A Moral Dilemma- A Moment in the Life of John

Week 9 Assignment – BLOG WRITING: a week of blog entries as a creative writing exercise in itself, developing existing piece as longer assignment if preferred.

He was standing in line, waiting to use the cashpoint- just outside the shopping centre. He was getting some money out to do some Christmas shopping. He had his card in his hand, ready to use.

John usually hated queuing but strangely, he didn’t feel nervous today. Eventually it was his turn, he stepped forward to put his card in but it wouldn’t go in. He then realised that the person before him hadn’t removed their card, and it was still on the menu screen. The ‘on screen balance’ button was staring at him. He couldn’t help himself.

He pressed the button. After a second, the screen came up. £17,040 CR. His eyes lit up but his heart sank, he knew he couldn’t, but he was so tempted. His hand, as if uncontrolled by his brain, pressed the ‘cash withdrawal’ button.

‘£50 won’t hurt them’ he said to himself.

He pocketed the money, took the card out and delivered it to lost and found in the shopping centre.

You can’t recycle glass here- A moment in the life of John

Week 9 Assignment – BLOG WRITING: a week of blog entries as a creative writing exercise in itself, developing existing piece as longer assignment if preferred.

He was making himself a cup of tea when there was a knock at the door. He answered and there was a binman stood at his doorstep.

“Hello, I’m issuing you with a fixed £80 fine for putting non-recyclable material in your recycling bin.”

“excuse me?”

“Yes sir, i found a jam jar, it also had traces of jam left in it.”

“Well whats wrong with that?” John said nervously, before realising he had just stood up to someone.

“Under the health and safety act 2004, glass is only to be recycled in glass recycling bins as it creates a risk for the waste disposers.”

At this point, he wished he had stood up against him once more, after all, he was never told about this new rule, but he didn’t. Instead, he said

“Oh, I’m sorry, I won’t do it again”

“That’s reassuring to know.”

“And how long have i got to pay the fine?”

“you have seven working days sir. failure to pay in this time will result in a doubling of the fine every week. Thank you for your time sir.”

“Thank you” John replied. He closed the door, and threw the ticket in the bin.

The Disabled Seat- A Moment in the Life of John.

Week 9 Assignment – BLOG WRITING: a week of blog entries as a creative writing exercise in itself, developing existing piece as longer assignment if preferred.

He was sat on the bus, on his way home from another monotonous day at the office. He used the park and ride for convenience. He was sat in the disabled seat.

The bus stopped and an elderly couple got on. The couple didn’t ask for the seat but giving it up is what’s expected- especially as they got on at the Hospital. He kept his eyes down and pretended they weren’t there. He had been on his feet all day, why should he have to give the seat up to someone 20 years his senior?

A woman sitting opposite needlessly involved herself,

“excuse me, could you give up your seat for this woman please?”

Several people were staring at him with disgusted eyes, but he kept his angled towards the floor. At the next stop, the driver asked him to get off the bus. John was too apprehensive to argue, so he stepped off.

He was left 2 miles from his car, and on his sore feet.