Address to Fellow Magistrates Upon My Retirement.

Friends. Looking back on my years as a magistrate, I can offer the following insight into human nature: honesty boxes are a gateway drug to a life of petty crime. The whole concept of the honesty box is an oxymoron;  a temptation to the weak. They create the conditions for dishonesty.

In a wonderful, imaginary world, humanity  would show basic decency and charitable intentions towards fellow citizens; we could all be trusted. Magistrates would rarely be required. And, in truth, many do strive towards this ideal. But  life is full of people taking more than their fair share of sweeties out of the communal jar.

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Prompt for May 2024

HOMEWORK for deadline Thursday midnight, 23.05.24.

TASK: ‘Escape’. Write 500 words or fewer about ‘escape’. Your story title isn’t included in the 500 words.

Homework to be in by midnight, Thursday 23rd May 2024.

Meeting at 1.30pm, Sunday 26.05.24, Discovery Room, 1st floor, Central library. Finish at 3.30pm.

Members: send all homework to Pat

Joiners: contact us through the Facebook Group

Even your best friend may not be fully frank

These two had been at school together and never roamed far beyond the town. They were content and deeply appreciated the familiarity and depth of one another’s friendship. It was unusual,  therefore, to watch them fizzing like a herd of ants imitating a headless chicken. I’m no eavesdropper but I couldn’t help overhearing…

            ‘You mean you nicked it?’

            ‘I did, yeah. You have a problem with that?’

‘Well, as a matter of fact, yes, I do have several problems with that. And the first is that you forgot to tell me about it.’

‘ Well, sorry about that, mate, but it’s something that’s been bothering me for a while. 30 years at least.  It’s an old score I had to settle. You should be glad I still care about honour and dignity.’

‘Go on then. How did you do it?’

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