The SOS came in that morning.

That's usually short for Save Our Ship.

In this case, it was Step On it Swiftly.

The real estate boss, Jennifer, needed a paper signed. By three people. In three towns. Notarized by me.

Now.

I'm a traveling notary public. That means I'm mobile. Can go anywhere. Anytime. At the drop of a distress signal.

And man, did this SOS creat IA: Instant Action.

There I was at my day job -- editing copy at a financial newspaper in Los Angeles.

Even my evening schedule was jammed. Had an online TV show to do in nearby Santa Monica.

So when Jennifer's call came, I had one option: hit the highway.

Jumped in the Mustang. Pointed it toward Orange County and gunned it.

First stop: Karla's office an hour away in Fullerton. She had the paper and the first signature. I had the stamp.

Second stop: Rosalyn's home, also in Fullerton. She's Karla's mom and the definition of sweet. Here she was in a wheelchair at the Sunnycrest Chalet elderly care facility, and how did she greet me? With a smile and lovely “Isn’t it beautiful here?” She signed. I stamped.

Third stop: Aaron's office, a half-hour away in Tustin. He's Rosalyn's son. Signed. Stamped. That eve he would have the paper FedExed to Jennifer.

Eureka.

Two hours through packed roads later, I landed in the TV studio. My co-host asked what we would talk about.

Somehow I avoided the topics that dominated this day: SOS, IA and NG -- Notary Gratification.