[Fmpro] Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?

[Jim Chase]

"Having to take out a bank loan is another form of serfdom."
  - Job van Zuijlen,
====

     I went to a bank for a truck loan circa 1983.  The loan officer  
was Mr. Klenchbuns.

"Mr. Chase, you have listed as collateral your house, and some 'music  
equipment'.  Is that correct?"  Mr. Klenchbuns adjusted his spectacles.

"It's all right there" I replied, feeling the heat of intense scrutiny.

"And I see here that you're a... 'professional musician'..."  His lip  
curled.  " I'm sorry, but our bank doesn't..."

"... and I'm a Printer"  I interrupted.  "It's all there."

"Hmm, Yes, I see"  he read further.  "Okay, then, let's get the  
paperwork started."

     I really needed the truck to transport band equipment from gig  
to gig (which, in Alaska, could be several hundred miles) but the  
loan officer didn't have to know that, nor the fact that I was  
earning more as a performing musician than as a union journeyman  
printer at the time.

    Point?  Prejudicial (negative) treatment of musicians when  
applying for a bank loan.

Jim Chase