Odd’s Record

Two weeks ago I had the strangest dream and as my alarm beckoned me awake, I saw a cat’s paw swinging slow, then faster, and faster, until it pinned a mouse. It was unsettling and the irony is that I didn’t know it then, but that was the day my outlook on life would begin it’s at first slow turning until reaching terminal velocity today when I suddenly find myself with an unbelievably different perspective. But back to THAT morning… another mercilessly cold day in a city I’d grown to despise. I could already envision my breath wafting away in frozen plumes. I grudgingly arose to the same rut I had been trudging through for years.

As I walked, huddled as far down into my coat as I could get, I kept thinking about that rut. Why does life seem to treat everyone else easier and I’m left to struggle? It shouldn’t be this stressful, monotonous, unsatisfactory. What was so wrong with me that I got stuck here?

I grew up in a good neighborhood, but my parents were just kinda there. They’ve never understood or had the patience for me and I blame that in part on my three older sisters. Mom and Dad didn’t have the time or energy when I came along. My teachers all but ignored me and I had trouble making friends. I don’t know why... people don’t like me I guess. Heck, I don’t like me. Well, I did have one friend, for a while. His name was Blake. But life wouldn’t let me be happy for long.

One summer night before fifth grade we were playing video games at his house and got into a fight (over what I can’t remember). I left. Blake came after me but I hid behind bushes and wove my way through backyards. I didn’t give my friend another thought. He turned up missing the next day. After a long investigation and multiple searches the case went cold. All any of us could conclude was that Blake was probably dead. I couldn’t overcome my guilt and self loathing for losing my only friend. I became more of an outcast than before.

As soon as I graduated I saw no reason to stick around so I found the cheapest apartment I could, and got a job at Mickey’s flipping pancakes. It was a 24-hour joint that did pretty well especially after last call when people started hobbling home from the bars. I stuck it out for a couple miserable years. Then I heard that Danny’s On 6th was looking for help and it was more money. Managed to get my foot in the door there and eventually became a bartender. Been doing that for about three years now but I hate it and I’m spinning my wheels. I’m stuck in a hole of an apartment... nothing to show. No real accomplishments, no relationships to speak of, really. Lonely and barely making it.

Halfway through my shift he walked in and sat down at the far end of the bar. Hoodie, beanie, gray stubble. Quiet. Barely made eye contact as he ordered a beer. Odd. Silently nursed it for a long hour. Then he left.

Odd was back every night I worked for the next two weeks. Every time he’d do the same thing, say barely a word, then leave.

Next shift, he didn’t show and I heard someone walking up behind me on my trek home. After a couple blocks I turned to see who it was and ask if there’s some sort of problem. It was Odd.

“Cold night. There’s this place a block up, Mickey’s. Grab a coffee? I have an opportunity I think you’ll be interested in.”

“Thanks but—“

“Cody,” he cut me off. “How long are you going to wallow in your rut?”

I was speechless and sure I looked like an idiot with my jaw on the sidewalk. How did this guy know my name or anything about me? Odd was, well odd, but something about him would not allow me to walk away either. Against my better judgement I agreed and we walked to Mickey’s.

As we sat down I heard the sugary sweet voice of Marge call out “Cody! Hey Baby, haven’t seen you in a long minute!” She sauntered over to our table. Lovely Marge. Been there about 30 years. She could retire but she’s got to support her ailing husband. Until then she’ll warm the hearts of her patrons with that smile.

“Hey, Ma! Look at you, beautiful as ever! Can we get a couple cups of coffee?”

“You got it, Baby!” And she turned off to the kitchen. My smile slowly faded. I cleared my throat and awkwardly asked Odd what this was about.

Straight to the point, “Here’s the offer. You take this little black book and $20K in cash tonight. Follow the rules, and in two weeks I see you back here. You’ll walk away with another $20k, this time to use however you will.”

I blinked several times, before slowly asking “The catch?”

“You keep that notebook on you. Don’t open it; just keep it on you and don’t ask questions. Use that $20k on others... No simply handing cash out. Use it all in two weeks, and make $20k to use however you like”, he said between sips of coffee. I watched the steam rise from my own cup, thinking how soon I’d be watching the steam from my breath on my walk home.

I shook my head, trying to make sense of what sounded silly. Was this even real? “Wh- why…??”

“To give you a different perspective, perhaps?” came the quiet reply.

“Who are you?” I eyed him, uneasy.

“That’s not what’s important. What’s important is, do you remember Blake?”

All I could do was stare blankly. Odd tilted his head forward and raised his eyebrows... awaiting my response.

“This isn’t funny… and you’re sick”. I started to get up. Before I could take two steps, he said, “Not your fault what happened that night. And hey, Blake survived. He lucked into the same deal I’m making you, and referred me to you, actually. I think he feels as guilty about what happened years ago as you do, and he would like to make it up to you. I mean, his disappearance did make things worse for you, didn’t it?”

“Why didn’t he come home? How could he let us believe he was gone?!” I croaked in disbelief.

“Your guess is as good as mine, kid.” He presented a small, black notebook and a fat envelope and slid both across the table to me. “See you in two weeks”. With that, he winked and left.

I couldn’t sleep that night. Could Blake really be out there, alive and well? How am I going to use $20k in two weeks, without giving out cash? Does it really matter? Odd is right. I deserve it. I may have ditched Blake those years ago but if he didn’t follow me, MY life would probably look completely different and in a way he kinda owes me. His going missing is what made my life so much worse, I think. So if Blake worked with this guy and made some cash, why shouldn’t I? Now I just needed to figure out how to knock it out in as few transactions as I could, and my life might just turn around, finally.

There’s a homeless shelter a few blocks to the south. I ducked into a department store and spent a ton on the nicest shoes, clothes, coats and blankets, got a cab and dropped it at the shelter for them to distribute. Day two it was off to buy a couple pallets of dog and cat food for an animal shelter. Day five I ordered sports equipment and school supplies to be delivered to several nearby schools. Then I paid for fresh flowers to be delivered to Marge daily for the next week. And then it was whatever little thing I could find to do in-between, but it was taking too long. I was exhausted from trying to do this in between shifts. With two days to go, I still had near $4.5k to use. This was getting old, and I was out of ideas, with my own problems to worry about. I need a nicer apartment. Odd wouldn’t need to know. Heck, I could adopt an animal from that shelter and technically it would be for his sake, right? So that’s what I did. I went back to the shelter and got the most unfortunate cat I could find, a true goner, and used the rest of the cash for the first two months’ rent on a much nicer space. I named the cat Bill and rationalized that this was all for his benefit. Saving lives!

Today, day fourteen. I headed to Mickey’s after my shift and ready for the payoff. There was Odd, waiting for me inside. Before I could say anything he demanded the notebook.

I handed him the book and he opened it, slowly turning the pages. I didn’t get why… I never opened the thing because he told me not to. Peering across the table I couldn’t process what I was seeing. It was a record not only of all that I used the cash for, all the other chances I had missed to use it, but my very thoughts throughout the last two weeks. It even looked like my own handwriting. How was this possible? It was as if my actions, my intent, recorded everything, making a confession of all of it. Then he got to the last page. The page about my decision to spend the remaining chunk on “providing a home for old Bill”.

With a deep, low chuckle he said “Gotcha. You got tired and lazy. Even with $20K in motivation you couldn’t rise above yourself and change your perspective.”

“Hey, I can expla—“

“You know, the perfect way to use that money would have been to take a look at those close to you, like Marge. She’s struggling under her husband’s medical bills. You could have called the hospital and paid $20k towards them anonymously. Instead, you ran all over town thoughtlessly, selfishly, trying to rid yourself of the money for the sake of having more to yourself, and you didn’t even spend it all honestly.” He paused before adding, “Also, you owe me $20k”.

I gasped “Screw you guys! I want to talk to Blake!”

“Blake’s moved on to far better things. Turns out he learned a lot more from life in all its unfairness than you have. Good heart, that one. He was too clever for me. I’ve been watching you far longer than you realize, and it was worth it. If you can’t pay the $20k now, you WILL get pinned for using counterfeit money. You’ll go to prison but you won’t be stuck in the same rut anymore will you? Or work for me. There are more out there to recruit.” He slid a fresh, black book and an envelope with another $20K back to me as he commanded, “Find more. Make them the offer I made you. Every two weeks you report to me, and every soul that falls into your debt, will in turn be in your favor.”

I can’t explain it but, I could not deny that this… being… was capable of exactly what he threatened, and infinitely more. My blood chilled and my tiny mouse brain understood with absolute clarity that I was trapped in the grip of a creature beyond my comprehension. I knew it, with every horrified cell in my body.

“Better get to work.” As he sipped his coffee, there was a distinct red glint in his eye.