Free Will

 

Decisions have been hard for me. Should I choose “A” or “B”? What unconscious forces are pushing me? Some say everything is pre-ordained. Others say everything is accidental and random. So here I stand, trying to make a simple decision.

 

I could choose “A” and walk up to that woman with a baby in her arms. A handbag the size of Cleveland is living on her left side. The huge appendage probably contains more than a few diapers. I suspect there are changes in clothing and provisions for a week as she prepares to flee with her child following her being discovered to be an embezzler at the bank where she has worked slavishly for ten years. If I wander up to her she may disclose her perilous position and I would have to either aide her in her escape or call the authorities and obtain a massive award. I could be on the late news either way.

 

I could choose “B” and walk up to the young dude with biceps trying to break free of a tight T shirt. He is ridiculously muscled. He has curly blonde hair and his arms are loaded with tattoos, each with a fascinating story no doubt.  I suspect he might be a movie star; he does look familiar. I bet he would be happy to tell me a few stories about the tattoos and then he might admit he is a star, between films at the moment. Maybe I would join him for a quick flight to Hollywood and a tour of the studio.  I did do a little acting in high school and this might be my big break.

 

I’m torn. Either way, my life could be changed. I paused for a minute, glancing back and forth, then I quickly chose option “C”. A new cash register station opened up. By making no choice, I was now the first in line and I will leave the store a few minutes ahead of the others. I hope I don’t have an accident leaving the parking lot just because I was two minutes early. But I will hopefully be home in time to catch Wheel of Fortune, so I’m glad I didn’t pull the trigger earlier.