Foreclosure auctioneer's lonely task

With an unhurried stride and a fresh stack of mortgage loans gone bad, Rick Crossley arrived at the small plaza outside the Prince William County courthouse on a bright, windy morning recently and found it deserted. He cleared his throat, opened a thick folder and, with little ceremony, began to read aloud.
"This is a trustee's foreclosure auction," he announced. "Any parties with interest, please step forward at this time."...