$1000 bounty

31 July came and went and much as expected, Bruce had not put in the effort to fix the amp that I would have rewarded with the $1,000.

So another 90 days after I made the offer, it was time for an email.

Had Bruce really done nothing at all since 17 March? Six days later came a rather surprising reply - see part 55.

Obviously whatever Bruce needed to devote all his time to was more lucrative even than a $1,000 bounty on fixing my amp.

So back came an effectively worthless assurance that he would do so at no cost - but when? No time soon it transpired - see part 54.

After some initial searching, it became obvious that, being separated by thousands of miles, the legal option could be costly and time-consuming itself.

I then had a brainwave - Bruce has no motivation to fix my amp. Would a direct financial incentive tip the balance? Worth a try...

The email response was almost immediate and worthy of any English cricketer's "straight bat" defensive stroke - see part 53.