West 95th LP brought a small claims case against Cecilia Gullas seeking $5,000 in unpaid rent.
After the matter was postponed, Cecilia failed to appear on the rescheduled date and the Kings County Civil Court awarded her former landlord a judgment for the sums sought.
She later made three attempts to have the judgment vacated but wasn't successful because (among other things) her papers failed to offer a "reasonable excuse" for her non-appearance.
On appeal, the Appellate Term, Second Department, thought that what was a "reasonable excuse" was within the trial court's discretion and, in any event, because her papers didn't show why her former landlord wasn't entitled to the monies in question, the judgment was left undisturbed.
That must have broke Cecilia's heart.
To view a copy of the Appellate Term's decision, please use this link: West 95th, LP v. Gullas