The Case of the Blue-Colored Signature: Childish, Prudish or Professional? Gross?

● October 18, 2005: Epilogue. The courier arrives shortly past 1:00 pm with the settlement agreement. Attached to the envelope is a Post-it note stating: IN BLUE "original your signature" Return to Michael Allen.
Lo and behold, the agreement copy delivered to Heinz Dinter does not hold the general manager's signature in blue; Dinter is handed an agreement produced on a copying machine. He signed in blue using the pen the courier brought along. That's the second time he signed the agreement in blue. Earlier in the morning, he was instructed by Allen’s staff to entrust Uncle Sam's Postal Service with the agreement that bears Dinter’s signature in blue. Immediately following the non-compliant, one-sided agreement exchange, Dinter sent an email to the GM.

● October 18, 2005 Tuesday 1:52 PM
Dinter’s email to Michael Allen, General Manager, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida:
Michael, the agreement you delivered today does not bear your original signature. Please sign a copy in blue and mail it to me. I did so for you.
Thank you.
Heinz

● October 22, 2005 Saturday 2:00 PM
A second email to Michael Allen, General Manager, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida:
Michael, you have not yet fulfilled your obligation. Please do it, let me know why not, or I shall interpret your conduct and act accordingly.
Heinz

● October 22, 2005 Saturday 6:15 PM
Email from Scott Vokey, General Counsel, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Bellevue, Washington:
Heinz: Stop threatening. What would you do to "act accordingly"??? What do you think your remedy is? And who do you think will enforce it? Do you think there is a breach of the agreement? What do you think a court would do since you have been paid a substantial amount of money and you have a signed agreement? We will get an original signature with initials off to you this week unless the hurricane or other event prevents it. Too, it may not be in blue ink. Scott [sic].

● October 23, 2005 Sunday 8:17 AM
Email from Michael Allen, General Manager, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida:
Heinz, I mailed an original copy, per your request out on Thursday October 20th, 2005. I signed it in blue ink. For the purpose of putting this to closure, I will again re send out a fully executed, original signed copy with my signature in red on Monday October 24th, as long as DHL is running. You will receive it on Tuesday by noon.
Heinz, due to Hurricane Wilma, if DHL is not running, it will then be sent out Tuesday morning. I will also email you the tracking number.
Please understand, there was no attempt to delay your request, unfortunately, I can not control the US Postal Service but again it will be sent overnight on Monday with all pages showing my original signature.
Let me know if you need anything else [sic].
Michael D. Allen
General Manager
The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
MAllen@groveisle.com
Direct # 305-860-4350
Fax # 305-860-4393

● October 22, 2005 Saturday 8:39 PM
Dinter’s email to Scott Vokey, General Counsel, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Bellevue, Washington:
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your prompt reply to this email, even though none came in response to my October 18, 2005 1:52 PM email communication.
So many questions! Don't you know the answers? I would gladly be of assistance — especially helping friends — but obeying the law is of paramount importance. I'm referring to UPL, you know.
If not in blue, which color will you resort to? Oops! I asked a question calling for an answer. Will it interfere with your duties as an officer of the court in the most admirable state of Washington?
Most sincerely yours,
Heinz
PS: In case the State of Washington does not have UPL laws: UPL is the unlicensed practice of law.

● November 4, 2005 Bingo! Another copy of the agreement arrives — signed in red.