The Pay It Forward Project

The final eviction notice. You have 30 days to vacate the premises repeatedly stuck in his head. If you had to look up the words frustrated, overwhelmed, and stressed in the dictionary, a picture of my face would be an understatement thought Ryan.

"I've been struggling for so long, wheres the silver lining."

Ripping up the notice, Ryan decided to find something, anything that would take his mind off of this nightmare. Maybe a quick walk to the store to clear my head a bit.

On his way back with an ice-cold beer on this cool fall day, Ryan noticed the piles of mail he hasn't grabbed in the past week. Not like I need to see more bills. But I mind as well make some room for the mailman.

Reaching for the mail he finds this intriguing little black book with three mechanical locks on it, a mini camera, and a letter attached to the back. The front reading, "Pay It Forward Project." Maybe someone is giving me a get-out-of-free jail card. Wishful thinking, but only one way to find out.

Opening the letter, it reads.

Dear Ryan

The world we live in is a cruel and relentless place. The smallest gesture from the heart can change a person's life forever. I've personally selected you to be apart of an experiment I'm working on. I call it "The Pay It Forward Project." Inside this book is a check with your name on it. Wondering the amount? Could be $100. Could be $100,000. Only one way to find out. As for the way to claim your prize. They're three locks on this notebook with only one key for all three. The eyes are the window to your soul. Follow your heart. Best of luck to you.

Sincerely, PFP

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"How I'm supposed to find this key to this book?"

Reading the letter again, in search of clues. Ryan saw a few hints that stood out.

"The eyes are the window to your soul." "Follow your heart."

"Maybe I have to wear this camera and do nice things for people."

"I hope this is a 100,000 check. but hell, even one-hundred would work in my favor right now."

Heading out the door with the little black book in hand, and the cam attached to his backpack, Ryan heads out the door to give a shot at opening this book. "Downtown should be a good start, it's full of people."

Walking down 5th ave, Ryan encounters a homeless man on the street with a sign that reads "been struggling for a while. any little thing helps."

"I can relate to his struggle. we practically in the same boat."

He then reaches into his pocket and hands the man five dollars. "Thank you, kind sir." The homeless man said with gratitude on his face. "Your welcome, keep your head up" Ryan replied. He then turns to the book. But to no avail, not a single lock opened. "Damn, this is a bit harder than I thought." "Gotta figure something else out."

Walking into his favorite Chinese spot, he then noticed a panhandler asking for money. "Well giving money doesn't seem to open this damn book, what about buying him food." It's worth a shot, he thought to himself. Keeping in mind he was down to his last few hundred dollars for the week. "Excuse me, sir. I can't offer you any money, but I can buy you something to eat if you'd like." That would be great! said the panhandler. "I would like four chicken wings and pork fried rice if you can." Sure thing, Ryan said. After paying for the food he then turns to the book again. still, not a single lock unlocked. Why the hell is this thing not working he thought to himself. This shouldn't be that hard. Exhausted from spending time on this, he decided to try again tomorrow.

A few weeks go by, and still, not a single lock opened no matter what he tried. I've spent so much money on other people's problems trying to open this damn book, I've wasting nothing but time and my own money. Frustrated, Ryan threw the book in the trunk of his car and decides to figure out a new means to get the money he needs for the rent. But no job is hiring him, and the last thing he wanted to do was resort to selling drugs for money. A few more weeks go by. Exhausted, and out of options, the day came for him to leave his apartment. With his items in storage, and 500 dollars left to his name Ryan hits the road to only god knows where. A million thoughts racing in his head.

"Where am I gonna go."

"How the hell do I get out of this situation."

"I don't have no friends, no family, I'm all alone."

"I guess ill go where ever the wind takes me."

He then puts his car in drive, and off to the unknown he heads.

Living out of his car for the past few weeks, he makes a quick stop to get more gas and a bite to eat. "gotta be careful with my money, I only have two hundred dollars left." On his way in, he spots a lady arguing at the front counter.

"I've just spent the last of my money to come to this gas station to use the atm and it's not working! How I'm supposed to get home from here."

Tears on her face, the gas station man explains that there's another station that should have a working atm a few miles from here.

"What part of I have no gas do you not understand? I used the last of it to get here."

Ryan suddenly intervenes.

"Excuse me Ms. If you like, I can drive you to the gas station to get money."

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you go out of your way for me."

"It's no problem at all said Ryan."

They both then head up the road to the next gas station.

"I'm Julie, whats your name?"

"Ryan."

"You're a lifesaver Ryan thank you so much."

Think nothing of it he said to her. on their way heading back Julie offers Ryan fifty dollars just for getting her out of the bind. "I can't take that from you, but I appreciate the offer. "You sure?" she says with a confused look on her face. "Who in their right mind would turn down fifty dollars?" "I just don't feel right taking it, I saw you were in trouble and decided to help, that's all."

"Well if you insist, thanks again."

Heading back into town, he encounters a man on the highway with yet another sign. "Haven't had a meal in a while anything helps thank you." thinking long and hard about sharing what he had left. He pulls over the car and decides to hand the man half of his sandwich.

'Thank you so much, young man. God, bless you.'

Sure thing he told the man then drove off. Ryan headed back to his normal parking spot for the night around the corner from where he uses to live. On this particular night, he happens to spot a neighbor that he occasionally talks to on the side of the street in a blanket. Ryan heads out of the car to find out what's wrong.

"Hey James, what you doing outside in the cold."

"Oh hey Ryan, I got evicted out of my apartment not too long ago and been on the streets since. My mother is driving from Chicago to pick me up. she should be here in the morning."

"I know what you're going thru. good thing your mom can bail you out of your jam. if you want, you can stay in my car with me for the night until your mom comes. I know it's freezing outside. you should at least be able to be warm until then."

"Are you sure? I don't want to inconvenience you and have you sleep out in your car."

"Truth be told James, I'm homeless too. but I do have a car with heat. It's no problem."

"Thanks, Ryan you don't know how much this means to me. I've been freezing my butt off for a while now. You're a godsend."

"It's cool man, just glad to help." After a short conversation about life and how funny things can be at times, both Ryan and James fall fast asleep.

Later that morning James's phone starts to ring.

Hello, where are you, hun?.

I'm in my friends' car mom, coming right now.

Hanging up the phone he then looks to Ryan. "Man, I wish there was a way I could repay you for looking out last night. I would offer you to come with me but I know my moms would bug out." Don't sweat it Rhyan says. ill find my way. "Well god bless you bro and stay safe." James then heads off to his mom's car and off they go.

"Well, I better get my day started then."

While driving down the highway, one of his tires caught a flat. Damn just my luck shouts Ryan, "luckily I have a spare in the trunk." Pulling over he then heads to the trunk to grab the jack, tire, and tools. Upon opening the trunk, a surprisingly shock look was on his face. In the corner of the trunk, he noticed the book that he tried to open before had all three locks unlocked.

"how? when? that's insane."

Thanking God for the miracle and potential blessing. He opens the book to find an envelope, and a word already written in it.

Dear Ryan

If you're reading this, that means you have successfully opened this book. But more importantly, I hope that you've opened your heart to all the possibilities paying it forward can not just for yourself, but others as well. Many people believe that just doing nice deeds is good enough, giving money, or helping someone with a motive behind the action should suffice. But the true reward comes from giving from your heart and expecting nothing in return. And you've done amazingly well. May you continue to be a blessing to this world and always pay it forward.

Sincerely, PFP

Excited to see what's inside the envelope, he opens it without further delay. Tears begin to roll down his eyes while starring at a $2o,000 check with his name on it as promised.