The population of Whoville was not quite sure what to make of the summons, as the country judge had come to them, seemingly by a complaint from one of the locals. They were not quite sure what it was all about, even as some whispered and screamed. For down from the mountain quite some way away from the town, was the Grinch, that sour frown on his face. Children were pulled away from that unsightly creature, even as the mayor approached. "Now then Grinch, what brings you to town?"
He huffed, eyes cold as snow, a hand on that poor dog's neck, fingers feeling. As if the brute was pondering snapping the creatures neck, of that the mayor had no doubt! "I have come, to see if the judge will find in my favor." The frown, so bitter and full of malice deepened. "I have asked and asked, sent letter and petition year after year. I have reached the end of my rope, you have left me no other choice."
A ripple came from the crowd, as they whispered and frowned, old who mothers whispering to each other. What was it that the Grinch had so sought, what had vexed him so? Yes, he was not the most social of souls, even as they had tried and they had tried. They tried to make him feel included, a part of the town, but he always took offense, conjuring slights where none ever existed! But, to summon a judge? Such was not done as they all filed down to the meeting place, the Judge and his traveling court assembling.
A poor neighbor they sniffed, and they knew his suit would fail. Why, perhaps they would take him away, away from their children, who spoke of his traps and his tricks up on that mountain of his! All knew him to be an ungodly and wicked creature, but until now... they had been content to not venture up into the mountains to his squalid shack. To properly express that he should take on those good and Whoesome values if he wished to have a long and fulfilling life.
They sat before the Judge, all of Whoville on one side, even as young Euchariah looked nervous and unsure, wanting to head over (knowing something more of the truth than most of what the others would easily accept) and on the other was the Grinch and his dog.
Still, the Judge looked at the assembled and spoke, his tone serious and sure. "I am here today regarding a complaint that the town of Whoville has repeatedly and willfully violated several..." The judge reached out, long fingers pinching his nose. "Well, several of its own noise bylaws, several dozen trespassing cases and at least one count of vandalism." The judge, he sighed and looked around. "The one submitting the complaint has waived the entirely too plausible, from what I have overheard, slander and defamation of character, which given his status at large is something quite serious."
The inhabitants of Whoville looked around, confused at that as they spoke. "His status your honor?"
The grinch merely shrugged, for he did not care what they thought of him. Still, the Judge considered. "He is, in addition to being a monster hunter of some skill, well known to those making a study of the stars, and of the flora and fauna of the mountains. Very rarely in person, as I understand, via some of the documentation provided, that he suffers from severe social anxiety disorder, bordering on an almost physical reaction to social interaction. One whose symptoms are alleviated by his emotional support dog?"
Eyes widen as they look at the still, green figure, his hands running through the mutts hair, said dogs head on his lap. Yellow eyes narrow in a glare as he grunts an affirmation, clearly not wanting to be here... even as he forced himself to be.
Hours would pass, as the evidence, carefully collected, was shared and presented. Of how he had been so willing to comprise a long time ago, to let them make all of that 'infernal racket' on Christmas... but he would ask that if he could hear it up in his home, five miles away and up a mountain?
That they cease and desist the nightly refrain. And that they stay off his private property. For as he produced the deed? The grinch did indeed own Mount Crumpit and was sick of needing to rescue young idiots from wandering into the more dangerous parts of the mountain. He marked the trails and the at risk areas, but young men would be as young men so often are. He merely asked that their parents keep them away, that it was no longer HIS problem.
And so it was, that the Who's went home, their pockets no lighter, not a single cent short. Rather, as they sullenly glared, they merely had to be quiet, to not make such a ruckus. It was unfair and it was cruel, for how DARE that nasty old hermit in his mountain shack dictate how they would live and act! How dare they change to suit his preference, should he not be made to integrate, to be more social and aware?
They muttered and cursed into their cups and sewing circles, even as high above in a well made log cabin inside of a cave, the Grinch lay back, a smile on his face as he sighed. "Peace and quiet at last!"