Money for Nothing

There is the doorbell could you please get that Todd.

Sure all right.

He opened the door and four people walked in. He took notice with the man with the mustache. Something didn’t seem right. Everybody small talked and then sat at the table. I can help he said.

I’m fine dear. See how helpful my grandson is.

She brought in the pots, trays that matched the china.

She scooped in a bowl but Todd saw nothing. She kept scooping in what looked like air onto the plates.

What is going on? I don’t see the food. Everybody else acts like we are eating. What gives? Do I pretend to eat also? Poor grandma has a problem. I don’t want to embarrass her

“So Todd, are you from around here?” the man with the mustache asked whiie sitting on the couch.

Orinally from Chicago, but I traveled around the world.”

Very nice. His grandma cleaned off the table.

Ready to leave Todd leaned into some of the people said, “It’s nice that you play along with my grandma with her illness and all.”

He witnesses their puzzle glance. I mean she brings in platters with nothing but air. She must you know be going senile.

“I’m not sure I understand a women asked. Gertrude made a delious meal”

“Then I must be overtired,” Todd admitted.

Get some sleep,” a man asked.

“I will”

That night in the guestroom Todd tried to sleep. He saw the clock was only 939p.m. He got up and went into the kitchen to see what there was to eat but every cubbored was empty. He checked the refrigerator. Nothing inside He checked every canister. Zilch I’m so hungry I can eat a steak. Wait we had that for dinner. Why is she pretending to eat food we didn’t have? Did she try to cook it first? Is she going to wash the dishes? This is ridicules which made him focus on getting something to eat I’m going to a restaurant. Wasn’t I supposing to me Jenkin at the restaurant? He hurried and put on his shoes. Got up and sneaked out the door. He noticed the night sky graying. He saw the restaurant up head. He also manged to pass through a tree lined with apples. Being so hungry he reached inside the tree and picked an apple he whiped it the sleeve or his arm and took a bite and another as he walk to the restaurant.

“Police! The man ate an apple, a man yelled from across the street to an approaching police officer.”

Todd became confused.”

“Hey young man said the approaching officer. I’m going have to arrest you.”

“For what.”

’Article 998. Eating apples in the public square. I’m sorry but you will have to come with me.”

“What?”

“If you will come with me to the police office sir. If you resist I will have to put the cuffs on.”

“Explain this to me sir.”

“The fruit on these trees are off limits to climbing breaking or eating from. Come sir and follow me.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life plus give me a break. I am an outsider with no knowledge of your law.”

“Well you can tell it to judge, sir.”

“He was locked into a jail cell. I hope we get over this problem fast. He noticed a man in another cell. I also get to make one phone call. At least I can call my Grandma.

“Todd Anderson the big burly man said his hands on his stomach.

“When do I get my trial so I can get out of here?

“There’s no trial. They told me you were coming this way.

“Auh oh, this sounds like the Witness project.

“What do you want?”

“Something you really want.

“I just want out.”

“Then hand me the paper with the codes.”

“No thanks.”

“You’ll change your tune in a couple of days.” Meanwhile I’m going out to dinner. The man left.”

“It’s useless to escape, the man in the other cell said.”

’How long have you been a prisoner here?”

“Six months. They will never let me go.’

“Why did you pick a fruit too?”

“Yes. I know what is going on.”

’He sat down on the bed. This is one crazy town. People who eat air off of dishes and laws against picking fruit from trees. I was just so hungry.

An officer step in with two trays and put them on a desk.

At last food he said with gusto.” The officer gave the man his food and Todd couldn’t wait for his food. Once I’m done with this and the officer takes it away I’m getting out of here. He took his tray from the officer and sat down like a greedy child and started to eat his spaghetti. He noticed the spaghetti started to move. He dug deeper with his fork and threw down his tray. Worms! I want to upchuck but where. He drank the water but it turned into red tiny worms. He spit it out. He saw the other prisoner eat with gusto. “How do you resort to eating that stuff?”

“I get real food the man said in between bites.”

Todd scanned the room for a hypnosis device. He spotted a blue light over to his left of the cell. They think they can starve me to death to get the info. Todd took off his shirt and tried to throw it on top of the 8-foot pole holding the device. “What are you here for,” Todd said ready to throw his shirt up.

“I wouldn’t do that, the man said. By the way my name is Mitchell”

“Why not Mitchell? Your odds are too great.

What can I say I’m a desperate man? He started to say and throw his shirt over the device. Missed by a hair. Now I have no shirt. What are you in for any way?”

“I know too much.

I need to get my shirt back so the fork will come in handy. So what do you know?”

“I know their operation. You see they hypnotized the people of this town to believe they are buying and cooking and eating food. They go to the store and buy nothing and the origination gets rich. Strange thing is they don’t seemed to be hungry after they eat and they are not losing weight.”

“This device doesn’t work on me as just as I was about to tell someone I was arrested for eating from a cheery tree.”

“How many people know about this device and how do they use it on people.”

“The police Sargent and the Mayor know. Usually from what I see they use sound waves in short bursts.”

“So they pipe this into people’s houses. Do you know through what?”

“I think through the radio or anything plugged in.

So it needs electrify. We had a storm 19 days ago.”

“Electric generators kicked in. But what does this sergeant want from you. I heard he mentioned paper.”

“It’s information I know about. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it in side the cell. I also see they have a camera at the far end of the cell. He yelled into the camera. I know you are there. I don’t have your stupid paper. I lost it on the way. What am I thinking I’m no good to them if they know I don’t know where the paper is? I take that back. I know where it is. When my Grandmother gets wind of this she well try to spring me.”

“You make too many plans,” Mitchell said sitting on his bed eating his meal. I can throw you something but the device is on you.

I need to get a message to my grandmother. Is there anybody here that isn’t part of this scheme?”

“Try office Brent.”

“I also came with a friend.”

“Then he’s dead.”

“What.”

“I heard two officer talking that a man in a diner drew his gun.”

“I told him he was too paranoid.”

“Who was he?”

“Private Jenkinks. I only knew him a short time but he was a very polite man. How long is your sentence?”

“They said two to five years.”

“Just for picking cherries.”

“I wonder what I’m getting.”

“I do know someone who doesn’t believe in what they’re doing. He just goes along to stay safe.”

“Who is he?”

“He’s my brother.”

“Talk lower. We might be bugged.”

“Ok.”

“He leaned into the next cell. Do you know who else is involved?”

“As I said before I think the Mayor is.”

“Well this is disgusting. They never gave them a choice to do this. I’m trying again with my shirt. I’m starved. I know what it’s like to be a guinea pig. I was used in virtual reality game without my knowledge. People need choices.” He heard someone walk in.

“Well do I get my phone call.”

The officer said, “I was told you already made it.

That’s a lie.”

“Well, Sergeant Colman said. “You made it.”

“Well do I get to talk to the Judge.”

“Tomorrow,” The officer said.

Maybe there is hope. “Do we get to brush our teeth around here?

“Sure I’ll give you some toothpaste and brush. I see you haven’t touched your dinner. Not that hungry. But I’ll try again.”

“Good you boys have a goodnight then.”

“What about the toothbrush,” he asked moving closer to the door.”

“Yes thanks for reminding me.” He left out of the room.

“Is he one of them?” Todd asked

“No, he is officer Belsky. He is pretty nice.”

“How can I convince him I didn’t know about the law? Is the judge apart of this caper?”

No. But the Mayer is. As far as I know he’s the one that gives the orders here. But it seems you’re in a no win situation. What is this paper they want so bad?”

“I don’t know what is on it. I just know they want it.”

“Hmmm. I gave up long time ago,”

“I just have to think. I’m starving and...”

“Todd.”

“Grandma.”

“I’m getting you out on bail.”

“They have told me how much.”

“Grandma did you know about this law of picking apples.”

’Yes.”

“But you never told me about such a law. If I knew I wouldn’t have picked the fruit.”

“I thought I told you at the dinner table.”

“No, not that I remember.”

“Grandma I would remember something like that.”

“Who is your friend?”

“His name is Mitchell. Grandma you got to get me out of here.’

“I’m going to post your bail now.”

“Yes,” he said as he watched her leave. I’m getting out on bail. Who am I kidding the sergeant and I still haven’t settled things.

Gertrude came back in. “I don’t understand it but some for picking apples it is ten thousand dollars. I don’t have that much.”

“I expected it Grandma. I’ll think of something. I can’t let you sit in this cold cell. If I have to go into my saving bonds.”

“Grandma don’t do that. It doesn’t matter. They want a scape goat.”

“I’m your grandma I’ll see what I can do.” Gertrude touched his arm turned and left.

“Maybe the paper contains some secrete formula for food,” Mitchell said.

“I don’t know but they been trying to take it from me. It’s not even mine. It’s my dads. He somehow pumped the information through me so I can carry it around. This group the Witness project found out and been pursuing ever since.”

“Do you think Seagate Colman is part of this group?

Yeah. He knows about the information. I just got to figure out how to get out of here.”

“Like I said, I give up.”

“I know we’re in a bad situation right now but you can’t give up. Once we do that we are goners. Maybe if we work together we can get out of this.”

“We’re are locked in cells.”

“I’ve been in bigger situations then this. Just let me think about it before the hunger gets the best of me.”

Officer Belsky came in with his toothbrush and toothpaste. To Todd it looked like a scene out of the Andy Griffin show.

“Thanks. Can I keep my toothbrush?”

“I don’t see why not. Can you hand me my shirt over there?”

“Sure.” He gave it to Todd “Good night boys.” He left. What would mom do in a situation like this? Some how this toothbrush is my ticket out of here.