Marvin held a large envelope with his business license in it. Of
course, the college degree was the real sticking point. He sighed
and thought that his love counseling, fly tying service was fun
while it lasted."Mr. Pincus?"
"Uh, yes," Marvin said, turning around.
"I'm Emily Stickles. I wrote you the letter?"
Marvin smiled and nodded.
"We'll get this over as quickly as possible."
In the second row of spectators, Dewey Decker's mouth dropped
open. Emily Stickles. She wasn't what he'd pictured when he read
Marvin's letter. Prune didn't exactly fit this vision of loveliness.
She was statuesque. She had a soft smile. She had great cheekbones.
She had a kind eye. She was young.
The examiner called the hearing to order. Ms. Stickles said Mr.
Pincus had been operating a counseling center without a license and
credentials.
Marvin showed the license to the examiner.
Emily Stickles smiled. "But Mr. Pincus, that alone... Do you
have a college degree?"
"Yes, he does!" called a voice from the back row. A stocky-built
man walked to the front. "I'm Dr. Walter Snow, director of Jerry Hat
Trick Community College. We have awarded Mr. Pincus an honorary
associate in arts degree for his outstanding service to lonely
people and the sport of fishing."
Marvin took the certificate and just stood there.
