Back home they tell the story about when the new deputy sheriff took over and was soon given the nickname “The Enforcer” for the way he dispensed his version of the law.

If you had something as minor as a dirty license plate, he’d pull you over and write you a ticket. A broken tail light would get you a ticket even faster. If you were in the habit of driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hand holding your cell, he’d paper you with citations. There wasn’t any infraction so minor that The Enforcer wouldn’t pull you over, whip out his ticket book and write you up.

This was news to Tink Billings, a retired lobsterman, who still drove his old ‘57 Ford half-ton truck to do his daily errands. He hadn’t yet heard of or met The Enforcer, until one day he was driving on the River Road toward the upper corner and looked in his rearview mirror only to see the telltale blue lights of the law winking at him. He was getting pulled over, something that hadn’t happened to Tink in more than 30 years. The young deputy fella came up to Tink’s window with his book of tickets and pen at the ready. After looking at Tink’s license, registration and proof of insurance, he said, “Well, Mr. Billings, I noticed you got your right brake light out, so I’m going to have to cite you.”

“Oh, I think I can explain that, officer. You see, usually when I’m braking, I tend to favor the left side of the brake pedal, which might explain why the right brake light doesn’t go on.”

Not being a jokester himself, The Enforcer did not appreciate Tink’s attempt at humor one bit.

“I’ll ignore that, Mr. Billings,” he said, and he started writing the ticket.

Just then, a swarm of flies gathered around the deputy’s face, and the young officer started swatting and cursing at them.

Tink said, “I see you’re being bothered by them awful circle flies.”

The Enforcer sputtered as he kept swatting. “Circle flies? What the heck are circle flies?”

“They call them circle flies ‘cause at this time of year you often see them circling around the hind end of a horse.”

After considering that for moment, the deputy said, “Why Mr. Billings, are you calling me a horse’s ass?”

Tink took his time in responding. “No sir, I’m not. I got too much respect for the law to do something like that.”

And after pausing a bit Tink added, “Hard to fool them flies, though.”

John McDonald is the author of five books on Maine, including “John McDonald’s Maine Trivia: A User’s Guide to Useless Information.” Contact him at mainestoryteller@yahoo.com.