David Doughty

The Counselor: Fred and Wilma Flintstone are living the high life. Fred has a one million life insurance policy from “The Rock Insurance Company.” One day, because of a clerical error involving a death certificate for a “Frederick Flagstone,” Wilma — the named beneficiary — receives a check for a cool million. Before long, Fred and Wilma buy a new Mercedes, a huge mansion and all the “bubbly” the wine cellar will hold.

Vito is the president of the Angola Parish Police Jury. He and his juror buddies, Sonny, Michael, Clemenza, and Luca control the local purse strings. Vito and his buddies meet one night in a smoke filled room at Godfather’s Pizza. The men are discussing what ditches will be dug and what streets will be paved in the coming year. Of course, all of their supporters and friends will be the first on the list.

If you’ve ever watched The Andy Griffith Show, you probably noticed something that seems almost impossible today. In Mayberry, folks rarely signed contracts. Andy Taylor, Barney Fife, Floyd the Barber, and their neighbors did business with a handshake and a person’s word. Years ago, much of rural Louisiana worked the same way.