One door closes and another slams

Penalty

"A day late and a dollar short. It's tough to squeeze things these days. Know what I mean?"

"Unfortunately I do, but that won't help you here. You gotta pay to stay otherwise we'll give your bed to someone who can."

"That's just what I'm saying though. I cannot pay. But I'm hoping you'll help a brother out."

"It doesn't work like that here. You'll have to move on. There are others waiting behind you."

I turned my head to look over my shoulder. I found that behind me there was a sparring line of well seasoned and eccentric characters. Many of them glared at me, muttering what I can only imagine to be curses on me. Others in the line also muttered to themselves, but they did so staring at the ceiling or down the street into space.

I turned back to the man at the door. "Look man-"

"I already said no nicely. Don't make me say it again."

"Fine," I said, throwing a hand in the air, "I got it."

I picked up my rucksack off the ground and hefted it over my shoulder. Three nights in a row I've been paying five dollars to stay at that shelter. I come up one time a bit short on the amount and they turn me away? Fuckers. The whole lot of them, mother fucking fuckers. Fuck them. I can find somewhere better to stay. Just one night anyhow there's bound to be a lot of places. I started my trek through the neon lighted streets. The concrete jungle as many refer to it. A little rain has started, slicking the roads and creating a sheen on the streets. Words like, restaurant, open, and Chinese made the streets glow in colors of red and blue. The white street lamps were stark in contrast and I felt the need to shield my eyes. What time was it?

The chill in the air told me it was late. The sky was black. Not a single star was visible through the light of the city. Maybe I would've shivered if I wasn't already so adjusted to the cold.My steps staggered as I grew more tired and I cursed to myself.

"Fucking legs can barely carry me anymore." The city was half alive at this time of night. The same way I felt. Occasionally sirens would blare and a frenzy of activity would follow. The crash from trash cans getting knocked over the scurrying of startled rats across the street. I started looking for a space just so I could get out of the rain. Many of the doorways were blocked by bars and protective metal frames. These didn't even have an inch to spare. My luck seemed to turn and I found a doorway with a step to keep me from the pooling rain. I wedged myself in the doorway using my rucksack as a pillow. I pulled the hood of my coat tightly around my face to hide it from the city lights. I felt a sharp hit in my ribs. I inhaled quickly. "Get up man this is my stop." My penalty for being a day late and a dollar short.