Dear Marion,

The March 3rd hearing is history. In a rhetorical perspective
the hearing went well. My senses of humor and self-confidence
were in full bloom. I lambasted Mr. Pucci for the nonsense that
the permit had again been denied because Mr. Gordon had allegedly
listed an insufficient number of fixtures on the application.
I explained to the Court that the correct number of fixtures
could not be determined at the time of permit issuance but only
at the inspection which was in turn contingent on the permit.
It was irrational to hold up issuance of the permit because of
uncertainty about the correct number of fixtures. I argued that
Nantucket's persistent denial of the permit was an act of bad faith,
intended only to cause delay.  This argument was persuasive to the
Court who was otherwise very sympathetic to the Town.  Nantucket's
persisting obstruction appeared as a venial wrong, finally atoned
for with the issuance of the permit on Tuesday morning, March 1.

I'm embarrassed that my initial favorable impression of the
judge was inapproriately enthusiastic. Today, the judge appeared
dull-witted and unintelligent. She hadn't done her homework,
she didn't know the facts of the case, she didn't have a grasp
of the law, and she was puzzled by the Appeals Court decision
that she was required to implement. She didn't want to know
details of the present standoff.  Though polite, she was hostile
to me. I think she identified me as a troublemaker, too smart
for her and for my own good.  She set a deadline of 45 days for
the plumbing to be approved, or for the parties to reach an
agreement, - about what I don't know. Otherwise she would hold
a formal hearing (on the facts) or dismiss the case. On dismissal
a new action would have to be brought. I refrained of course from
reminding her that a dismissal would be subject to review by the
Appeals Court.

This evening I telephoned Mr. Gordon and confirmed that the permit
has indeed been issued. The delay resulted from the circumstance
that a dishwasher connection, which I did not intend to have installed
had not been listed. For reasons I don't understand, the inspection
has not yet been scheduled. Mr. Gordon promised to telephone as soon
as he knows the date and time. The inspection will not be done by
Mr. Ciarmataro but by the alternate inspector. In our telephone 
conversation, Mr. Gordon was very critical of the Nantucket Building
Department. He kept repeating "They're liars." I don't doubt that,
but I don't know exactly to which lies was referring. He was very
friendly and supportive and said he wasn't at all worried about a
spoiled relationship with the Nantucket authorities, that if his
business went under, it would be his fault, not mine.

Tonight I'm much more tired than usual, understandably so. I had
compulsively over-prepared for the hearing, and now that it's behind
me, I have difficulty reorienting my mind. But that will happen,
sooner rather than later.

Jochen