On the advice of self-proclaimed legal expert Earl Hicks (Dave Madden), Mel ups the security at the diner by having his waitresses bonded. This throws Vera into a panic; it seems that she has (or thinks she has) a "criminal past." Before the situation is resolved, Vera has gone on the lam and is hanging out with a group of colorful (and aromatic) street people. In the original TV Guide listings, future Night Court regular Selma Diamond is credited as the "bag lady", but the episode itself credits comedienne Carol Arthur, the wife of Dom DeLuise. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi