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                   AN INJUSTICE A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
                                  by
                           Richard M. Ruiz


   When Charles Dickens created the character Ebenezer Scrooge for his
book, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, He never dreamed that in in real life many
people would fit the description of that hard miserly misanthrope he
introduced to the Christian World.

   One such person apparently exist in the Ft. Lauderdale area of Florida
in the body of a young millionaire that own and operates an air 
conditioner service.

   Consider the experience of one Charlie Cotto, a hard working air
conditioner specialist, who until Tuesday worked for this rich Scrooge
of Ft. Lauderdale. The story goes like this:

   Charlie's wife, Deborah, was hospitalized last week for what her
doctor described as "bronchopneumonia." The couple live in their recently
purchased home, 191 SW 77th Terrace, Margate, Florida. They have no
relatives in Florida and the couple are striving to make ends meet. 
As the result of Deborah's illness, Charlie was forced to take a few
days off from work to care for their 11 year old son, Jason.

   As the old saying goes: " When it rains it pours," the very same day
Deborah was sent home from the hospital, Charlie came down with what
he thought was the "flu." On top of all that was happening to the young
couple, their car broke down on the way home.

   Fearing there was no car available in case of an emergency, Charlie
decided to drive the company truck, he had parked in his driveway, to
the nearest auto parts store to buy the part that his car needed to
run again. While on the way to the auto parts store, he was seen by
a co-worker, which immediately alerted his boss, Mr. Scrooge.

   Later that day, Scrooge appeared at the Cotto's home with a Police
Officer, got Charlie out of bed, fired him in front of his family and
drove away in the company truck with the cop close behind him in his
Squad Car.

   The sad part of the story is that the Cotto family have no savings
to carry them through the holidays. The following day Charlie himself
was admitted to the hospital and is now in intensive care for a chronic
bronchial condition that may have been brought about by the events of the
week.

   If anybody wishes to confirm the legitimacy of this story, they may
do so by calling the Cotto Family at:

                           305-726-3294

   Charlie Cotto was employed by Industrial Air, 3511 N.E. 22nd Avenue,
Ft. Lauderdale. 1-800-333-4001 or 954-537-5544. As Mrs. Cotto told this
writer: "The only thing we're praying for is that Santa bring my husband
a job offer soon after he's able to work again and that God help us in
the days ahead."

I am, Richard M. Ruiz
Tel: 516-753-0890
E-Mail: rmruiz@tribeca.ios.com    

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