"ey listen ya twat," the old wrinkly man from behind the counter was super pissed because i've been in his store for the past hour. i was looking for a map "I'm no' gunna ask you again! eider ge' outta my store or imma the cops on ya" he growled. Why does he have an English accent if we're in Canada? i walk the aisles for the 18th time humming Snails by the Format, running my fingers along the metal aisles. I stop and pick up some chocolate poptarts and knock them on the edge of the metal, rock hard. the air smells of damp cigars and old bleach.
I'm not looking for a map because i don't know where i am, I'm in Gagetown New Brunswick. i'm looking for a map because i love maps, they give you unobtainable view of the world. i find a satellite map of MB, i check in my red hoodie pocket to see if i had enough money for it, i did. i slowly walk to counter. the man's eyes are twitching.
"here you are sir" i place my stuff on the table, and gleam as if there's no negative energy between us. he growls while he takes my money. i closely examine each button he pushes to open the cash register.
'will this be it?"
"umm" i think quick. what's something you don't keep on shelves, but keep in the back just in case a nutcase waltz in and demands it? i i run my fingers over my leg and it hits me, foot massager. i put on my best fake posh Canadian accent.
"Would you for chance have a foot massager?" he gives a puzzled look
"What business does a boy like you have with a foot massager?" he asks suspiciously.
"it's my mum's birthday an' she's always wanted one. she works up in the fields ya' see, pullin' weeds. she always comes home complaining abou' how her feet ache. so i thought i'd be a darlin' son and get er one," i so nailed it. He looks around his aisles for one.
"well if it'll get ya outta my store sure. i can't see one lemme go check da back" he grumbles and creaks as he walks to a back door, and slams it on his way in. It all happened in a blurred flash after that.
i dash around the counter, and push the register buttons i saw him push moments ago. Change jingles and clatters. What do I grab?
Grab the 100's and 50's dumb-ass says Ecaj
No that'll be too much. Besides the old man would be devastated to all that money gone. Angel jumps in
shut up you! you're always slowing us down! Ecaj growls at him
Sorry. Angel's Ecaj's
i grab the piles of 100's and 50's. my heart is pounding at a million BPMs. I also snatch 3 boxes of cigarettes. I've never smoked but they make me feel cool. i jump over the counter, knocking over fliers for an upcoming pumpkin fest. i grab my map off the floor and bolt over to the propped open door. Once I'm outside i make a full on sprint for the fields in the back of the store, and escape.
1,550$. I laugh out loud. What the hell do i do with this much money? I know it'll get me to where i'm going, oh yeah most defiantly. Maybe i can get a nice hotel room, no i'm not 18. i start to get nervous. what if i get mugged? that's a lot of money to lose. what if i get caught/? i can't get in trouble again while being so close to my goal. 6 months in Canada is more than enough time, i don't wanna spend more time. i start to sprint, not knowing where I'm headed at this time, just to get away from the pressure.
i stop at a willow tree to sit down. i take in the july heat and feel the softness of the velvet grass. three squirrels scurry after one another into the security of the willow. i unravel my map and have a look. It's beautiful, the contour lines aren't in the way but are visible, the details are so vivid that i find my willow tree, all of the streets are written out and the letters flow with the road, all of the colors match the enviroment. one would say it's perfect. I look for the closest train station. I find the Canadian Pacific Railway Station about one and a half miles from my tree.
