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Diane has often told me I should write a book about my experiences as the owner/operator of Sarasota Lock & Key Shop, dealing with people from all walks of life.  Safety and security transects all of life's strata.

During 42 years of operating a lock and key business I was called upon many times to get people into a locked house, car or building. Surprisingly though, I had several service calls to get people OUT of locked closets, bathrooms and walk-in refrigerators. This was before everybody had cell phones and fortunately other people were within ear shot.  Usually, the situation was exacerbated by the lock having broken when the door was slammed shut, so my lock picking skill was useless. Time for the universal master key, a Big Framing Hammer and a screwdriver.

Without a doubt, my most unusual service call was to a house on Hudson Bayou and Lincoln Drive. Dan and Lokie Pooler resembled Ma and Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main and Percy Killbride), comparable to today's Hollywood Hillbillies.They used to push a wheelbarrow around their neighborhood picking up neighbor's yard trash and plant clippings. Their compost pile was higher than the roof of their house.Weird, I thought.

Mrs. Pooler led me through the house and into her bathroom. She pointed up to the ceiling and said she wanted a lock installed on it because the circus (Ringling) was back in town and the midgets move into her attic, and she can hear them and she was fearful they would come down through the ceiling and attack her. There was no door, just the ceiling.

I told her I'd have to go back to my shop and look in my supplier's catalogue...so, since 1958 I've been afraid to drive down Lincoln Drive in case she or her ghost sees me.  Life is good....