It’s Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we ended on a macabre note. Mrs. Worthe wanted some collateral from Ben to back up his guarantee of silence. Since Ben does not have any money, Mrs. Worthe decided a good bit of collateral would be his right thumb. The idea of Ben losing his thumb was a cringe moment in the story. Let’s go back and see if Mrs. Worthe is going to follow through on her threat.
“My right thumb? You’re kidding right?”
“Well, Ben I don’t see that you have a choice. You don’t have any money or something of value to use to back up your word to remain silent.”
“Y-you can trust me Mrs. Worthe. There is no percentage in me talking to anyone about this. I get your point. I’ll be quiet honest.”
“You are right-handed aren’t you Ben?”
“Yes, Mrs. Worthe. Please, I’m begging you not to do this.”
“Let me see. If I take your right thumb then even holding a pen would be difficult. Wouldn’t it?”
“I-it w-would be impossible M-Mrs Worthe.”
“Oh look Ben. This room has all kinds of sharp tools. Here is a staple all wrapped in a sterile package. I’ll just bet a couple of swipes with this baby and that thumb would drop off.”
“M-Mrs. W-Worthe. W-what will it t-take to get you to stop.”
“Here is a pair of scissor looking things. I wonder what they use these for?”
“Mrs. Worthe. PLEASE.”
“Yes, Ben. What is it?”
“Isn’t there anything else I could give you to show good faith?”
“Let me think Ben. What do you value?”
“I have my car.”
“No that heap may be something you like but not for me.”
“Books, clothes, my class ring from high school.”
“Ah, your class ring. Where is that ring? I don’t see it on your finger.”
“Alexis has it. She is wearing it.”
“So you value the ring?”
“I do. It is something Alexis and I share.”
“And you value Alexis don’t you?”
“Y-yes I do.”
“You know Ben I think you and I can strike a deal.”

Wednesday Story Day again and last week we left poor Ben pleading with Mrs. Worthe not to give him a shot. She threatened him with the prospect of being given too much of the sedative and possibly severe disabilities as a result of the medication. The final kicker was her offer to take care of him. Buwahaha. Oh, wait. I had to laugh at that offer. Just imagine Mrs. Worthe taking care of Ben. Let’s join them back at the ER and see what Mrs. Worthe has in store.

“Mrs. Worthe do you really have to stick me?”
“Ben my boy. I don’t have to do anything. It is really up to you.”
“Up to me?”
“Yes. We can do this the easy way or the hard. It has to be your choice.”
“I take the easy. What do I have to do?”
“Well for starters you need to keep your mouth shut.”
“Okay, I can do that. What else?”
“Not so fast young man. You have given me your word not to talk, and then I find out you are blabbing to everyone in the place including calling for a priest.”
“I’m sorry. I just felt so very alone. I needed to reach out to someone.”
“Well looks to me like you’re reaching out to everyone.”
“Yes, you are right. Let’s just say I panicked.”
“I don’t particularly care for people who panic Ben.”
“How can I make it up to you?”
“Let me get back to you on that, Ben. For now, we need to take care of the present problem.”
“P-present problem?”
“Yes, Ben. You are a significant liability, and unfortunately, I don’t trust you to keep your word.”
“I promise I’ll keep quiet.”
“A promise is not enough.”
“What do you want then?”
“It’s not what I want Ben. It’s more a matter of what I need from you.”
“M-Mrs Worthe. W-what do you need.”
“A guarantee that you will not talk.”
“You have it.”
“What kind of collateral are you prepared to put up to back your guarantee?”
“Collateral? I don’t have any money. You know that.”
“Oh, Ben. I need something a little more important to you than money.”
“Okay tell me what it is and you can have it.”
“Your right thumb, Ben.”