Salvage Value Short Stop

I reached out to Shaune on Social Media after seeing one of his paintings online, asking if I could use one of his works of social commentary as a writing prompt. He agreed and then told me he’d plan to create a separate piece based on what I wrote. My flash fiction piece is below, based on the image above. I’ll post or link to anything he comes up with after the fact once complete. This was a really interesting collaboration and I am so happy I stumbled upon this talented artist’s work.

“It’s a felony, Rebecca.”

“What are you talking about? No it’s not.”

“Yeah. It is. How much do you get every month?”

“One hundred and forty three dollars. I buy whatever he puts on the list, it’s always different, random stuff… but it always adds up to one hundred and forty three dollars exa…”

“Exactly?”

“Yeah! Exactly!”

“Doesn’t that seem kind of weird to you? A random list every month, and even with tax it is always exactly the amount you have in food sta…”

“It’s, whatever! Anyway, I bring him the stuff on the list and he pays me, in cash, triple what I am given each month in food stamps.”

“Um, okay? Hello? Total fucking felony.”

“Honestly Jackie could you be more judgemental?”

“I’m just pointing out that you’re committing a crime.”

“What are you a court of law now?”

“More like Judge Judy.”

“Wow. Just… wow.”

…but the thing of it was? Jackie was right.

Rebecca had been spiraling for years with alcohol abuse and buying prescription pills off her coworkers. She’d let her finances get ahead of her by nursing a compulsive online shopping habit and she’d dropped shifts at work to pursue auditions and web cam events in an attempt to build an acting and modeling career.

Everything had become a vicious cycle.

With her current shifts at work and tip share she made just enough to pay rent and a few bills. With this food stamp gig she could cover everything and afford things again. Invest in her entertainment career. Order take out. Live like a normal fucking person.

“I swear to God Jackie, if you were in my position you’d do the same thing.”

“Honey. I gave up drinking ten years ago. If you were in my position you wouldn’t have to break the law.”

Sometimes the truth hurt. Sometimes it stung like hell.

“It’s not breaking the law if I never get caught.”

“Get your shit together, Rebecca.”

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