Serial - Part 1

A Story by DownTheDrain

“I don’t like him…” said Davis.

“Me neither.” added Jackson.

There was a long pause. The two men were working the night shift at Lewiston’s Grocery, along with an undocumented immigrant whom was presently mopping the floor whilst the men observed in disgust.

“You know what we could do… We could call the INS.”

“That’d be none-too-nice.”

They shared a laugh. The laugh died down. There was silence. Animosity returned.

“He’s a leach, is what he is.” Jackson spoke. “I mean, just look at ‘im over there…”

“Thinks he’s better’n us just ‘cause he works fer’ next to nuthin’.”

“I tell ya’, I’d be satisfied to work for nickels, too, if I didn’t have so much as a green card to my floor-moppin’ name… Scum.”

“Amen, friend. Amen.”

The immigrant looked over at them. They scowled. He returned to mopping.

“Just lookin’ at ‘is face ‘most makes me wanna’ hurl.” said Jackson

“I hear ya’, man. I hear ya’” Davis concurred

“You know, I still can’t believe Old Man Lewiston hired him. I mean, I know he’s idn’t ‘all there,’ so to speak, no more- but still.” Jackson shook his head. “Swear to me you’ll put me outta’ my misery before I ever get that far gone.”

“Well, that goes without sayin’”

They laughed despite the fact that they were serious. Sincerity made its return.

“You know, you hear about this nonsense on the television all the time, but ya’ never figure it’d happen in your own backyard.”

“I hear that, buddy.”

There was a long silence. The men couldn’t abide any longer. They had to do something.

“I can’t abide this any longer. We gotta’ do something.” stated Jackson.

“I’m with ya’ a hunderd ’n’ fifty percent.”

Davis had his back.

They stared at the foreigner from across the room.

“HEY, WADE!!!” Jackson called out to the “scum.”

The immigrant alertly turned to face the men.

“What part of Saskatchewan you say you were from?”

The man was uneasy. He paused. He answered.

“The west. Aboot a few hours from Alberta, eh.”

Davis and Jackson didn’t even bother to look serious. They went into hysterics. They practically fell over laughing.

“Aboot! He said ABOOT !”

“Alberta, EH !”

They cackled. Wade was embarrassed. He resolved to walk to another part of the store.

“What a fool!” said Jackson.

The men were thoroughly pleased with themselves as they went back to their work. Tears of laughter welled in their eyes. They scantily composed themselves while still in a euphoric state.

“ Can’t believe he fell ‘fer that one.”

“You’re tellin’ me.” added Davis.

“Stupid Canadians.”