Morgan’s Dilemma by Jim Harrington

I entered Eddie’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill and noticed my friend Morgan in a hand waving discussion with a red-faced man in a tuxedo and string tie. As I approached, the man huffed past me and out the door.

I took my usual stool at the bar and nodded to the bartender. Morgan picked up his beer and joined me.

He pulled a crumpled paper out of his pocket. “Says here the guy that just left wants to declare war against the education system, limit fornication to Wednesdays and Fridays, and ban alcoholic beverages. Finally, to limit activities against his policies, he would require all residents to participate in a domestication orientation program.”

“Guy sounds like a whack-o,” I said.

“And his wife probably makes him sleep on the couch,” Morgan said with a smile and a wink.

“He didn’t appear to be too happy.”

“I told him to go jump in the swamp,” Morgan said and took a long swig of beer. “He might look pretty, but he ain’t no Boy Scout.” Morgan swiveled around to look at the guys playing pool. 

“Huh,” I replied.

 “I received this here letter a couple of days ago containing his plan and letting me know he’d be here today. I shoulda gone on vacation.”

“That bad?”

“He’s running for County Manager next year and wants me to campaign for him, him being some assistant-something-or-other-of-nothing-important and me being sheriff. Guess he thinks people might think better of him if he could throw a familiar name around.”

“You have lived here almost forever,” I said. “And since the sheriff is appointed by the County Manager. . . ”

Morgan raised his bottle, finished his beer, and oozed off his stool. 

“So, what are you gonna do?”

“It’s Friday,” Morgan replied with a big grin. “Martha’s waiting for me at home.”

Jim Harrington lives in Huntersville, NC, with his wife and two dogs. His stories have appeared in Short-Story.me, Ariel Chart, CommuterLit, Fewer Than 500, and others. More of his works can be found at https://jpharrington.blogspot.com. His series of editor interviews can be found at https://sixquestionsfor.blogspot.com.