Baffling the Court

Turning to the Surfas camp, the Superior Court commissioner said his “common sense” told him two things. A suitable warehouse replacement surely was available “within a reasonable distance,” he said. Mr. Mitchell also was puzzled as to why it was so critical for a warehouse to be practically within view of the retail portion of Surfas Restaurant Supply and Gourmet Foods. Why couldn’t you develop a shuttle system? he asked. Ms. Sandifer pointed out that a 10,000-piece inventory is involved. When the company moved into the present warehouse, Ms. Sandifer said, months were required.

The Family’s Assignment

While Ms. Ailin apologetically hurried down the corridor to her next case, Ms. Sandifer gave directions to the Surfas family. She said they needed to draw up a detailed accounting — names, addresses, precise assessments — of the several dozen warehouse alternatives they have considered. As Mr. Surfas, his wife Diana and his son Steven listened to their attorney, the businessman shot a sarcastic arrow in the direction of City Hall. “I think it’s a personal vendetta,” he said. “Can you imagine if Culver City didn’t like me?”