Each tenant had an identical key. Each had a different interpretation of the contract. (interpretation: explanation, reading, construction) The first felt no obligation to pay for another lock. (obligation: duty, responsibility, commitment) The second believed reimbursement was obligatory. (reimbursement: repayment, refund, compensation; obligatory: mandatory, compulsory, required) The third, a former locksmith, drew their attention to indemnification. (indemnification: compensation, indemnity, reimbursement) The owner's promise to indemnify a tenant for specified loss was conditional. (indemnify: compensate, reimburse, recompense; conditional: contingent, dependent, qualified) It didn't settle who had ordered the wrong lock.
While they argued the case, the only tenant with an actual loss sat on the doorstep with melting groceries. She could litigate for months. (litigate: sue, bring suit, go to court) What she wanted was someone competent to open the door. (competent: capable, able, proficient) The locksmith requested her consent, inspected the number on her key and walked around the corner. (consent: permission, agreement, assent) A label above a brass plate said EAST COURT. They were standing at East Close.
Nobody wanted compensation after that. (compensation: recompense, remuneration, payment) They wanted to keep the ice cream cold. The woman opened her own door, divided the softening tub into four bowls and wrote a new address label for the owner in lieu of sending him the bill. (in lieu of: instead of, in place of, as a substitute for)