|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Doctor Balis?
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Yes?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
It's Sharon. I don't know what to do.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
What's the matter?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
My landlord...he just called me. He says I have to get out of my apartment. He says I have to leave today. I had an argument with him over the weekend, and he told me to get out. I still had the rest of this month and next month. But today, he called and said I had to leave right away.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
He can't do that. To my knowledge, San Francisco rent ordinances prohibit...
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
He said I molested his youngest son--that I inappropriately touched him. That's total bullshit. He's just making it up to get rid of me. I can't believe they would sink so low. They said if I came back, they would call the police and have me arrested.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Sharon, you need to call an attorney...
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
What am I going to do? He says he'll throw out all my stuff if I don't get out today. He threatened to kill me if I came near his kids again. I can't believe he's doing this! I can't believe this is happening.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Sharon, calm down. You've got to talk to an attorney right away. Do you know one?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
But what am I going to do?
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
You need someone specializing in criminal work. I don't happen to know anyone in San Francisco, but...
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
But I can't go back there now! Where am I going to stay?
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Is there someone you can stay with?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Um, well, yeah. I know some people. I used to feed their cats when they went on vacation. I have the keys to their house...
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Don't just go to their house. Give them a call and ask if you can stay for a few days. Tell them what happened. Maybe they can recommend a lawyer for you.
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
But what about all my stuff? What about Harriet? And I've got so much work to do...
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
This is serious. Take Harriet with you, of course. The attorney will also give you a recommendation on what to do about your living arrangements, okay?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Okay. I'm sorry. I'm just so panicked. I didn't think he'd stoop that low.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
It's going to be okay, Sharon.
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Yeah, you're right.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Call your friend, and then find an attorney as soon as possible. You might want to call the San Francisco Bar Association for a referral, okay?
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Okay.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Balis:
|
|
Listen, Sharon, we're seeing each other tomorrow morning, right? I'll see you at ten am. But you need to talk to an attorney in the meantime.
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Lough:
|
|
Thanks. Goodbye, Doctor Balis. I'll see you tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
###
|
|