A Fable for Out Times

[From Bruce Gregory (991117.1335 EST)]

Once there was an HPCT system named Rick. Rick was hurrying to a meeting
when he was pulled over to side of the road by a California Highway
Patrolman.

"Do you know how fast you were going?" the policeman asked.

"No," said Rick. "I wasn't controlling that perception."

"What?" said the policeman.

"Never mind," said Rick.

"Well you were doing 80 in a 65 mile per hour zone," said the policeman,
pulling out his ticket book.

"But that wasn't my intention," Rick said.

"What?" said the policeman.

"I am only responsible for the perceptions I am controlling, and I was
not controlling my perception of speed. I was controlling my perception
of getting to my meeting on time. Properly speaking you could ticket me
for controlling the perception of being on time, but as far as I am
aware there is no statute making this a penal offence."

"Are you some kind of smart ass..." asked the policeman.

"I don't think so," Rick responded truthfully. "I just can't sign a
ticket that implies that I was controlling my perception of speed when I
wasn't."

"O.K., buddy," said the policeman. "Get out of the car. I'm giving you a
sobriety test."