron and Montse are such wonderful hosts. Montse prepared the whole meal from appetisers to desserts all by herself. The dinner was an interesting mix of Mexican and French food. Zing took photos of the food. Will post them here once I get the photos from her.