The next morning, Mason rented a small soil auger from the local hardware store. As soon as the machine roared to life, Sylvia's front door flew open. She didn't just walk out; she sprinted across her lawn, her face pale and twisted in absolute panic.
"Stop! Stop right now! You don't have the permits to dig!" she screamed, physically throwing herself toward the machine.
Mason cut the engine. "It's my property, Sylvia. I can plant a tree if I want to."