Debt already paid need continuance for court date

[MissouriMark33]

What is the name of your state? MO

I have an old debt originating from a time when I was laid off. The debt was purchased by LVNV Funding and I requested verification of debt and a payment plan and they were very difficult to deal with. To make a long story short we could never come to an agreement because they wanted my bank account information and I was not willing to do that . Last month I recieved a summons to appear in court. It came at a good time because I had just recieved my taxes and I wanted to make every effort to pay the bill. I sent a cashiers check for payment in full per the written agreement LVNVs attorney had faxed me. My problem is that the court date is still scheduled and the date its set is a day when a number of mangers in the office I am employed at are away for a conference. This leaves me as the only manager available to run the office and it would create a huge hardship for my employer if I am gone. The attorney for LVNV said they will request a continuance, I would prefer a dismissal, but I am not sure how this whole process works. I have already sent a letter requesting a continuance to the judge per the advice of an employee in the County Clerks office that I spoke to. When I called this time to check on my letter redarding a contiuance they put me through to judges secretary and she said I still need to be there and thats not how things work and that the judge may grant a continuance on the original court date. That does not help my work situation so I might as well just appear that day and hope my employer does not get upset. Does anyone have any suggestions? I really am doing my best to take care of this and NOT lose my job in the meantime.