The Future Waits to be Known

So here we are, if I am questioned, my excuse is I am needing to shop for food. The street door is locked behind me and that means I cannot go back inside and, if I am honest, I don't really want to go back indoors right now.

My nearest food shop is to my left, 50 yards up the hill. Going right, down the hill, does not get me to any of the supermarkets but I've been indoors for long enough to get thoroughly housebound.

OK. Let us not put the challenge off any longer.

Unzip the jacket, reach for my hip pocket and get a single coin in my hand. Raise my left hand to my waist height, palm facing the ground. Without looking at the coin, lay it on the back of my left hand and decide: heads is uphill and proper shopping; tails is downhill and explore the idea of breaking the self-isolation demanded by the government.

I can reasonably expect to meet next to no one, seeing as most of us are obedient to the law. No one is going to be stood at a bus stop either, since most of the city's public transport has been stopped for the duration of this pandemic.

I don't really expect to be stopped by the police, they do not patrol these streets and any pedestrian I meet is likely to give me a wide berth and say nothing. I do hope to meet one or two who are out on the street for I really do want to talk to someone and see if they answer my 'excuse me' and, if they do stop to listen, tell them, 'Have a great day, don't let this virus spoil it.'

I wonder how many will smile and respond or frown and hurry away.

Well, here goes, lift my right hand away from my left hand and see if fate wants me to be obedient or if it dares me to a rebel?

Gordon Bennett! This has to be the most excited I've been since the pandemic hit and self-isolation was demanded from us.

Come on, look at the coin and go with what it shows me.

If you were me, what would you hope to see - heads or tails? Would you be glad to just do the shopping or are you ready to take up the dare to go and see if you can tell a complete stranger to 'have a great day'?