Writer's Block #3

"Trace the journey of a five dollar bill through the lives of five different owners. What was exchanged during the transactions? How much (or how little) did the transaction mean to each of the people involved?"

On Tuesday, I took Papaw to a doctor's appointment. Afterwards, I took him by Sonic to get a hamburger. The total was $2.77 and Papaw paid with a five. The lady at the drive-thru took it and gave us the change. She stuffed the five in the money drawer and went about handing us our food. She went for a bathroom break and then a few cars later, a guy buying a couple of burger and fries combos paid with a $20. The fabulous five dollar bill then went into a overstuffed leather wallet with a few ones and took a ride down North Hills Street in the center console of a Jeep to a house to watch the olympics with its new owner. The guy ended up loosing a bet about whether or not Michael Phelps was going to win the 200m backstroke. $15 bucks down the drain..... The five ended up on the coffee table with its fellow bills until the party ended and they all got stuffed into the front pocket of some large guys' khaki shorts. After the olympic party, large guy went home and went to bed. He got up early to go cut his neighbor's grass. He put on the same pair of pants he wore the night before. His neighbor paid him with a 20 and a 10 and large guy gave him the infamous five. Neighborman then prepared for his weekly lunch meeting with his Senior Citizens group and made his way to Arby's, this week's meeting place. $7.50. The five again landed in the cash drawer of another fast food joint, his home sweet home.

If you think about it, money is probably covered in germs and bacteria. Think about how many hands have touched this one bill today. Look at the date on the bill and think about how many hands have touched it in those years. I think I'll take my five and go get some anti-bacterial gel.

Gross.