Stopping the Illegal Flower Trade

I have a friend who lives in a state where the flower industry has pushed forward legislation that requires anyone growing flowers for resale must acquire all of the appropriate licenses.  And, as is often the case when regulation is introduced, there will be people that seek to circumnavigate the rules.  As a matter of fact, the "black market" trade of flowers in their state has become a booming business.

Now, it just happens that my friend owns some land, but does not live on that land.  They typically visit the property to fish at the small pond and walk in the woods that are well back from the road.

One day in early May, they went to drop a line in the water for a while.  As they walked through the woods to get to the pond, they came across a greenhouse and a small shed that had NOT been there in November, the time of their last visit.  Much to their surprise, a couple of monks exited the greenhouse carrying arms full of cut flowers toward the shed.

Now, you might ask how my friend knew these were monks, and that would be a fair question.  Apparently, these individuals were members of an order that still wore cowls (hooded cloaks) as part of the daily uniform.  Or, maybe they were just people who dressed like monks.  But, the encounter soon confirmed the suspicion that they were holy men affiliated with a church.

Of course, my friend was astonished and a bit angered.  The monks were confronted and a demand was made that they remove themselves from the property.  Unfortunately, the monks quietly, but firmly claimed that they had been given a sign from God that this particular place was where they should grow flowers to raise money for their holy works.  It didn't seem to matter how my friend approached the subject, there didn't seem to be a way where they could be persuaded to leave.

My friend called the church and got nowhere with them.  They tried logic, they tried bargaining, and they even tried threats.  There was just no getting the holy men to leave the woods on his land.

Finally, a call was made to the sheriff of the county.  Hugh Johnson had been sheriff for almost thirty years and was well-respected throughout the area.  Sheriff Hugh Johnson was known to be fair, but firm, when the situation called for it.  And, it just so happened that the sheriff played in a band with my friend's uncle on the weekend, so it wasn't too hard to ask for the favor of a visit to the forested area where the monks grew their illicit flowers.  

All it took was one visit from Sheriff Hugh and the problem was solved.  The monks took down their greenhouse and shed, and their flower operation was dismantled in a matter of hours.

Of course, you know why.

Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.  

....

You're welcome.  Have a fine weekend.