Luck Contagion
flash fiction | $5 curse
Dave just wanted his loan repaid, but listened sympathetically to Jason’s woes. “That’s some bad luck.”
“That’s right. And I’ve got it like a disease that keeps spreading.” Jason kept darting glances over his shoulder, as if expecting fate to sneak up on him with a crowbar.
“Let’s hope it’s not really contagious.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. That’s how bad my luck is!”
Dave got to the point. “Does that mean you’re not paying back my five bucks?”
“I’m saying if I do pay you back, the universe is gonna notice I finally did something right. And then it’s gonna correct the imbalance by dropping a piano on your head or something.”
“That’s not how luck works.”
“That’s how mine works. It leaks. It seeps. It spreads to whoever’s standing too close when I try to do something responsible.”
Dave folded his arms. “So you’re telling me if you pay back my five bucks it will curse me?”
Jason looked directly at Dave. “I’m telling you it’s risky—for you, for me, for the general public. Money moves around. Germs move around. Bad luck moves around.”
“So, if I forgive the loan, I won’t get your bad luck?”
“Too late for that. You’re already too close. You’re already catching the edges of it. You can feel it, can’t you?”
“I feel like I’m not getting my five dollars back.”
“Dude, you’re still not getting the picture. What’s it worth to not get the full extent of what I got?”
“You’re serious? This some kind of shakedown?”
“Call it insurance. Pay me twenty to keep my distance, and we’ll consider that five bucks settled. No bad luck transfer. Win-win.”
Dave rubbed his chin. He’d had a string of good days lately—promotion at work, lottery scratch-off win, new girlfriend. “Fine. Ten bucks. That’s it. And don’t come near me anymore.”
“It’s a bargain. You keep your good fortune. Everyone walks away a winner.”
“Except you.”
“I’m already a loser. I win by not getting any worse.”
Dave stared at Jason for a long moment, then reached into his wallet and slowly handed over a ten.
“You’re a good man.” Jason pocketed the money solemnly before walking away. “A smart one, too.”
Dave watched until he was half a block down the street before relaxing. Then he checked the sky for pianos.
by George Alger
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