Clovis walks between two cars parked in front of the convenience store. Casually he glances inside one of the cars. There on the front seat is a pack of cigarettes, a Bic lighter, and a big ole chocolate candy bar.

Thinking that these goodies have been left alone in the car with no adult supervision, Clovis decides he must do something about that. Stealthily he glances around, then reaches into the car and grabs his prize. You must understand that this guy is no dummy. He’s about as smart as any ’possum you’ll ever see.

There’s a towel on the car’s armrest, which Clovis uses to wipe off any possible fingerprints on the front seat and around the door frame. Clovis knows how cops look for clues. He watches reruns of "Matlock."

This petty thievery exemplifies Clovis’ life-style. He never has been able to pay attention to what’s happening. That’s what got him kicked out of grade school, and what got him fired from every job he ever had.

Clovis never paid attention to what was going on. Even now he’s failing to notice some very important details. Details such as the two-way radio mounted on the car’s dashboard; the metal screen between the front and back seats; the blue and red light bar mounted on the roof of the car; or the big decal on the car door with the word, "Police."

So it comes as a total shock to Clovis when a six-foot-tall cop grabs him by the arm and invites him to take a ride in the back of the shiny patrol car.

"I’m giving you your stuff back," Clovis pleads as he holds up the cigarettes, lighter and candy.

"That stuff goes into the evidence locker," the cop says. "It’s a shame I can’t lift your fingerprints off the door frame - you’re too clever for me. You must watch reruns of ‘Matlock.’"