A quote: “True freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others.” ~~ Jonathan Sacks
I’ll start with a story …
*********************************
“Yes, you can sit down.
Vegetable soup. At least it’s hot. I’m only allowed meat twice a week.
Wait, I’m legally required to tell you my story. As my son was convicted under the exemplary justice statutes, I’m responsible for witnessing his crime and punishment.
I was barred from his trial, sentencing, even his execution. I was brought outside my home to watch as they dumped his ashes in the street. The State took everything … home, job, friends …
Insurrectionist? Yeah, right. The state was in grave danger from a 9-year-old boy caught scribbling an obscenity against Dear Leader.”
*********************************
Now, it’s your turn.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. featured image, cropped, Adobe Stock standard license
Cameron says: I was more than confused after the lawyer finished speaking. “You’re sure about this. Completely sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, sir. My client was quite clear on this. The money was left to you and will be wired to your account.”
“But why me? Forgive me if I sound ungrateful but I didn’t know her.”
She passed a picture over. A homeless woman was drinking some hot coffee that I’d given her on a lark.
“She did not have heirs and she decided to give her wealth to someone who was able to show kindness without making a production of it.”
Sheila Garrett says: They watched another pickup truck go by. “We have to stop someone! We’re lost, the battery is dead, and the phones have no signal.”
“Baby, you know we’re in Nowhere, Tennessee. They’ll kill us for sure, you because you’re a man and me because I’m black.”
Behind them they heard the clop of a horse, turning, they saw a woman dismount the gray stallion. She asked about their problem and the next truck that came by she flagged down and got them a tow to Taylor’s Garage. Dropping them off, the man in the pickup refused their offer of payment and left. Ben admitted he didn’t have a Eco-charger for their electric car but he thought he could get them hooked up to his battery charger and have them going in about three hours.
Suddenly the woman was back, having followed on her horse. She asked how long they had been stuck there and learning they had been lost since the night before, insisted they come with her for coffee at the Vegetable Market. Once there she told the waitress to serve them a full breakfast, then vanished into the kitchen.
People came and went, mostly farmers and factory workers, but no one accosted them, only looking at them curiously. Three hours later the waitress told them that the garage called and their car was ready. When they tried to pay they were told their bill had been paid.
The story was the same at the garage. After the mechanic gave them a map and directions to the Interstate, “But why?” the woman asked. Ben looked at her tousled hair and five-o-clock shadow. He shook his head, “This is how we treat each other here.”
Navig8r says: Beggar can be a useful cover for a spy, like Balaam in a Heinlein novel. People try to pretend you aren’t there. You see things. You hear things. It’s different now with massive homeless camps in the business district. Instead of strolling and talking, people curl their noses and try to navigate without stepping on needles or excrement. All they think about is getting outta here. Usually my employers want lots of detail on everything. With the society circling the drain, the main thing they care about now is which faction is going to win control of the nukes.
I shot a quick look up and down the street, making sure it was safe before I handed the old woman the cup of soup. “Namaste.”
“Namaste,” she whispered in response, although her awkward pronunciation made it clear she was unfamiliar with the word.
I hated having to hurry on as if nothing had happened. She did not know me and I didn’t know her. It was safer that way.
I understood the reasons behind the laws against the distribution of food to the indigent. Not just the food-safety issues, but the problems when large numbers of people with severe problems like mental illness congregated. Or the risk that helping such people would only enable destructive behaviors. But the government would’ve done far better to allow individuals and faith communities to make their own judgments on who they should help, instead of putting the matter in the hands of bureaucrats to whom everyone was just another number.
dribbl3r says: Where’s my limo? she thought. She glanced down at her nails. The nail technician suggested cutting the tips of the gloves so her platinum polish wouldn’t smear. Now waiting, she was sipping her favorite latte as it cooled while cooling her heels. Damn COVID – standing out here in the cold with long straggly hair looking homeless. While she’d rather have her fur, this fleece-knit coat was surprisingly warm. The limo! Soon I’ll be coiffed and beautiful ready for a night on the town on the arm of my handsome grandson.
5 Comments