A special thanks to @swissclive who initiated this short story contest with less than 300 words!

Chatting At Work

Walter liked his job. It didn't make him rich or had a particularly good reputation, but it was a safe job, everything followed strict rules and while at work he was around people a lot. Walter was a people's man. He liked them and he liked talking to them and they liked him, because he was a good natured person.

On his way, he often walked into Johnny. The two couldn't be further apart, but both came along with one another and Johnny too, was deep in his heart a good natured person and he too liked to talk to people. This time, when Walter and Johnny had their occasional chat, it wasn't any different.

"You know," said Walter, "basically, you really have a good life here, you know that, don't you?" On which Johnny looked at him with an asking face: "What do you mean? I don't see it."

"Well, Johnny," Walter replied, "you have a roof over your head and get three meals a day for free and what was the book again that you are reading?"

"Oh, I'm not reading right now, I'm watching 'The Sopranos'. A few years old, but the best show ever!"

"The Sopranos! You are truly blessed, Johnny, you even have a TV!" Of course, Walter knew Johnny had a TV and was watching The Sopranos, but he used it hyperbolically to make his point.

"What in the world are you missing? You really do have it all here."

On which Johnny gave him back: "My freedom, that's what I miss. Give me my freedom and I agree."

"But Johnny," said Walter who already made the first steps away from him, "you know it yourself: Murderers stay with us for life."

Words: 297

I hope you liked it!