Limited Power And The People That Exercise It

'Oh hay, that's okay, these will all go into one bag.'
'NO THEY WON'T. THESE WILL GO INTO ONE BAG. THESE WILL GO INTO ANOTHER BAG. THE BAGS ARE THIN. THEY WILL BREAK. I DON'T WANT YOU COMING BACK TO ME AND GIVING ME THAT RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR BROKEN TOMATO'
'Oh okay then... I guess... that could be fine.'
Waits until groceries are packed into two bags. Unpacks them. Packs groceries into one bag. Leaves. Accepts the responsibility of the broke tomato.

Real Life Encounters

I’m so busy, she said. You know those days when you have a list of things to do and you just don’t get around to doing them. I have to leave bit earlier today, have to pick my kid up at 4, that’s alright, I’m here enough, what’s fifteen minutes. Look, I’ll just put 4 on my timesheet, what’s the difference. Only fifteen minutes. Oh no – I eat my lunch at my desk! Far too busy. Look, she says, digging in her handbag. I just have to go out, quick cigarette. I might just up the street as well. Might as well. I’ve got to get a stationary order, post office. While I’m there I might as well – do you have a lighter, no, okay I think I know where mine – might as well do some shopping, pick up dinner. Only quick, got to go and get. Look, she says, picking up a cup with a fat teabag sunk in estuarine water. I haven’t even had time to finish my tea! Yeah, no, just nicked a teabag from the kitchenette. I’m not putting in five bucks towards the kitty, no way. Too tight to give you a measly teabag round here. Cigarette, lighter. I haven’t even had time to check my email. Shit, phone. She lets it ring, then dumps her handbag under her desk and puts a cigarette and lighter next to a bunch of fluoro-haired troll dolls with keychains winding out their anuses and takes the phone off the cradle and puts it to her ear. Hello. Speaking. Yeah. Yeah. Look, let me just, look I’ve been so busy, let me just put you on hold – hey, where’s that file, she asks, cradling the phone to her ear, hands free. Yep that’s the one. Flicks through and then spreads the file flat with one hand, holds a post it note between finger and thumb. Did you order this? No, I thought you were going to. I haven’t even had time to check my email. I thought you. Okay. Shit. You there? No look, I haven’t even had time to check my email, I’m surprised you didn’t get it, was ordered and. No, I’ve been that busy. I’ll make a phone call. But I don’t know when, I’m just so – hang on. She covers the mouthpiece with one hand and the file folds up and slips off the desk. Shit. Distracted, her hands float to her hair, patting down the grey blonde streaks. Her eyes line up with the other woman standing absentmindedly at her own desk across the partition and she says, Hey, before you go, don’t forget to show me. Yeah, that video. Yeah it’s supposed to be. Hi, you there? Sorry about that. Look, I’ll have to let you go. Yeh, got another call. Yeh, go-go-go. Yep. No I won’t be in this afternoon. 4. Yep. Work-related. Tell you what, email me. Yep. Will do. Okay. She hangs up, and drops her hands palm down, thick bracelets up her arms bang heavy on the prefab desk. Tell you what, talk! Anyway, ciggy time. I’ve earned it. Where did I put. You know I’ve been so busy. Yeah, look, tomorrow, if you can order. Yeah. You’re not in. Guess can wait until Monday. Oh well. We’re busy, just have to do. Yeah. Okay. Yeah.