I had a rush subpoena for a woman who another process serving company had attempted to serve but she would never answer her door, and she lived in a posh high security condo in Chevy Chase. In the past I would usually use my red pizza delivery bag on difficult services but just before I left the office I received an edible arrangement from my darling wife and it came in a nice white bag with the company’s name printed on the side. I put the papers under the box of chocolate covered strawberries in my new bag and security didn’t even give me a second look as I walked past him. When I arrived at the subject’s condo, someone looked at me through the peep hole but retreated and never answered the door. A few minutes later I called the subject by her first name and once again the peep hole darkened and I held up the bag and announced “Delivery!” She hesitated for a few seconds and said, “Leave it at the door.” I said, “Ma’am, I need a signature or I have to take it back.” She hesitated a few more seconds and then opened the door and acknowledged her name. When I pulled the subpoena from the bag, she had a few choice words for me and slammed the door, but not before the papers floated to her feet. I celebrated all the way down in the elevator with my chocolate covered strawberries.
(Note regarding drop services: It is not necessary for the party being served to actually take the documents in their hand, only to have knowledge that they are being served and the immediate ability to take possession of the document, at that point they have been served, whether they take them in their hand or the papers are dropped at their feet.)
