Wouldn’t it be nice if I could eat something other than stale bread and Nutripaste?, just for a day?

  Sighing at my own piss-poor situation, I gingerly took out a needle filled with a dark red liquid. I winced as I put the tip of the needle towards a vein, and pressed down, coughing as I breathed in the smell of cigarettes and petrochemicals. The pain was sharp but quick. Clearing my head, I took three steps backwards, then rushed forwards to punch the glass front door of the corner store open. But before I could, I saw police rushing down the badly maintained sidewalk through the smog, weapons raised.

  BANG BANG BANG

  “Order! I will have order!” shouted the judge, The Honorable Mr. Judge Williams, a bespoke man in a fancy blue blazer, with a matching blue tie. His forehead was carved with deep lines, and he had deep frown lines like he had already done this a million times before. His ornately carved oak gavel was obviously his most prized possession, and he loved to show it off whenever he could. In fact, some of the unfortunate ones who were unlucky enough to be in his courtroom complained of a headache that lasted for days later. Interestingly, he had curly green hair. But all the seriousness of the judge couldn’t take the attention of the jury, who sat behind a long wooden desk, eyes glued to the newest show, Stranger Things 12, that popped up on the IMAX screen behind the judge. They were wearing those stupid blue and red 3-D glasses as well, enjoying the action from the Sennheiser soundbar and two Bose loudspeakers placed loosely against the peach-coloured wall, faces dumb with delight.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “Mr. Vexis, are you paying attention? The verdict will now be released!” boomed the judge, eyes glaring at me.

  A small man in the corner proclaimed, “The jury has unanimously found that Kael Vexis is guilty of breaking and entering. The sentence will be a hundred year of community service in Cape Breton Highlands National Park! Transportation will be provided by Amazon, Inc. We will now have a short commercial break - stay tuned!”

  Great, I thought, One day delivery.