Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Day's End (01/01/14)
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TITLE: Temptation | Previous Challenge Entry
By Steve McClure
01/08/14 -
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John began to protest, but the call had ended. He looked around his meager efficiency apartment. Now even this will be gone, he thought.
The clean-shaven young man grabbed his windbreaker and tromped to the door. He paused. Uncharacteristically, he muttered, “Lord, maybe somehow….”
He abruptly jerked the door open and scrambled down the stairs into the street. That was stupid, he grumbled to himself, striding along the sidewalk. How could I expect He would do anything for me?
He crossed the street and trekked through the park. Something was going on – flashing lights and a crowd.
“What’s happening?” he asked.
“Heart attack or something.”
The ambulance sped off and the crowd dispersed. John sat down on a bench nestled in a row of bushes. He was reluctant to begin the morning visits to usual employers just to receive the usual rejections. He leaned back and tucked his legs under the bench. His heel struck something solid. Some sort of case. He pulled it from the litter under the bench. A black, leather – and locked – briefcase. The tag read: Edwards Jewelry.
John looked up and down the sidewalk. No sign of an owner. He stared at the case on his lap. It wasn’t hard to imagine what might be in there. He fondled the wheel lock. A screwdriver could have this open in no time. John sat. Morning became afternoon.
He grabbed the handle and started off down the street. Nobody paid attention. He crossed the intersection at B Street…and stopped. The address on the tag was 124 B Street. He stood for a long while, pondering....
He turned and headed down B Street for about 10 minutes to 124. He walked straight to the back of the store where he could see offices. He handed the case to a clerk and announced, “I believe this is yours,” then turned to go.
“Wait,” implored the surprised clerk. “Where did you get this?”
“Found it under a park bench.”
“Mr. Edwards,” called the clerk. “I think you should see this.”
Edwards emerged from an office. “What’s with the case?” he asked.
“Well, I think it might be Robert’s,” replied the clerk. “This gentleman says he found it in the park.”
“Really,” Edwards mused, turning toward John. “What’s your name, son?”
“John Buchanan.”
“Well, John, you’ve made quite a find. Would you mind stepping into my office?”
“It’s all there,” John protested. “I didn’t open it.”
“I can see that,” assured Edwards. “I’d just like to speak with you if I may.”
John followed and took a seat beside the desk.
Edwards sat down, laid the case on the desk, twirled the wheel lock, and opened the lid. “It’s Robert’s, all right. We had no idea he had it with him.”
“How’d it get under the bench?” John asked.
“This morning, Robert suffered a stroke on his way in, by the park. My guess is that in all the commotion his case was pushed under the bench and forgotten.”
“How’s he doing?” John asked.
“Too soon to tell; they’re running tests. His family’s with him. Thanks for asking.”
“Well, hope he’s better. Uh, can I go?”
“John, if you don’t mind my asking, where do you work?”
“I’m sort of between jobs, right now.”
“What do you do?”
“Construction, mostly. But it’s so tight now, I’d consider most anything.”
“Had any brushes with the law?”
“No….” He paused. “But I’m about to be evicted.”
“Hmm.” Edwards thought for a moment. “If we run a background check, what will we find?”
“Nothing. I’m a good worker…when I have work.”
“John, do you know what’s in this case?”
“Not really. Papers…lunch.” He chuckled. “Maybe a diamond or two.” He chuckled again.
Edwards turned the case around so John could view its contents – papers of all sorts, an apple and a sandwich…and a small velvet bag. Edwards untied the bag and poured its contents onto the desk. John gasped – a small mound of newly cut diamonds.
“Robert apparently picked these up early this morning,” explained Edwards. “I didn’t know they were ready yet.” He looked intently at the young man. “Honest people are hard to come by, John. Who’s your landlord and what do you owe him?”
“J.B. Wilkins…963 dollars.”
Edwards scribbled a bit, then tore out and handed John a check. “We can’t have a potential employee living on the street.”
John stared at the check…and thought about his earlier feeble prayer.
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Thank you! Beautiful job and message.
God bless~