Before we get started, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Walter Sherlock, and I am a resident of Shady Oaks trailer park, conveniently located where most city services end. Some call me a busy body, shoot, I aint been busy since that scaffolding fell on me in 1976 my body don’t look to good either, but oh well, must be one of those sayings.
Dang…it was gonna be another hot one at the trailer park. Jimmy was sure to be upset seeing as how it was his turn to cut the grass near the interstate. As a man of large stature, Jimmy and heat just don’t get along. You see the grass cutting’, it was all part of what they call community service, the judge told him he had to do at least 100 hours of it on a count of his reckless driving conviction, personally didn’t know a Geo Metro could do eighty-five, but that is another story for another time.
As I was sitting down on my porch with my second cup of coffee and fifth cigarette of the morning, I patiently waited to watch Jimmy stumble out of his trailer and walk the five hundred yards to meet the crew cutting grass.
“Morning Jimmy!” I said, loud enough chase away the possum that lived under his porch.
“Morning’ Walter.” He replied.
Jimmy walked toward the crew, unknowing that today would be the luckiest day of his life.
Jimmy picked up his weed wacker and set to work, thankful that he was 65 hours through his stint working for the man. Only 35 to go, he said to himself. As luck would have it, Jimmy was able to work nearest the fence and away from most of the road kill. As he whacked away, he daydreamed about Daytona Beach and that hot chick he saw getting’ a tattoo last year.
“Dang. She sure was a looker.” He thought.
“Whack. Crack. Skreetch!” said his weed whacker.
“Oh dang! Hit some old road kill.” He said aloud.
Only this wasn’t no road kill, it was a big bag full of empties, aluminum empties. Surprised at his good luck, Jimmy quickly sized up the bag, and figured he would be able to get at least 15 bucks from the scrap yard for the junk.
“Looks like its going to be Miller Time tonight” Jimmy yelled.
As the day wrapped up, Jimmy hitched a ride into town and came back a happy man, with a six pack of Miller Light and several scratch off tickets.
“I’m ready to get lucky.” He said to Linda Lou who lived next door.
“Whatever!” Linda said back.
“For real, this ticket is a winner, ain’t no doubt about it.” Retorted Jimmy
As Jimmy sat down to that first scratcher ticket and beer, a shooting star lit up the sky. Jimmy knew it was an omen. And sure enough it was, he won $500 bucks, enough to pay his rent and enough to get his car out of the impound lot.
“Come Monday, I’ll be a driving man again.” Said Jimmy.
And sure enough, he was.