EPISODE 1 – FINDERS KEEPERS
An unassuming mature man discovers an opportunity for a comfortable retirement that has precarious consequences.
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Saving Up
IN the quiet suburban enclave where Troy spent the prime years of his life, retirement looms like a shadow. His once-promising career at the manufacturing company ends abruptly after 29 years, forcing him to navigate the turbulent waters of precarious employment.
Now in his early 60s, Troy grapples with the harsh reality of relying on government assistance if he dares to retire. His modest savings, a relic of a bygone era, threaten to vanish within five years, a paltry sum in the face of inflation’s relentless march. He spends long evenings shuttling passengers around town for income.
Maybe that’s the goal now; keep working until it seems there are only five years of life remaining. Until then, Troy must maintain his health to keep from losing his life savings on medical bills. So he begins shuffling around the block each morning.
Working Out
With each sunrise, Troy embarks on a ritualistic journey through the picturesque neighborhood. Lush evergreen trees intertwined with vibrant autumn leaves paint a canvas beneath clear blue skies, a sanctuary from the challenges that await him. His daily walks become a dance with the crisp breeze and undulating neighborhood hills, a ballet of rejuvenation.
The routine proves transformative. Troy’s resting heart rate drops, and his waistline becomes a testament to his newfound vigor. After a brisk 30-minute stroll, he returns home to blend a fruit smoothie, a vibrant concoction mirroring the kaleidoscope of colors in his revitalized life. Mornings bathed in a golden glow spur a positive mindset, fortifying him against the trials of the day.
His newfound routine, however, does not shield him from the economic turbulence. Forced out of his decades-long tenure, Troy adapts, chauffeuring people and food in his car during the nights. The nocturnal landscape becomes a tableau of choices, a silver lining to the storm clouds of uncertainty.
Revving Up
Amidst the trials of life, a potential romance blossoms. Cathy, a would-be romantic interest, sends flirtatious text messages, injecting a spark of warmth into Troy’s frugal existence.
Cathy “Hey handsome, are you finished sculpting your body for me?”
Troy “Yeah, after walking two miles today, I’m getting ready to clock in for deliveries.”
During one Thursday morning, an unusual spectacle draws Troy’s attention. A carry-on luggage bag sits isolated on the sidewalk as he passes it by. There is no sign of anyone within the windows or nearby cars. The adjacent front doors of homes are all closed.
“That’s really odd,” he says in an undertone while walking past it, figuring perhaps someone was in the process of bringing their luggage inside.
Finding Out
As he continues thinking about it, curiosity festers, so he circles the block to see if the bag is still there. He seizes the mysterious bag, an artifact of the unknown, determined to unravel its secrets, silently carrying it a distance of three homes, before pulling it on its squeaky wheels back to his apartment. Perhaps there’s some identification inside, he reasons.
In the privacy of his home, he dons a robe and confirms there’s no identification within the side pouches. The bag’s main compartment unveils a surreal reality.
Bundles of high-denomination cash, wrapped in paper bank bands, lay before him. The aroma of opulence mingles with government ink, a heady perfume of forbidden fruit. Yet, beneath the surface of apparent wealth lurks a malevolent trap.
The fourth wad explodes in a cascade of indelible, brightly colored dye, staining Troy and his newfound fortune. Panic grips him as he realizes the implications—stolen money, a trap set by unseen hands. Gasping for air, Troy’s sanctuary morphs into a battleground.
He wonders if there’s a news item about this much missing money. An internet search reveals that financial institutions sometimes embed stolen money with exploding dye packs to identify thieves. The thrust of heart palpitations syncopates with footsteps outdoors.
The next logical course of action is to search for recent bank heists. Oddly enough, there’s nothing in the news. “Why else would a bank boobytrap all this cash?” he wonders. Then, like a whistling teapot, another reason becomes obvious to him, just as he begins seeing shadowy figures flash by the windows.
“I didn’t steal anything—from the bank at least. This is bad,” he mutters.
“This is really bad.”
Crying Out
Troy hears an authoritative voice over an outside bullhorn. “I’m Lieutenant O’Reilly. I can be your best friend or worst nightmare today. There’s no place to run. You can make this easy on yourself by surrendering peacefully. Remove your shirt and step out the front door with your hands up.”
As authorities surround him, accusations of kidnapping and theft reverberate. A beleaguered Troy, clad in the stained robe of his misfortune, finds himself ensnared in a web of deception.
When Troy steps on the porch barefoot, red laser lights from sniper rifles speckle his chest.
“You’re doing fine. Now slowly turn around 360 degrees.” After confirming no visible weapons, Lieutenant O’Reilly commands, “Get on your knees. Now, tell me, is anyone else inside?”
“No, it’s just me.”
“Where’s the girl?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We saw you walk away with the ransom money. Where’s the girl?”
“I told you. I don’t know!”
The cold steel of handcuffs replaces the warmth of his morning robe, leading him on a nightmarish journey through the justice system’s labyrinth. Officers swarm, then enter and ransack his apartment, exiting with only the money as evidence.
Continue…
Return twice weekly for miniseries. Any relation to actual persons or events is coincidental. Login provides the most immersive experience. About 1900 total words. Audio may include sound effects that alter reading time.
