in which we experience our first shake-down

yep.

the varkenhusband gets accosted by the slovak police.

for running a red light.

and yes, i am (inconveniently) riding along w/ him.

first, they want to take away his american driving license. and his passport. (we can't have that, now, can we?). then they hint that there must be a penalty of some sort.

why, yes, of COURSE there should be some sort of penalty. hmmmmm.... but of what sort? we spend the next 30 minutes discussing the "penalty of sorts"...

850 euros.

yes. that's the first go 'round.

huh? 850 euros for following some OTHER guy making a right turn on red?

yep. 850 euros, my friend...

well, we ain't GOT 850 euros in our pockets. funny thing here - one must pay JOHNNY ON THE SPOT for these tickets. or the price goes up uP UP.

wanna know what the final cost was?

yes, still outrageous. but it's what we had in our collective wallets (minus the change - and no trip to the atm)

60 euro.

know what they stamped for the immediate payment of the ticket?

10 euros.

we got away cheap.

this time...