It was just another day at work for Todd Bolo. He stood by the punch clock waiting for it to click one more minute, so that he could punch out on time and go. It was two-fifty-nine. He yawned and stretched and then looked at the time again. It was still two-fifty-nine. He didn't know yet, that, by this time tomorrow, he would be diagnosed with a fatal disease. He wouldn't have ever imagined that, a few months from now, he would be the most wanted man in Chicago and that he would be guilty of more than twenty murders.  He thought he would get off work at three o'clock, go to the bar, have a few drinks and laughs with the boys and stagger home in time for the ten o'clock news.
   Just then, he heard a whining voice that he never liked. "Hey Todd, it's time for your annual physical and drug test. And you have to do it today". He turned to see his supervisor Alfred, always smiling that fake, stab you in the back smile as he handed Todd a piece of paper.
   Todd said "can't this wait 'til tomorrow? I have a lot to do, man." He knew he had nothing better to do, he just didn't want to do it, not now. But he knew the rules and he knew he had to get it done in two hours, or else he would be fired. That's how it worked. They didn't give you time to go and drink some juice that could alter your drug test results. Once they hand you the order to go, you have two hours to do it, or you get fired.
   Just then Alfred said "it doesn't really matter to me, I know a couple of drivers that would love to get promoted to your job." And Todd knew that was true. The drivers were union and couldn't be fired, no matter how slow or stupid they were. But he could. He knew it when he took the promotion, but he took it anyway. He thought it would be better to have some authority. But in hindsight, he had more peace of mind as a driver and he missed it.
    He frowned and grabbed the paper out of Alfreds hand. "I'll go" he said glumly, then he punched out.
   So, off he went to the clinic, wondering why he stayed in this small town, with little opportunities, since his wife died three years ago. The only reason he moved to Wisconsin in the first place, was because she wanted to live there, close to her mom, who died the very next year. He was a city boy who grew up in Chicago. Sometimes he missed the big city, with it's big opportunities. But he was comfortable here now and he doubted he would ever return. He didn't like his job, but he liked his friends and neighbors. They were good people, who took care of each other. Not like the people he knew in Chicago, who always wanted something for nothing.
   He got to the clinic and saw only a few people waiting. Trying to talk himself into believing he was better of staying, he remembered the crowded waiting rooms he used to have to deal with before he moved here. In Chicago, sometimes there would be twenty people waiting and you would be there for three hours. This wasn't so bad.
   After about ten minutes, they called his name. He moped into the tiny room and waited another five minutes before the doctor showed up. "How are you, Todd?" He asked.
   Todd smiled a genuine smile. He liked this doctor. "I am doing fine, the only reason I am here is because I need to take a drug test and get my annual physical." He added "I work out, jog two miles a day and I usually eat right. I am in perfect health, for my age."
   Doctor Watkins tapped a small hammer on his knee and asked "have you had your cholesterol checked?" Todd answered "no, I haven't". Then the doctor added "there are a few more tests we should do on you. You know, you're forty-three now and you are at risk for so many things that you really should come back tomorrow and let us run a few tests on you." Todd reluctantly agreed.
   He left the doctors office and went straight to the bar. Everybody was there. Moose said "hey you're late, we were beginning to wonder if you were coming." Joey added "come on, we're about to start a pool tournament and I need a partner." They talked and drank and played pool until nine-thirty. Just as Todd was leaving, he told them "I hate my job and my fucking boss, you guys make it all worth while." He took one more drink and walked home around the corner. He was smiling. That was fun. Joey hit that three rail bank to win the game and everybody clapped. Moose was his usual funny self.
   The next day after work, Todd went to see Dr. Watkins and they performed a few tests. They took some blood and they hooked him up to a cardiovascular machine and they even made him do a full body cat scan. After all that, Dr. Watkins said "I'll call you if anything turns up." And Todd left.
   Two days later, the phone rang. "Todd, I need to see you as soon as possible." It was Dr. Watkins. Todd nervously answered "ok, I'll be right there."

Next Page