Boredom

By Ed Merwede

Most people say, Money is the root of all evil.

I disagree.

I believe boredom is actually the root of most evilsmany times, the worst kind!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543471281

Ed Merwede

ED MERWEDE, also the author of “DONE!” started his career with Yale University Press. After eleven years as plant superintendent, he went on to manage three other printing companies before starting his own business with his wife, Ellen. That business, PrintAbility, operated for fourteen successful years, before the couple retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In the late 1990s, the author was diagnosed with syringomyelia, caused by a very severe crash while serving on a US Naval Air Station. Ed is listed as 100 percent disabled with the Veterans Affairs Office. His wife of thirty-five years, Ellen, died in November of 2014. He is now living in an assisted living facility on Cape Cod.

Book preview

Boredom

ED MERWEDE

Copyright © 2017 by ED MERWEDE.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017918652

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5434-7130-4

      Softcover      978-1-5434-7129-8

      eBook         978-1-5434-7128-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 12/19/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Most people say, "Money is the

root of all evil."

I disagree. I believe

boredom

is actually the root of

most evil!

Many times the worst kind!

This book is

dedicated to those

poor individuals who have no

life outside of work.

They dedicate themselves to being

the best at what they do—so intense

they are void of a social life.

Then bang! They want to be noticed.

The way they choose is the subject

of this book.

Chapter One

Bradley Thompson was a star in the business world as soon as he entered the building, looking for a job. He had an appointment at one of the leading financial investment firms, which was not easy to obtain.

Because of his intellect and superior attitude, the interview went extremely well. He left thinking they’d be foolish not to hire him. He was right; the offer came two days later. He was called in for a second interview, which, of course, he accepted.

The final story is, after being thoroughly examined, he was hired for a lower position than he thought. But no problem. In his mind, he would walk right over those in front of him. And so began the path of the most despised worker in the firm.

He was smart; there was no denying that. But he had no consideration for his fellow employees. He was not particularly liked, but he did have some saving graces. He was quick-witted and had an easy smile.

His climb up the ladder of success was always present on his mind. He was awarded Employee of the Year. That was not where or as high as he wanted to go. No, his sights were set on becoming partner, and he would settle for nothing less. Within the next year, he was asked to become a partner.

He knew his job, and the daily routine became boring. He had put so much time in his climb up the ladder he suddenly realized he had no friends. He was not invited to any parties or functions. All he had was his work, period. He had isolated himself from any outside contact in order to achieve his goal.

Well, he gained his goal, and now what? He needed something wild and exciting to fill his life. He couldn’t just sit in his luxury suite and twiddle his thumbs.

Ah, now came the problem of what to do to enhance his life. If he picked something crazy and absurd, it would never be expected of him. Let’s face it, everyone thought he was as dull as dishwater. He wasn’t sure he could pull it off, but what if he posed as a hit man? Of course, he had to become the highest hit man in the area. So he would shoot some lowlife that didn’t belong there anyway.

He would be dealing with the underworld, and who gave a shit whether they killed one another or not? Wow! He would have his excitement and would be getting rid of bad guys at the same time. The problem was to get known, respected, and invited into the Mafia. He was excited and was figuring out ways to get known and or get invited in.

Who he was turned out to be a problem. His company must never know. No one walking down the street would stop him and ask him to join the Mafia.

He decided to stop in a few bars on the Lower East Side and inquire about attaining a gun. Most didn’t want anything to do with that, but he moved on. He found this part of his plan exciting. He was happy with his new adventure because of the danger lurking around him. He decided to go for it in a big way. If they wouldn’t contact him, then he would contact them. It was a dangerous move, but he was motivated to make his life exciting.

He drove down to Mulberry Street in New York and picked out a place to start. He parked and approached the restaurant. There was a doorman twice the size of the door. He looked at the doorman square in the eye and said, Is this joint open for dinner or what?

The doorman did not speak English very well and said, You got reservation?

I have no reservations about anything. Can I enter?

Let me check.

While the bulk was checking, Bradley walked in. It was very dim, and it took a while for his eyes to adjust. He stepped forward and went straight to the bar. There was very little sound in the restaurant, and most eyes were upon him. He ordered a glass of red wine, and the bartender looked around before getting the nod to serve him. Bradley picked up his glass and took a sip. He spit it on the floor and said, How about good red wine? That shit could kill someone! As a matter of fact, bring me the bottle before you serve it, OK?

Now everyone’s eyes were on him. The bartender came back with a bottle of red wine. Bradley said, Sorry, maybe I came in the wrong restaurant.

The bartender said, Do you or do you not want this wine?

Bradley said, Would you serve that shit to the Don? Shit, I hope not for your sake. If he didn’t shoot you, I would for free.

Bradley turned to leave, when two men patted him down from both sides. He’s clean, came the remark. Then this dark figure at a corner table said, Bring him to me. As one of the men touched his arm, Bradley, a black belt in karate, swatted him three tables away. The other guard approached to punch him out. Bradley sidestepped, grabbed his assailant by the back, and sent him flying across the room. He then walked over to the man in the shadows, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

People were scrambling, getting to their feet and ready