The Road to Anger Management

My name is Karl, I'm a fourth level druid of average height, weight and intelligence. I have a decent amount of hit points. In an incident during the summer of 2004, I was unwillingly dragged into a scuffle with physical consequnces to the instigators. I spent 20 hours in the Minotuar's Labyrinth as they were driven to the hospital. The charges read like an out-take from Starky and Hutch. I made the police blotter but, I didn't make headline news. I was charged as a violent fellon: "the People v. Karl the Druid". After 16 months of a court dates, DA G------ had an unwilling witness, a victim that was hard to reach and an overcharged case. My attorney posed a Misdemeanor Plea. At my sentencing Judge D--------- added Anger Management (a 12 to 26 week program) and Alcohol Abuse Assessment.

Despite the judge saying it would do me good, it was more like an opportunity throw salt in my eyes as I go down. The clerk, Ms. R-------- , said there is no such thing as Alcohol Abuse Assessment, it's actually a small part of the Drug Rehab/Treatment Program for domestic and violent fellons (which Karl is neither). Last Wednesday it took the clerk about an hour or so to place me in a program. She said I didn't fit into any of the given categories, it was this or Drug Treatment.

Is Karl angry? Well, not yet. But Karl might be after trying to manuerver through the Kings County Criminal Curt system. Karl takes a more Zen-like approach.

As the sign by the elevator the reads, "You Are Here". So here I am, but it seems I never know what's next until I get there. Surfing through the criminal court system for over a year has been like being kidnapped and then being thrown from a plane. I've been taken out of my normal life, I don't know what's next and eventually I'll just hit the ground somehow.

Monday, December 19
I had to reschedule a home visit from my PO, Mr. L---. I told him I had Anger Management in the morning and I'd miss the home visit. He said "Well Karl, you wouldn't want to make them angry." I laughed politely. I'm never sure of how I'm supposed to react. He seems like a decent guy, but he is "the man".

At the Fortune Society in Chlesea, 8:00 am
After waiting for an hour or so, we were told that all programs were now overbooked and that we'd be re-assigned or we can just go home. Go home and what? I stayed not knowing what to expect. A woman in a smart navy blue suit enterred the waiting lounge. The lounge was decked in early 80's re-hab, from the muddy art therapy exhibit to the dirty paper snow flakes strung from the ceiling.
"Good morning, I'm Ms. L----, Has anyone been released form Rikers in the past 6 weeks?"
"Has anyone here recently been released from jail?"
"How about drug rehab, parole?"
"Is anyone here for employment opportunities?".
No one raised a hand except for the Hassidic guy. We looked each other over asuming that the other was just plain angry.
"OK then, I'll call you in the order that you signed in for your re-assignment."

I waited for another 30 minutes. I eventually interviewed with Counselor C-----. I noticed the art on her walls. She said, these were gifts from a client. I said I liked the colorful peice that looked like confetti, I liked the wavy flowers. She pointed out that the dark shadow in the middle was the client and the wavy lines were barbed wire. I wasn't at all partial to his drawing of a blind-folded man crucified to a chain link fence.

After much calling around, I was referred to BATF at 000 C----- Street. That's where I teach! What are the chances of that? I told Ms. C-----, she asked if I knew Ms. R------. I said no I'm only involved with Continuing Ed (not Rehab).

I got home and spent the rest of morning trying to contact BATF. I reached a Mr. L---- just before noon and he said that sessions will not start until January but he can't be certian of availability or duration, so I should tell my PO that I called him. He said it was nice to touch base with me. At my home visit, Mr. L---- made a map of my dwelling. I told him I wasn't assigned to a program yet. He said it was typical with the Holidays. Tomorrow I have a probation appointment at 8:00 am and Subtance/Drug Abuse Assessment in the afternoon.

Epilogue
So what will they report when they find Karl doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem? Should Karl start a drug habit to give them something to work with? Karl is conflicted.