#quick service pos system

[restaurant-management-ecosystem]

https://writeupcafe.com/personalized-perks-profitable-results-ai-in-restaurant-loyalty-programs-for-sales-growth/

[lucidpayments]

What You Need to Know to Pick the Right Point-of-Sale System

Like it or not, if you want to be able to scale your business, you’re going to need a point-of-sale system.

You may not think you need one right now, and depending on the nature of your business, you may be right about that.

But at some point, you’re probably going to want to expand your business, and without a point-of-sale system in place, that could be practically impossible.

Without a point-of-sale system, transactions will have to be manually processed, and inventory will have to be manually updated, both of which can be incredibly time-consuming.

As a result, transactions and inventory management will be more prone to human error, and you may be limited to only accepting cash, meaning you might have to turn away a lot of customers.

At the same time, you’re not going to have access to all the benefits and features of a point-of-sale system, like being able to offer a better experience for customers, the ability to accept various forms of payment, sales reporting and analysis capabilities, and better record-keeping, which can help to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Unfortunately, similar to pretty much everything else in this industry, picking a point-of-sale system can be incredibly convoluted, and most payment processors aren’t trying to make it any easier.

With that in mind, and in keeping with our commitment to provide absolute clarity for our customers, we figured we should publish an article explaining how to pick a point-of-sale system.

So, if you’re wondering how to choose a point-of-sale system, and you need some advice, then we hope you take the time to keep reading.

Because in this article, we’re going to explain what a point-of-sale system is, what options are available when choosing one of these systems, and what you need to know to choose the system that’s right for your business.

What Is a Point-of-Sale System?

For those of you who aren’t quite sure, a point-of-sale (POS) system is a combination of hardware and software used by businesses to complete sales transactions with customers. A typical system includes the following elements:

Hardware

These systems are made up of many different hardware components, including:

Computer or Tablet: This serves as the central processing unit and runs the POS software.

Barcode Scanner: Used to scan product barcodes.

Cash Register or Cash Drawer: For storing cash, checks, and other forms of payment.

Receipt Printer: To provide customers with a printed receipt.

Card Reader or Terminal: Used for processing credit and debit card payments.

Customer Display: Shows customers the transaction details and prices.

Touch Screen Monitor: Allows staff to input items and complete transactions with a touch screen interface.

Peripheral Devices: A POS system can also include devices such as receipt printers, kitchen printers (for restaurants), and scales (for businesses selling products by weight).

Software

These systems run on software that may include the following features:

User Interface: The software interface where the cashier or staff enters items, processes payments, and generates receipts.

Inventory Management: Helps businesses track stock levels, reorder products, and manage product information.

Sales Reporting and Analytics: Generates sales reports, tracks trends, and provides insights into business performance.

Payment Processing: Integrates with payment gateways to process various methods of payment.

Customer Database: Stores customer information and may be used for loyalty programs and marketing.

Employee Management: Tracks employees’ hours, permissions, and performance.

Barcode Scanning: This allows you to scan product barcodes for things such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and checkout.

What Options Are Available When Choosing a Point-of-Sale System?

The choice of a POS system should be based on careful consideration of the specific requirements and scale of your business, as well as your budget and long-term growth plans.

That being said, it’s important to research and evaluate all your options, so you can determine which one best fits the needs of your business.

And now that you know what’s included in a typical point-of-sale system, let’s explore the options that are available. These options can be categorized into three main types:

Traditional On-Premises POS Systems

These are traditional, locally installed systems that run on dedicated hardware, which is located within the premises of a business.

The advantages of this option include a high level of control and customization, the ability to operate offline in case of internet outages, and the fact that it’s a one-time software purchase.

However, these kinds of systems often require a significant upfront investment, tend to require regular software updates, may have limited scalability, and maintenance can be costly.

Cloud-Based POS Systems

These are web-based, Software as a Service (SaaS) systems, which are hosted in the cloud and accessed via the internet.

These systems offer several benefits, including lower upfront costs, automatic software updates, better scalability, accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, and support for mobile devices, along with integrated data backup and security.

But despite all these advantages, these systems offer limited control over the software, pose potential data security concerns, will not work without being connected to the internet, and while they do require less of an initial investment, you’re going to have to pay ongoing subscription fees, so keep that in mind.

Mobile POS Systems

These systems run on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, often with peripheral hardware like card readers and receipt printers.

This kind of system offers the benefits of portability and greater flexibility, and depending on the nature of the business, the mobility it offers may be absolutely essential.

However, this type of system tends to have less functionality compared to full-scale systems, may not be suitable for larger businesses, and is also dependent on battery life and device durability.

Within these categories, you can also choose from various feature sets and functionalities to meet the specific needs of your business, including:

Retail-Specific POS: These systems are tailored for retail businesses and typically include features such as inventory management, barcode scanning, and customer loyalty programs.

Restaurant-Specific POS: Designed for food-service establishments, these systems often include table management, menu customization, and kitchen display integration.

E-commerce Integration: Some systems integrate with online sales channels, allowing businesses to manage in-store and online sales from a single platform.

Omnichannel Solutions: These systems enable businesses to sell across multiple channels, including brick-and-mortar stores, online stores, and marketplaces, with integrated inventory and sales data.

Mobile Payments: Many modern POS systems support mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, as well as contactless payments.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Some systems offer CRM features to track customer data, preferences, and purchase history for targeted marketing and loyalty programs.

Reporting and Analytics: You can also choose systems that provide robust reporting and analytics tools for tracking sales, inventory, and other key metrics.

How to Choose a Point-of-Sale System

Now that we’ve explored what a point-of-sale system is, along with its components, potential features, and the various options that are available when it comes to these systems, you’ve got a much better idea of what you’re going to need for your business.

But, as we already mentioned, the payment processing industry is notoriously convoluted, and as a result, just understanding these concepts may not be enough for you to make the right choice.

With that in mind, aside from everything we’ve already discussed, we also want to offer some advice on how to choose a point-of-sale system, so you can avoid potential pitfalls and make the best decision for your business. Here’s what you need to consider when picking a POS system:

Budget

Before you even start weighing your options, make sure to develop a clear budget and compare the total cost of ownership for different systems to what you’re actually able to afford.

And remember that you need to factor in not only the initial setup costs, but also things like monthly subscription fees (if applicable), hardware expenses, and ongoing maintenance.

Business Type and Industry

The type of business and industry you’re in can significantly influence the type of system you need, and the kind of features the system will require.

So, regardless of the industry you’re operating in, make sure that the point-of-sale system you choose offers everything you need, and if possible, try not to settle for something that doesn’t quite cut it.

Otherwise, at some point, you’ll probably end up having to scrap the system you have and replace it with something more suitable, and that can cost you a lot of money.

Features and Functionality

Before choosing a point-of-sale system, make sure to identify the essential features your business requires.

But keep in mind that some systems only offer a specific set of features, and they can’t be modified, so once you’ve installed them, you’re pretty much stuck with what you’ve got unless you want to purchase an entirely new system.

And considering that these systems can cost several thousand dollars to install, this is something you’ve got to get right the first time.

Scalability and Versatility

When making your decision, you’ve got to think long and hard about the future of your business, particularly as it relates to how you plan on diversifying or expanding.

Ask yourself: Can this system grow with my business? And does it offer all the features that I need now and the ones I might need in the future?

Some systems will be incredibly convenient for one specific type of service offering, but if you’re looking to diversify or expand your business, they may end up being completely incompatible.

Integration

Some systems will be able to integrate with other software and tools your business uses, such as accounting software, e-commerce platforms, or payment gateways, but others will not.

So, if you already have specific tools or software in place that you know you can’t part with, make sure that the system you’re choosing is going to be compatible.

Mobility

Depending on your business, you may want a mobile POS system that allows you to process transactions on smartphones or tablets.

For some businesses, this won’t even be applicable, but for those that require on-the-go sales, such as pop-up shops or food trucks, this is an invaluable feature.

Payment Options

No matter what kind of business you own, or what industry you’re in, make sure that your system can accept all major forms of payment, including debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets, contactless payments, and cash.

Otherwise, you may end up having to turn potential customers away, and that’s never a good thing.

Hardware Compatibility

If you already have hardware in place, and you don’t want to have to replace everything, make sure that any system you’re considering is compatible with your existing hardware, such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.

If not, then you may end up having to replace everything, and that can be very expensive.

Support and Training

Consider the level of customer support and training offered by any POS provider you’re thinking about choosing.

Reliable support can be critical for addressing any issues and if anything does go wrong, you’re going to want to be with a company that will be able to fix the problem fast.

Customization

Make sure to determine if a potential system allows for customization to meet your unique needs.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need a system to be customized. But if a system is too rigid, and can’t be modified, then it may not be a viable option.

Reporting and Analytics

Robust reporting and analytics tools are valuable for tracking sales trends, monitoring inventory levels, and making informed business decisions.

These features are incredibly insightful and can save you a lot of time, so if possible, make sure your system includes this functionality.

Data Backup and Recovery

You should also inquire about a potential system’s data backup and recovery capabilities.

Losing important data can be an absolute nightmare, so for any system you’re considering, make sure that your sales data and business records will be easily recoverable in the case of a system failure.

Consider a Smaller Local Provider

There are many companies out there that can provide point-of-sale systems, but if you want to save money, choosing a smaller local provider is probably your best option.

Banks and other large corporations offer these services, as well, but they’re pretty much all going to charge you more than a smaller local provider would.

These companies have massive overheads and a never-ending stream of customers, so they have to charge more, and there’s really no incentive for them to give you a good deal anyway.

At the same time, a lot of them also have systems that are highly specialized, meaning they’re quite rigid and don’t offer a lot of options for customization.

But if you go with a smaller local provider, not only is it going to be cheaper, but they’re also more likely to offer an array of options that can accommodate all aspects of your business.

Are you still struggling to pick the right point-of-sale system for your business? We offer a full range of options, competitive pricing, and only the best quality equipment. Give us a call today to find out how we can help.

[eatos-blog]

https://justpaste.it/restaurant-analytics-software-ea

[eatossolutions]

Quick Service Restaurant POS System: Enhance Speed and Efficiency 

Explore the benefits of a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) POS system designed to streamline operations. Learn how features like fast order processing, inventory management, and customer insights can improve service speed, accuracy, and overall customer satisfaction in your quick service establishment. Discover the best QSR POS solutions today!

https://www.eatos.com/quick-service

[yiffos-official]

I am willing to give you or anyone else on tumblr the skills and advice the helped me get my dream job

the idea of working for TEK a few months ago would just be a fantasy

my background in education is English. I learned what I know now on my own and only by random chance.

This is why I am so critical of the linux commumity on tumblr.

They're tagging themselves as -official when they can't provide casual end user support.

They're entirely too horny to be in this sphere. Computers and linux should not be about how much you want to fuck/be fucked by X

it will deter end users

This is very cool that you will help other tumblr users with this stuff; i may actually take you up on this at some point :3

(my tone here is /g, /pos, /nm, /lh)

I do, however, kind of disagree with the other points. I think that for any other social media it's correct, twt or fb does not have the culture to make these sorts of parody accounts viable or not-counter-productive to increasing the linux market share. But I don't think that tumblr is the same.

I think that tumblr does. I think the tumblr community has always been this somewhat ephemeral yet perpetual inside joke culture where almost every user is in-the-know, and new users to the joke are able generally able to catch on quickly to it due to their general understanding of they way tumblr communities operate.

IMO, it's a somewhat quick pipeline of:

\> find first "x-official" blog -> assume it's real -> see them horny posting about xenia -> infer that RH corporate would probably not approve of such a blog

I can appreciate that it might be intimidating to seek out help as a new linux user, and especially a new linux & tumblr user, but looking through these blogs, you do see them helping out people ^^. heck, my last post was helping someone getting wayland working on an nvidia system.

The main goal of these blogs is not to be a legitimate CS service to general end-users. they aren't affiliated with the software their blog is named after, so in many cases they *cant*. The goal is instead to foster a community around linux, creating a general network of blogs of the various FOSS projects that they enjoy.

I think that final sentiment, of these blogs detering end users, is most likely counter to their actual effect on end users who are considering switching to linux.

We all know a lot of tumblr is 20 or 30 something year olds who have just stuck around since ~2012ish, and new users to tumblr join with pre-existing knowledge of the culture and platform. Almost anyone coming across these blogs are going to be people who can see the "in" joke, and acclimate. I do highly doubt that a random facebook mom who's son convinced her to install mint on her old laptop would find tumblr, find a -official blog, scroll through said blog, and be detered from using mint.

The other side of this is that any tumblr users who come across these blogs, be it with an inkling of desire to switch to linux or not, will see a vibrant and active community that fits very well into the tumblr community. They remember, or have heard of, the amtrac & OSHA blogs, and are therefore probably aware that this is a pre-existing meme on here.

In all likelyhood, this will probably further incentivize them to make the switch, as they would be more attracted to a community of their peers over a community of redditors telling them to read the arch wiki repeatedly

I can, on the other hand, definitely see that for people who have difficulties with parsing tone, and especially sarcasm, would have trouble with this. TBH, I have these difficulties (hence when I was speaking to you yesterday I used the /unjerk indicator, as I couldn't tell what the tone of the conversation was), and so it took me a little while of being in this weird "I'm 99% sure these *aren't* official, but what if?". I have been there forI think that maybe being more transparent with the fact that the blogs are parodies is probably important. I'm guilty of this, and after i post this, i'll add it to my bio.

[beardedmrbean]

What’s an acceptable tip for a driver who delivers a $20 pizza?

A TikTok video purporting to show a DoorDash delivery driver in Texas swearing at a customer over the $5 tip she gave him has gone viral, sparking fresh online debate over tipping culture in the U.S.

“I just want to say it’s a nice house for a $5 tip,” the driver can be heard saying as he walks away from a home in the door camera video posted to TikTok earlier this week by a user under the name Lacey Purciful.

“You’re welcome!” the resident says, appearing surprised by the remark. “F--- you,” the driver responds before walking away.

“So how much should I be tipping for a $20 pie?” Purciful, who, in a separate post said she herself has worked in the service industry for over 10 years and tips “very well,” wrote in a caption.

Purciful, who did not immediately respond to an overnight request for comment from NBC News, said the driver was fired by DoorDash following the incident.

A DoorDash spokesperson confirmed that the worker had been removed from their platform. They said the company had also reached out to the customer regarding the incident.

“Respectfully asking for a tip is acceptable but abusing or harassing someone is never acceptable,” the spokesperson said.

“Our rules exist to help ensure everyone who uses our platform — Dashers, customers, merchants — have a safe and enjoyable experience,” they said. “We expect everyone to treat others with respect and we will enforce our rules fairly and consistently.”

The video added fuel to a growing debate in the U.S. over tipping culture, with some complaining current trends may have reached a tipping point.

“Tipping is out of control,” one social media user said, commenting on the video. They said they felt $5 for a $20 order was “more than” enough.”

“I doordash and most (not all) pizza delivery orders don’t tip. That was a Rockstar tip,” another user said.

Not everyone agreed, however, with some branding Purciful a “Karen” for contacting DoorDash over the incident.

One poster said they felt the driver should not have lost their job over the exchange, writing: “What he said was not right, but he didn’t have to lose job over it. Everyone is trying to make a living.”

Another commenter noted that the driver may have been concerned about mileage, writing: “Maybe $5 wasn’t enough.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought consumer willingness to give tips, particularly during times of hardship, into fresh focus, with many ponying up to pay higher gratuities during the crisis, according to research.

Figures provided earlier this year to NBC News by payment processor Square showed the frequency of gratuities at full-service restaurants grew 17% in the fourth quarter last year from the same period in 2021. Meanwhile, tip frequency at quick-service restaurants, such as coffee shops and fast-food chains, rose 16%, according to the company’s data.

The apparent rise in tipping came despite a period of record inflation, which has eaten away at many consumers’ discretionary income.

While the pandemic appeared to spur widespread changes in tipping culture, the growing use of point-of-service, or POS systems, to process payments also appear to have made it easier than ever for customers to provide — and for businesses to ask for — tips.

In a survey of restaurant executives by industry group Hospitality Technology, 71% of respondents said using data to “understand guest preferences and behavior” was their primary reason for facilitating POS system upgrades, while for 57% enabling new payment options was the priority.

A recent Lending Tree survey found that 60% of Americans felt they were tipping more, NBC Boston reported. Around 24% said they felt pressured to tip when the option was presented, while 41% said they had changed their buying habits due to gratuity expectations and 60% felt tipping expectations had gotten out of hand. _________________

Door dash fired him, your opinion on tips aside that's not how you act to customers unless they are directly rude to you.

[bitbybitwrites]

This Ficlet Friday sounds like so much fun!

How about 1. 'I leave you alone for five minutes...' for Klaine?

Here ya go! Thanks for the prompt, @annepi-blog!

You can read it either on A03, or below the pretty picture! 😊

To play, click here

The clangs and shrieks of the alarm system at Christie's Auction House filled the corridors, echoing through the mostly empty building.  They were just as loud as the beating of Kurt and Blaine's hearts as they raced down corridor after corridor while they attempted to escape.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Kurt growled through his teeth as he ran, slipping slightly on the polished marble floor as he turned another corner.  “I leave you alone for five minutes . . . FIVE MINUTES, Blaine.  What on earth did you do?”

Blaine at least had the common decency to look a little sheepish.   "I'm sorry, Kurt.  It's just. . .”

"Just what?  Just what, Blaine?"  Kurt shouted as they zipped into a nearby storage closet where they had stashed some vital equipment a few days prior.  We had ONE goal, well, two goals, for this job.  That was it.  Remember?  It was supposed to be quick and easy—just in and out."

The two jewel thieves quickly shrugged out of their black overalls, flipping them around so that the bright blue interior of the garments now showed on the outside.  Basically, they were returning to the ones of the custodial service staff that they had worn once they reported in for work earlier that evening.

The day billionaire Santana Lopez approached them to "procure" one particular Bulgari emerald and diamond flower brooch and its matching emerald ring for her, Kurt knew then and there he should have turned the job down.  Apparently, they were intended as engagement presents for her lover, Brittany Pierce.  Ms. Lopez saw the young heiress had fallen in love with the pieces when they had toured the auction house the week prior.  Ms. Lopez wanted to keep her girlfriend happy, so Kurt and Blaine's company was contacted, and their services were hired for the evening.

Kurt always swore that Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection was sacred and sacrosanct—totally out of reach as a career goal.  In his heart of hearts, he knew it wasn't a job they should have taken, but they needed the money, so Kurt folded.  He thought he could at least get close enough to salivate and gaze upon the beauty of that collection, even though they only had the job of stealing the brooch and ring combination out of it for Ms. Lopez.

Blaine shoved his curls back into the baseball cap he had worn when reporting to work that evening.  "I didn't mean to trip the alarm, Kurt.  It was an accident.  I swear."

The puppy dog eyes. 

Oh god, Blaine turned on the puppy dog eyes because he knew Kurt couldn’t stay mad at him when he did that.

Kurt jammed his cap on his head, pulling it low over his eyes as he sighed in defeat.  “I know you didn’t mean to, sweetheart.  And I’m sorry I yelled.  It’s just . . . We needed this to go off without any problems."

Blaine nodded as he bent over to grab one of the bottles of "cleaning chemicals" from one corner of the closet and began spreading it around the tiny space, taking care not to spill any on him or Kurt.  "I know, I know, Kurt.  I'm really am sorry.”

A hiss and a crackle were heard in both of their ears as their communication pieces popped to life:

“As much as I love listening to my two favorite gays fight AND make up in the span of five minutes, can we all get a move on?”

Kurt sighed again.  “Yes, Artie,  we’re on it.  What's happening out there?"

"And what's the ETA of the cops?" Blaine said as he fumbled around in his pockets for his lighter.

“Puck's trying to stall by causing a scene because the po-po are ALREADY THERE . . . so can we all get a move on and set this bitch aflame?”

“Can we not use the terms, 'po-po' and ‘set this bitch aflame'?   I think you've been watching too many movies, Artie," Kurt pleaded as Blaine snorted.  He did just that,  grabbing a mop and pushing Kurt out the door as he tossed the lighter back into the room, the flame igniting the chemical-soaked contents within.

They followed Artie's directions down individual hallways empty of custodial staff until they found a staircase.  They followed it down to the lobby, blending in with the other night staff taking the same route out of the building.

As they approached the exit, the men could see a handful of others waiting to leave,  the cops eying everyone warily.  The head security guard was swearing up a storm at the people gathered.

“What the hell happened?” he yelled.  “And will someone turn off that goddamned alarm?!”

As the ear-splitting cacophony ceased, the workers shook their heads, staring at one another, many unsure of how to explain the  mess to their superior.

“Um . . . I think it was me, sir?" Blaine meekly waved his hand.

“Goddamn it, Davis.”

“It was an accident, Mr. Puckerman." Kurt chimed in, his hands still clutching a dirty rag and spray bottle.  We were just cleaning the 4th-floor gallery and . . .”

“I kind of nudged one of the paintings with my mop," Blaine held up the offensive article gingerly, a pained expression on his face.  "And it fell of the wall."

"We fixed it right away, though.  It's all straight and everything now." Kurt tried to reassure the head of security.  "Promise."

"I don't give a rat's ass about your promises, Turner," Puckerman glared darkly at Kurt.  “This is the third strike for you two.  Turn in your badges.  You’re fired.”

“Aww, but sir, it really was an accident . .” Blaine pleaded.

“Yeah, you can’t just get rid of us for that," Kurt piped up with a frown.  Some of the surrounding custodial staff began to agree, a growing sound of discontent rising among them all.

"Oh well, you see, I can, and just did," Puckerman shouted, holding his hand out for their ID badges.  Both men unclipped them from their jumpsuits and handed them over as ordered.  "Go and clean out your lockers, “ Puckerman barked at the two, who flinched and stepped away quickly.

Before Kurt and Blaine could say any more in their defense, yet another alarm began to sound, and a red light began to flash.  The assembled crowd began to rush to the front door despite the police presence in front of them.

“Fuck!” Puckerman shouted.  “That’s the fire alarm.  Everybody out!”

The chaos that ensued as policemen hustled people out as quickly as possible gave Blaine and Kurt the out they were looking for.  They easily slipped away and into the night.

Once they felt they were far enough away, Kurt and Blaine removed their jumpsuits, discarding them in a dumpster they had allocated for the occasion.  They knew that the next day's early garbage pick up would bring it straight to an incinerator, their tracks quite easily covered once the contents all went up in smoke.

A few subway stops later, they finally were back home in Brooklyn.  Kurt groaned as he collapsed onto the couch.  He reached into his shirt, pulled a padded drawstring pouch hanging around his neck, and dropped it on the coffee table beside him.  Kurt quickly pulled a pillow over his head as Blaine perched on the couch beside him.

"God, that was exhausting.  We're back home, Artie.  Go ahead and wire Noah the cash for the loud and dramatic scene at the exit.  Oh, and drop Ms. Lopez a line.  See where she wants to do the exchange, but remind her that nothing changes hands until we see the rest of our payment in our account."

"You got it, boss," their tech guru chimed in before signing off for the night.

Kurt reached in, removed his earpiece, and tossed it toward the table.  He heard a soft clatter, confirming that it hit its mark instead of the floor.

"What a night," Kurt sighed, his voice still muffled from the pillow.  "I think I am ready for a shower, cheesecake, and bed."

"Well, before that . .”

Kurt felt the weight of the couch shift as Blaine stood up and got off the couch, only to move somewhere nearby, judging by the soft, close rustle of his clothing.  When Kurt peeked out from under the decorative pillow to see Blaine, down on one knee before him, a small silk bundle in his hands.

“B . . . Blaine?"  Kurt said, eying the small package warily as he sat up.  The cushion slid from his hands, softly landing on the floor at his boyfriend's feet.  His heart began to thump loudly in his chest. 

This couldn’t be.

Could it?

Blaine took a deep breath, a soft smile gracing his features.  “Kurt.  I . . .  fuck, I know this isn't conventional and all . . because of what we do.  But ever since I met you, you've been this brilliant, beautiful force of nature that's just barrelled into my life and swept me off my feet.  I love you so so much.  I . . would love to have you by my side for the rest of my days.  Will you marry me?”

Blaine gently unwrapped the small item in the palm of his hand.  As the silk fell away, Kurt could spy a necklace of pale inscribed circles linked to an impressive gold chain.

“Blaine . . . is that what I think it is?”

Blaine nodded.  “The Edith Head Ivory Disc Necklace . . . " he confirmed.  “From the auction house.  I . . . I know it's your favorite piece from Elizabeth Taylor's collection.  And there's no way we could have afforded to bid for it in the auction itself.  Everything there will go for millions of dollars we don't have.  But this . .”

Kurt trembled as he reached out a hand, his fingertips reverently stroking the ivory discs rimmed with gold.  “Blaine . . you stole this?  For me?”

“Sweetheart, I’d steal the moon and the stars for you if you wanted them.”

“Blaine . . “

After he let the scrap of silk slip to the floor, Blaine gently unclasped the necklace, holding it out to his boyfriend.

“Kurt, I know it isn’t an engagement ring, but, well, you haven't actually answered my question. . .”

"Oh god," Kurt said, tears streaming down his cheeks.  Yes, yes, you incredible man.  I'll marry you!"

Blaine grinned from ear to ear as he leaned forward and gently fastened the necklace around Kurt's neck.  Capturing Kurt's face in his hands, Blaine softly kissed his new fiancee joyously.

“Blaine  . . .”

“Yes, Kurt?”

“Is this the reason why the alarms went off tonight?”

Blaine pulled away, blushing. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.  “Um, yeah, " Another apologetic expression crossed Blaine's face.  "I kind of miscalculated my angles, and then my hand slipped and. . . God, such an rookie mistake . .I promise not to do it again."

Kurt pulled Blaine up and back onto the couch in a sitting position.  He swung one leg and easily positioned himself in his fiancée's lap, straddling Blaine.  Slowly, Kurt undid a few buttons on his shirt, pushing the clothing back so the gold necklace lay flat against his chest.  Kurt trailed his fingers lightly against his skin, tracing the shining collar with his fingertips before unbuttoning the rest of his shirt.  Blaine watched, his eyes darkening and his hands gripping Kurt's waist tightly.

"Oh, sweetheart," Kurt purred as the shirt fell to the floor behind him. I'll hold you to that."  He leaned forward to nip at Blaine's neck, grinding his hips in a downward motion. Blaine groaned in response as he clutched Kurt closer. His breath hitched as Kurt whispered in his ear, "You're lucky I love you a lot more than I do pretty, shiny things."

*********

END NOTE:

If you caught it, the Edith Head Ivory Disc Necklace was a deliberate choice, if we all remember one of the deleted scenes from the show :)

[leon-swedfinqs]

A Witch’s Letter

Anathema sends out a letter to the duo requesting help only one of them can truly provide.

Aziraphale gets some insight into other sides of his partner he was yet to be exposed to.

Crowley comes up with a compromise.

Read below the cut

Hell or any infernal torture dimension equivalent truly knew no fury like a dedicated Anathema Device. And now here she was, many strange paper trails and shoddy eye witness account later, clutching a parchment and watching as the mail carriage tumbled down the gravel road towards her. Upon seeing her silhouette against the shrubbery, the driver pulled back on the reigns of the feathered yet wingless bird lugging the trolley until it came to a stop before her.

“Madame” he tipped his hat to her before gesturing to her letter, “what’s this? Letter to a boy?”

“I’m not quite sure actually,” Anathema mumbled, recounting the multiple pronouns used to describe who she suspected to be the same person. Regardless, she held out the letter.

“Aw, young love. Reminds me of me and my Maud. I’ll make sure it gets to him in a few days, ma’am” he nodded as he took it from her.

“Actually,” she said as he other hand dug into her dress pocket and retrieved a small burlap pouch, “This needs to be delivered now. As soon as possible. Priority.”

She held out the sack, but the postman made no effort to take it.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but I can’t fast track any deliveries over others, even for a bribe. It would go against my oath, see,” he said. Anathema’s grip on the pouch tightened. The hard gold coins felt absolutely worthless in that moment.

Even though she’d normally prided herself on her cool temper, the postman seemed to have noticed a change in her expression. “Oh, I know the rate of snail mail can be frustrating, ma’am. At least we aren’t using giant snails anymore, aye? My old stead, Cepha, she did her time as a dedicated postal worker—lives at home in a happy retirement now. If you’re upset your note won’t get to your love before your anniversary or somethin, I’ll be sure to tell him it was my fault for the delay, alright?”

“It’s not for a partner,” Anathema mumbled, “It’s…it’s for a…a doctor, of sorts. The boy I tutor, he’s very ill. No one can help, this doctor may be my last hope,” her chin fell to her chest, “please, I can double my offer, I just need to get them here as soon as possible. I can get you more money, or I could-“

“Put the coins away, lass,” he said before she heard the trolley creek and two feet hit the ground. Slowly she looked up to find the postman looking at her letter in his hands. The corners of his mouth upturned in a smile, “I’ll do it. I’ll deliver this one, fast as you’ve ever seen. You have my word. In return I need no money, but I will need someone to finish my route for the day. Tomorrow another worker can cover, but today I’m out of luck. Would you-“

“YES!” Anathema gasped before quickly clearing her throat and regaining her composure, “oh, yes yes of course I will. Anything.”

The postman nodded before smiling, “we’ve got a deal then. Pick up and delivery list is in the front compartment, you’ll need to use your own stead to cart around the wares. And once you’re finished, just drop my cart off at the office on 3rd and Stenton in town.” Anathema nodded furiously at each instruction before the postman approached the large creature and pulled himself up onto the saddle. He undid the towing attachment and gave the creature a quick kick to the side. All at once, a bright yellow pair of wings sprouted from either side of its body.

“Give Adam my regards!” The postman called before with another kick, he took off into the sky.

~~~

Aziraphale was stubborn.

When he told crowley he was going to shill out money for a PO Box, crowley summoned the fattest eye roll he could muster. The type of people who used their services typically didn’t seek out specific blokes, just whoever was willing to do their dirty work. Not to mention they wouldn’t want to use the postal system.

Unsurprisingly, they received very few letters. They did occasionally get messages from previous clients or people they’d met on their journeys, that was welcomed. They also received a fair bit of junk mail—a concept Aziraphale didn’t initially understand and almost led him to sending their stash of gold to a ‘prince in need on a small loan.’

Even after Crowley pointed out that having a traceable place where their enemies could link them to could be dangerous, Aziraphale insisted, not out of disagreement but purely out of stubbornness. And now, finally was the day it was all paying off.

With his nose practically sniffing the sun, he placed the letter in front of crowley with a satisfied “hmph!”. Crowley only tilted his glasses down his nose and glances between the parchment and the satisfied cleric.

“What’s got you so pleased with yourself?” Crowley asked as he went back to whatever he was going, probably fiddling with a dagger.

“Take a look at this. You said it was silly, but ohhh it seems like our PO Box was truly useful. Especially because this lass sounds like she’s willing to spend a pretty penny” Aziraphale hummed. Crowley, making a great show of doing so, finally picked up the letter and read over the lines. However, the more he read, the less exasperated he seemed. His pupils moved faster across the page, until finally stopping on the final line.

To whom it may concern,

You do not know me, and I do not know you, but I am requesting your aid.

My name is Anathema Device, if you’ve heard of me it may be due to my family’s prophecies and our affiliation with the high royals. Rest assured, I do not collude with those people. I am an educator, a teacher of sorts. I’ve studied all forms of magic, specifically into ancient, lost, or hidden art forms. Due to my knowledge and vast array of skills, I have recently been hired to tutor this wonderful young boy.

I have heard of you, in passing. Of your wits and skills and ability to fight. Of your magic and intelligence. Tales lost to the gust of winds in the forest.

I have foreseen this day coming. But I did not expect it so soon, and as such I am unprepared. I cannot help him. No one can truly help him.

If I’m right, if what I’ve seen in my future is right, then you’re the only one who can. I understand your hesitance. I am willing to offer anything as compensation, for your help, with the promise of my quiet in return. I beg of you, please.

The zodiacs, the stars, are calling to him, and I cannot help him answer.

Aziraphale looked at him expectantly, waiting for some kind of admission of wrong. However, Crowley’s face looked pale and wordless he stood with the paper, walked over to a trash can, and slipped it in.

“Wh- oh come on now Crowley! Just because you don’t want to admit I proved you wrong that doesn’t mean you can just ignore the young woman!” Aziraphale huffed as he walked over to the can and went to retrieve it. However, Crowley held out a hand to stop him.

“It’s…it’s not that,” he mumbled, “that woman. I just, I don’t want any affiliation with her,” Crowley mumbled, “You were right, whatever, just forget it ever happened.”

“What’s gotten into you?” Aziraphale frowned, though his voice was laced with concern. Crowley was looking off and it didn’t seem like he was planning on meeting any gazes any time soon. When he didn’t answer, Aziraphale pursued his lip before suddenly turning away, walking over to his bag and rummaging before retrieving a scroll. He brought it back over to the rogue.

“Remember when you told me about the stars?” Aziraphale asked. Crowley didn’t move, but usually the lack of a “no” meant “yes” when he was in moods like this. Aziraphale suddenly pulled open the scroll, showing a star map.

“Ever since then, I kept my eye out for any literature about stars I thought you’d like. And I found out all about these beings called ‘Zodiacs!’ They’re affiliated with the stars, I think you’d really enjoy them!” Aziraphale tucked part of the map between his fingers to keep it open while the others gestured to a picture of scales overlayed over one of the constellations, “The woman mentioned them in her letter. I think you’d have a really great time on this mission if you gave it a chance, eh?”

Crowley wordlessly looked over at the star map, his eyes scanning over the constellations and symbols that decorated the page. Aziraphale frowned as he watched Crowley study the paper with sadness in his eyes.

Carefully, Crowley pulled the map from Aziraphale’s grasp and held it up as he leaned against the wall. He rolled the scroll and tucked one of the edges underneath the crook of his arm in order to look more intently at a different section of signs. The two stood in complete silence, the air thick with tension and confusion. Aziraphale was afraid to speak, afraid to scare Crowley off.

“Angel, I…” Crowley sighed as he rolled up the scroll and held it tightly in his hands, the paper squishing under his grip. He still wasn’t making eye contact. “…who do you think she wrote the letter to?”

“Why us, of course,” Aziraphale said firmly. “She so neatly addressed it to our business. Her penmanship is quite lovely.”

“Quite…” Crowley sighed. “Look, Angel, it’s-ngk-fuck…”

He turned, finally making eye contact. “It’s to me. The letter was for me.”

Aziraphale furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he replayed the words of the letter in his head.

“What do you mean? The young woman pointedly notes both of our skills in her request.”

“And yet she never says either of our names,” Crowley reminded him. He turned his head to the side, momentarily breaking eye contact. “Frankly I don’t blame her, probably couldn’t pinpoint mine…” he muttered. The tiefling took a moment to take a deep breath and compose himself, before placing the scroll down on the table besides them and making firm eye contact with Aziraphale once more.

“You read about the Zodiacs, correct?” He interrogated.

“Wh-yes, but-“

“What about the magic they pass down? The blessing of stardust to mortals?”

Aziraphale owlishly blinked, staring up at Crowley in confusion. He had a million questions swimming around in his head — yes, while he would consider himself highly educated, Aziraphale is still blind to other forms of magic and the religions that surrounded these abilities. He’s been spending his years catching up on outside history and his own magic sector in order to properly assimilate. But one question couldn’t help but blurt itself out.

“Why, in Ecliel’s great realm, do you know about this?” he asked.

Crowley deflated slightly at the question, and for a moment his eyes appeared glazed and elsewhere. Aziraphale recognized that expression well and carefully dragged over one of the nearby stools before Crowley slumped onto it. He sat hunched forward, elbows on his knees and clasping his fingers.

There were no words that felt right, but Crowley forced words regardless. “For my 6th birthday, I asked my family for a star map. When I was 7, I asked for a sextant. And when I turned 8, they got me an astrolabe.” The tiefling smiled somberly as memories drifted in—many nights he would sneak out of his bedroom through the high up window with notebooks, astrological tools and his blanket. They’d wiggle themselves up onto the roof and settle on a perfectly comfy stop to observe, appreciate, and reach out to the stars. That was, until, one day the stars reached back to him.

“I was observing as I did every night. I would gaze and name every constellation and star system, identify which planets were in view, count all of the shooting stars and asteroids that would briefly pass by. Once I finished documenting what the sky looked like that night, I would lay on the roof and reach out towards the sky, my hands open as if I was waiting to catch something…”

Crowley sighed as he rubbed his right thumb against his left palm in a nervous gesture.

“I would concentrate on the constellation above me, Aries I believe it was that night. I would close my eyes and mentally sing out to it, almost like a prayer I guess,” he laughed. “I felt comfort in the gesture. Like my voice was a call and the stars would comfort me into the follow day. I always thought that those were their answers, that sense of protection I would feel. But, then…”

During their call, Crowley suddenly felt a comforting warmth building up in the palms, growing and pushing like a flower bud through the dirt. Breaking the ritual, they opened their eyes in curiosity, and were met with a bright glow sitting in their hands.

Crowley stared at the light in his hands and gasped. And the star seemed to gasp back.

The tiefling was incredibly careful with the star, though it was out of appreciation rather than fear. Curiously one of his fingers brushed over the surface, only for a smattering of starlight to flicker onto his thumb and scatter into the space around them. It almost looked like dust or flaky snow fluttering off, though once the first few particles dettached, others quickly followed. Crowley worried he may have hurt the star, though the nerves were dashed once the specks began to swirl upwards, moving to twist gently around his horns. When they reached the tips, the stardust shifted and curled to form another loop, similar to the rack of a ram.

The strangest thing? That stardust *tickled* almost. Well, not exactly tickling. Crowley could feel the small particles like warm, comforting pinpricks, but the feeling they transferred brought a light that made him want to giggle.

The stardust came back to settle in his hands, not as condensed as it had once been and still a bit drifting around dreamily or freckled on crowley’s skin like he had accidentally spilled the most beautiful paint in the world.

“A star’s blessing,” Crowley sighed. “A connection that forms deep within your soul, branching between the physical and celestial realm. It allows us to draw power from our rising and manifest it into magic.”

As he spoke, Crowley could feel the dormant warmth pulse beneath his skin, the fire now attached to his being, too stubborn to let go. Over the years he was able to subconsciously tune it out — constantly listening to it cry out would’ve driven him mad.

“I was granted the blessing…this kid, I bet he was too…”

Crowley sighed. He was afraid, honestly. He still had unsaid words sitting on his tongue, his body felt rigid in fear of what the cleric might say or how he would react. He felt vulnerable, exposed and stinging like an open wound. He said too much, he said too much.

Aziraphale said nothing at first, his eyes purely studying Crowley’s form. He’d never seen him like this frankly, and in his mind a lot of connections were being made to previous mysteries about his companion. Although the memory was lovely, it didn’t need to be said that something must’ve gone wrong—the fate this meeting with a star had led to only ended in trauma that crowley had tried to buried, all undone by a single woman’s letter.

Gently and silently, Aziraphale approached and reached out, cupping his hands around Crowley’s nervous interlocked fingers. He held his hands with the same care and reverence Crowley had held his star with. He could feel a slight tremor coming from the rogue’s hands, the fear and memories shimmering around him like dust that was brushed off a shelf.

“The kid is cursed…I…I can’t help him. No-nn-I-no, I won’t help him,” Crowley sputtered. “I’m sorry…”

Aziraphale blinked in surprise as he frowned. This was incredibly uncharacteristic for Crowley, especially since Aziraphale had picked up on his sweet spot for children. Although he would swear up and down he “hated the little brats,” Aziraphale caught crowley sneaking extra food or supplies to street kids, and even agreed to going on a mission for free a few months back when a little girl asked them to help find her dad. Although it may have seemed cruel, Aziraphale knew it wasn’t easy for Crowley.

“I don’t think you should help him,” Aziraphale started. Crowley’s gaze snapped up in surprise, obviously expecting the cleric to try and persuade him the other way. But Aziraphale held firm gaze as he squeezed crowley’s hands gently. “You’ve obviously been hurt by this in the past. I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to get involved, dear. You’re very important, Crowley”

A tear slid down the rogue’s cheek, though before it reached his chin, he suddenly stood up and moved his hands under aziraphale’s arms, instead wrapping around him and grasping him in a desperate embrace. His breath shuddered as he buried himself into Aziraphale, only able to mutter a small “thank you” into the clerics shirt.

Aziraphale remained and embraced him for a long time, every so often whispering another affirmation or grounding crowley with a squeeze. However, his eyes couldn’t help but drift to the nearby table with the discarded letter, words desperate and pleading.

Once Crowley sufficiently calmed down, Aziraphale finally pulled away.

“Dear boy, I’m glad you’re doing what’s best for you. I really do think it’s best that you stay here for this” Aziraphale smiled.

“Yeah…wait, what do you mean ‘this’?”

“Well…I believe I want to go on a solo mission to help this boy.”

Aziraphale held his ground as Crowley bristled and looked at him oddly.

“I might not understand zodiac magic, nor am I able to cast it. But it sounds like it’s a deep spiritual connection. My magic stems from my faith, it was granted to me by my god as a…blessing, I guess would be the right term. This young lady sounds more like an academic, learning element combinations in order to cast magic. While not the same, I believe I can still help.”

Aziraphale was beaming at the concept. Any opportunity to help the cleric would take, that Crowley understood. He has watched him try to cast magic more “traditionally”, like how one would learn at an academy to become a sorcerer, but he greatly fumbled and was barely able to make a spark. His magic seemed to flow with his confidence, emotions, and faith. It was difficult in the beginning to translate those feelings and power into tangible and legit spells.

“It doesn’t sound like a typical quest, Angel,” Crowley frowned. “It feels like more of a, errr…babysitting job. Long term. A sit in.”

“Oh? Think I’ll have to become his nanny, do you?” Aziraphale smiled. Crowley rolled his eyes.

“I just mean, this seems like an extended commitment. And I don’t think it’s safe for either of us to-“ to be around zodiacs, including a kid that could explode and become an ultra powerful maniac, “-stay in one place for too long, you know.”

“You have a point,” Aziraphale mumbled before snapping his fingers, “then I’ll host a sort of boot camp! Short term but packed to the brim with lessons!”

Crowley bit his lip. “Err…uh…I have a hunch that the kid is, like, around 10 years old.”

“And how does that change anything?” Aziraphale asked as he tilted his head.

“Weren’t you a bit restless when you were ten? The ‘I’d rather do anything else’ phase?”

“…no? I quite liked my lessons, I wanted to be risen,” he said bluntly.

Crowley blinked as he thought for a moment. The image of a younger Aziraphale, sans halos, chubbier cheeks, and more wild hair, dressed up in a sort of ornate uniform, sitting in a back room frantically trying to memorize passages of scripture before a sermon.

“Right,” Crowley sighed. “Well, normal ten year olds won’t follow a boot camp learning program that easily. They’re like…uh…what’s that thing that’s slippery and hard to catch…”

Crowley trailed off in thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Right! Regardless, it’s unsafe for one of us to leave for a long time. So I’ll just, er…we’ll go together. I pick up some jobs for money, you deal with the kid.”

Aziraphale softly smiled. Of course he couldn’t help but want to help the kid anyway. “Oh Crowley, are you sure?”

Crowley sniffed and curtly nodded. “Yes, correctamundo, 100%—oh I’m not saying that again,” he babbled. “Now shoo! Go write back to that witch woman, I’ll cook some dinner.”

Aziraphale bright smiled as Crowley quickly waved him off before slipping off into the kitchen. As the cleric turned and grabbed the letter to leave to his study, he heard Crowley blurt out in exasperation “Fish!”, making him chuckle. He hoped that dinner would take a while, he’s got a letter to write and some supplies to organize and pack. He has a feeling this was going to be a big one.

[strawberry-selfships]

Oh!!! Hello, are you— *riffles papers* uh—Oscar?

Wonderful!! I'm with the Multiverse Mail Service and we're contacting you regarding your... (er, Jim, quick, what's the term in this universe? Blorbo? Okay, wonderful, thanks Jim. Tell John at Communications that we should have that information included in the reference guide for this universe though; it’s relevant and important) —blorbos!

We’ve gotten a considerable amount of mail requests since we opened our service, and we have noticed that the vast majority of our requesters (99.98%) have you as their designated destination. Wow! You must be very cool! (The other 0.02% was due to a fan letter that our company’s founder sent to his own pet cat. But rest assured, Mr. Fluffwhisker III deserved the shoutout, even if a multiverse delivery system wasn’t inherently necessary for that specific postage.)

Our mailboxes have been flooded with requests to send letters from the sender’s respective universes to yours, so much so that requests are practically oozing from our inboxes!!

While we at Multiverse Mail try to figure out a way to transport that immense volume of love letters through the unisphere, we wanted to send you this!

(Also, a few of your ‘blorbos’ urged us to, because they required that you know that they love you *right now*. Most were quite nice about it! A few of them made implications about our continued existence if we were to fail 😳 Er—not that we said anything!)

Sending love and affection from: many iterations of the Doctor, Rassilon, Davros (who I’m sure agrees that we did our job and completed our deal! Right? Right????), PC Plum, Radagast, and about 421 others!

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A rapist's depraved plot to drug a woman for the second time was rumbled as she swiftly "took matters into her own hands". Kevin Knox had already spiked his victim's drink with sleeping tablets once before.

A court heard how he took advantage of the woman on that occasion, by sexually abusing her as she lay powerless to resist in her own bed. But when the 33-year-old tried the same sick trick again months later, his victim acted quickly to stop him.

In what was described in court as "a strange turn of events", the woman swapped her drink around with Knox's. It led to the rapist "essentially drugging himself", the Liverpool Echo reports.

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that Knox raped the woman in August last year before returning to her flat for a second time three months later, leading to an incident which saw him break into the address and steal a kitchen knife. Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, described the "strange circumstances of the case", with the victim having been "supplementing her income" by working as an escort at the time.

Knox, of Maplewood in Kirkby, Merseyside, initially met her as a "potential client" via the website AdultWork. They were said to have "come to an arrangement that he would pay her a sum of money in return for sex", namely £1,750, but he "had no intention of paying".

He instead spiked the woman's vodka drink with zopiclone, a sleeping tablet which was subsequently found in her system, leaving her "feeling extremely groggy" and "rendering her pretty much incapable" before "forcefully" raping her in her own bed. Knox then allegedly stole her bank cards before leaving, although he was subsequently acquitted of charges in relation to this.

Then, in November, he contacted her again "asking if he could pay for her services" using a different phone number and a false name of "Danny". She however recognised him upon him subsequently attending her apartment once more and "decided to take matters into her own hands".

Knox again poured two drinks, but she switched their glasses without his knowledge. He then "started to demonstrate signs of having been drugged" and was subsequently dropped off at a petrol station by the woman.

However, he then returned to her now empty flat once more and smashed a window in order to gain entry before stealing a knife from the kitchen. Police officers then attended the scene and found Knox "wandering about in a communal area" and "stumbling around" with the weapon.

Zopiclone was then similarly found in his system following his arrest. Traces of his semen were also detected during swabs taken from the complainant following the first incident.

Mr Roberts told jurors: "The crown say that, in August, he went round to the flat of an escort intending to have sex, whether she liked it or not and whether he was able to pay or not. The crown say that he saw her as an easy touch and that, a couple of months later, he went round to the same address with the intention of doing exactly the same thing.

"This time, in a strange turn of events, he ended up essentially drugging himself. Then, he broke into her house and armed himself with a knife - thankfully, the police intervened before he could use it."

Robert Wyn Jones, appearing for the prosecution yesterday, told the court that Knox has a total of four previous convictions for eight offences including burglary, but none for sexual offences. He was however subjected to a sexual risk order in 2016 due to "sexually exploitative behaviour towards adolescents and young females" and his "inappropriate sexual interests".

Simon Christie, defending, told the court: "It is of note that his antecedents are for different matters. His only sentence of imprisonment was in September 2016, when he received four months for a wholly different matter.

"He is now in a completely different position, facing, with little experience of the system, a substantial prison sentence. These are serious matters. He is educated. He has been a worker in bars and warehouses.

"He has the benefit of substantial family support. His parents are in court today, and others have supplied references speaking of the other side to the defendant - a respectable family man, a hard worker and a person who people can rely on.

"The defendant is in relatively poor health. He has depression, ulcers for which he has had surgery, Bell's palsy and kidney stones."

Knox was found guilty of three counts of rape and one of burglary by a jury. He was jailed for 12 years, of which he must serve at least two thirds before becoming eligible for release, and handed an additional two years on licence.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Harris said: "In my judgement, you never intended to pay her anything. You spiked her drink in the way she alleged and used violence on her to have intercourse with her.

"She was incapable of fighting you off. She was trying to push you away, but you ripped her shorts off and were determined to have sexual intercourse.

"Testimonials say what a great person you are and how honest, trustworthy and helpful in your community you are. From my observations, I do not find you to be honest, helpful or trustworthy."

Knox was also handed an indefinite restraining order. He will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.