Pet Peeve of the Week

People who create elaborate riddles and cryptic messages, when a simple call or e-mail would have "tended to the matter" a lot sooner. I knew it was you from the first post, but didn't have the evidence until now.

If you're expecting to be rewarded handsomely for this, riddler, I think you'll be disappointed. I'm not the well-off, care-free Willie I once was. In dragging this matter out in the fashion you did, you've accomplished little. But, I have started to think about it more. And all I can say is that, once I've taken care of my matter, you shouldn't forget about your implied promise.

To put it simply, I like to get my money's worth. If I've "neglected my matter", it's not as much to do with neglect as it is to do with the fact that I'm feeling a little ripped off.

You've got rights, but so do I. I'm willing to reach an agreement here, but not at the expense of my life itself. That said, I hope you're not disappointed by the end result of your little game.

Again, a simple call or e-mail would have sufficed. I'll assume you still know how to reach me, just that you don't want to.