Trash Day

February 10, 2008

Writing Prompt:

It’s garbage day and you put your trash on the curb, but when you return home from work, it’s still there (though everyone else’s garbage has been taken away). The next week, it happens again–and again the following week. Why is the trash collector snubbing you? Write a scene explaining why he’s skipping your garbage and how you figured it out.

"I’m telling you, they are not picking it up!" Sara looked outside at the three overstuffed trash cans by the curb.

"Calm down. Mistakes happen you know. Maybe they over looked your place."

"For three weeks? Three freakin’ weeks? If this keeps up, I’m going to have to take the trash to the dump myself. This is getting ridiculous."

"Ok, I thought the first thing I asked you to do was calm down. There has to be a logical explanation for all of this. Did you do something to piss them off?"

A heavy thud could be heard, even through the phone, as Sara plopped down on the sofa and released a long exhale. This was getting annoying and a little weird.

"Look," Monica lowered her voice in hopes that Sara would do the same. "I’ll come over and we can do a little research to find a solution."

"Sure, we can go ask Jeeves. He usually knows all. Maybe he can tell me why my garbage men are snubbing me." Sara looked at the ceiling trying to regain her composure. "Hey, maybe he can tell me where my other earring is while he’s at it. Or, why the universe seems to be against me all the time."

"How about this instead. We could just call the Department of Sanitation and find out what the problem is. Like I said before, there has to be a logical explanation."

"Yeah, that might work too. Should I order pizza for the stake out."

"It’s not a stake out, but order the pizza anyway. I’m on my way Bat Girl! Or, in your case, Batty Girl."

"Real classy Monica."

"I do what I can. " Monica hung up the phone and grabbed her car keys.

Twenty minutes later, Monica parked her car in front of Sara’s house. She sat in the car a bit and then began laughing hysterically. She picked up the cell phone and called Sara.

"Sara, where’s your car?"

"In the garage. Why?"

"Do you ever park out front?"

"No, I always use the garage. Why, what’s up?"

"Come out front."

Sara looked out the window and saw Monica leaning on her car in front of the trash cans. "What’s this about?" She muttered under her breath as she headed outside and stood in front of the trash cans.

"What’s up? You’ve found evidence?"

"Sara, come stand next to me. I want to show you something."

"What? What is it? Why are you being all cloak and dagger?" Sara walked to the other side of the trash cans and stood next to Monica.

"I think I figured out why they’re not picking up your trash." Monica pointed to the trash cans. "I don’t think they agree with you."

Sara turned around and looked at the trash cans. There was nothing she could do except laugh. On the front of the three trash cans were bumper stickers declaring: