Paul heard his next door neighbour, George, hammering and sawing all morning. Paul's wife sent him to investigate.

When he looked over the fence, Paul saw that George was doing something with the big tree in his back yard. Now George was not popular in the neighborhood. Some people thought he was nasty and called him a bully. Others feared and hated him.

George recently accused a neighbour of planning to kill his grass, by pouring herbicide on it. He called the cops and they searched the neighbor's garage but found no evidence. George didn't give up. The disagreement eventually led to physical violence. This sort of thing made George very unpopular in the community.

"What're you doing, George?" Paul asked his neighbor.

"I'm defending my property from the axis of evil, " George replied. George was given to broad condemnations and bombastic accusations. He often used words that Paul knew he didn't really understand. George wasn't too bright which made him especially dangerous.

"I'm building me a projectile interception devise. Kim, on the other side of your property is building himself a big catapult and he's getting ready to lob a rock at my house. I need this to defend myself."

"George, if you and Kim have a disagreement why don't you talk to him about it?" Paul suggested. "Try to work something out before it comes to violence."

"Force is all people like Kim understand," George said. "I should know. I've beaten up lots of guys just like him."

Paul looked at George's project. He'd tied a rope around one of the tree's large branches and pulled it down to the ground, forming a crude catapult.

"When Kim fires a rock at my house, I shoot it down with one of mine."

Paul had heard some pretty half-baked plans, but this one topped them all. He wondered if his neighbour had finally lost it.

"You should join me," George told him. "It's in your own best interest. I could protect you too, if we work together. There could be other benefits as well. You could sell me the stones from your rock garden. It'd give you a tidy little profit. Besides if you're working with me you get to be part of the decision making process."

Paul told George he'd have to think about it. He knew his wife would object. She wanted him to spend time with the kids, and help with local volunteer programs that would improve the community. His wife didn't like him hanging out with George, breaking things and hurting people.

Later that day Paul was watering the Cannabis plants on the other side of his property. He heard hammering and sawing in Kim's yard and looked over the fence.

Kim was not popular in the neighborhood either. Paul and Kim were not close friends. They had very different views on child rearing and Paul knew his neighbour was abusive. He asked Kim what he was building.

"Your crazy neighbor, George, keeps threatening me. I'm building a big catapult that can throw a rock at his house. I want him to know I can hurt him if he starts with me."

Paul urged Kim to talk to George. He told Kim about the community group where people go to work out disputes, without using violence.

"I try that," Kim said. "Everybody talk good, but George keeps building his big catapult. If he attack me I hurt him good. The only thing he understands is force. I should know. I beat up a lot of guys like him."

Later Paul was cutting the grass when George wandered over.

"Howdy neighbor. You thought about my offer to join my plan?" George asked.

"You know George, I'd much prefer to see you two talk this over. Sure Kim's got his demerits but violence isn't the answer to every thing."

"I understand Paul. By the way you know that soft wood tree of yours that's hanging over my lawn. My lawyer tells me I can cut it down anytime I like. It's infringing on my right to enjoy my property. And if your dog comes on my grass again I'm going to have you charged. Nothing personal. Just protecting my interests. Have a good day."

Paul was in a dilemma. Go along with George and push Kim over the edge. Do nothing and George was going to get even. His wife told him they were both big kids who'd never grown up. It was his job to be responsible and say no to their stupid dispute. Paul agreed, but later told George he'd help if they kept it a secret.

So on nights when his wife was out, Paul helped George work on his catapult. In return George promised not to do anything nasty to Paul. He told Paul that when the time came to use the weapon Paul would be at the table and have a say. Paul thought he'd covered all his bases.

One day Paul heard his neighbors yelling at each other. He went out to investigate. Both men had rocks in their catapults and were ready to launch.

"Can't we talk?" Paul implored his two neighbors.

"We've had enough talking," George shouted.

"You Paper Bully!" Kim yelled back. "You don't scare me."

Both men launched their rocks. They flew up into the air and arched across the fences. Paul watched them glint in the afternoon sun. Both rocks hit Paul's house and ripped two gapping holes in the roof.

"Oh, Oh," said Kim.

"All his fault," said George.

"What happened to consulting me?" asked Paul.

"Collateral damage," said George. "Couldn't be helped."

When his wife found out that Paul had secretly helped George, she threw him out of the house. She was young and attractive and soon a number of contractors offered to fix her roof and take her out for dinner. One of them eventually moved in and took Paul's place.