Jury Duty

Hold onto your Stetsons, folks, because I just got a doozy in the mail. This fancy-schmancy envelope promised me a spot on the coveted America’s Got Talent judges’ table. Now, in my neck of the woods, Connecticut, your boss legally owes you five whole days of jury duty pay. After that, it’s a bit less glamorous, but hey, a day off is a day off, right?

Except, Montana plays by its own quirky rules. I checked the Missoula federal website, expecting the same deal. Nope! Turns out, here, your employer can leave you high and dry, cash-wise. They just can’t fire you (laid off? Now that’s a different story…). So, what’s the grand prize for sacrificing a day’s pay for “The Duty”? A whopping $12 for showing up as potential juror fodder, and a princely $25 if you actually get to sit on a case. Wow, talk about pizza dreams at The Bridge (spoiler alert: not happening on that budget).

Now, let’s get real. I’m giving up a day’s work because someone went rogue and robbed a bank. You know what? I’m starting to see their point. Maybe they were desperate after enduring endless America’s Got Talent auditions. I can’t blame them! So, here’s my official statement: Yes, I’m biased. My sympathies lie with anyone willing to risk life and limb for a quick buck. They’re probably just trying to avoid another season of watching people juggle flaming bowling pins.