"Jimmy's Revenge" by Yashada Pillai
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"Jimmy's Revenge" by Yashada Pillai
The following story has been selected as a featured runner-up in our 2015 short story contest (Contest Theme - "The Self-Destructiveness of Vengeance and Hate")
"Jimmy's Revenge" by Yashada Pillai
“WHAT?! No, no no, just hold on a second, now! You can’t do this to me! I- ”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but we just can’t afford to keep you here. In any case, you’ll have to retire soon, and we already have a newcomer lined up and ready to fill in the position.”
“Look, Sam, I’ve worked here for over 40 years. I’ve practically dedicated my life to this bank! This is my home! You’re not so heartless as to kick me out of my own home!”
“Cut it out with the emotional blackmail! I like and respect you, so I’m offering you a decent severance package- ”
“I don’t want no damn severance package! I want to work!”
“I’m sorry, James, but this is a business, and we need fresh blood. So that’s final.”
“Sam- ”
“James, if you don’t leave, I’ll be forced to call security.”
“Call ‘em, then! I may be 61 but I’m still strong as an ox!”
“Please, go.”
“So, honey, had a good day?”
“Good day my foot! That idiot Sam fired me!”
“What? But why? You were such a dedicated employee!”
“He needs ‘fresh blood’, he says. So what? Old folks need a job just as much as the young folks do! But no, the little ones get top billing.”
“Jimmy, darling, it’s OK. You can always go get another job.”
“Screw that, Mary, I want this job back! I’ve been doing it since I was young, and I intend to keep doing so!”
“And I was thinking you learned your lesson long ago. You can’t always get the things you want. And who knows? This may be a blessing in disguise.”
“Sorry Mr. Smith, our positions have already been filled.”
“We can’t hire you at this point.”
“We’re looking for someone younger.”
“Why would you want to work when you’re so close to retiring?”
“How old did you say you were again?”
“It’s useless, Mary, no one want to hire an old man.”
“Just keep trying, Jimmy, you’ll get somewhere, I can feel it in my old bones!”
“I’m sorry I can’t be more positive, but it’s been over a month and we need more money!”
“I’m still working, aren’t I? Tailoring may not be the ideal job, but it’s enough for now.”
“Still no good Mary, maybe we should just- Mary? Mary?! Mary! Oh, no, honey, wake up!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but it seems that Mary has a brain tumor.”
“A tumor?”
“Yes. According to these scans, the size indicates she’s had it for a while. There should have been indications of this beforehand. When was the last time you took her to the doctor?”
“I tried when she started complaining of headaches, but Mary insisted she was fine, and just needed to lie down.”
“You never even tried?”
“Listen, Dr. Fields, I got fired a few months ago, and I don’t money or insurance! Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do anything about it!”
“I see. Well, in any case, Mary’s tumor is inoperable, so- ”
“Wait. So you can’t do anything either?”
“The tumor is too large for us to remove without causing permanent brain damage. If something happens, she won’t be Mary anymore. She’ll be nothing more than an empty shell.”
“Can’t you at least try?”
“I’m afraid we can’t even do that much. Given her age, the trauma of surgery may very well kill her first.”
“How much time has she got?”
“Less than a month.”
“C’mon, you’ve gotta do something, doc! She’s my wife, she’s only 60! Mary still has long years ahead of her to live life and be happy, please do something!”
“I have already said that I can’t, so let go of my shirt before I call security!”
“Jimmy, what are you doing here? I thought you had a job interview?”
“Oh Mary, honey, I thought I had lost you! The doctors said you had a tumor, and- ”
“What?”
“I’m so sorry, darling! He said you’ve only got a month left to live.”
“So . . . I’m going to die?”
“Yes,”
“Oh! Oh! Oh my God! Now what’ll I do?”
“Don’t worry, Mary! I’m going to take good care of you, right until that day comes. I won’t leave your side, not even for a minute!”
“But Jimmy, you need a job, and I can’t work as a tailor anymore- ”
“Forget the job! You’re more important than that.”
“And besides, if anything happened to you, what good would a job be?”
“Hello, Dr. Fields? Hi, this is James Smith, my wife was your patient? I was wondering if- ?”
“Hi, doc, it’s James Smith again. Do you think you could- ?”
“Hey Dr. Fields, it’s me again, I- ?”
“Listen, Mr. Smith! Your wife has an inoperable brain tumor, and there’s nothing more that I can do! Now stop calling me!”
“Jimmy, darling, I’m dying for some water. Could you get me a cup?”
“Certainly, dear,”
“Alright, Mary, here’s your cup.”
“Mary. Mary? Hey Mary, I’ve got your- Mary? Mary! Oh God, NO!”
“Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to say farewell to one of our own, Mary Jones Smith, beloved daughter, wife, and friend . . .”
“James, I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Sam? What are you doing here?”
“I came to pay my respects. I liked Mary, she was truly a wonderful- ”
“Don’t you dare say her name!”
“Woah, Jim, what’s wrong with you? Are you still mad because I fired you?”
“You’re darn right I am!”
“Dammit, Jim, it wasn’t personal! It was just business!”
“Hey Sammy, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Johnny?”
“Dr. Fields? What are you doing here?”
“You two know each other?”
“Wait, what’s going on here?”
“Forgive me, where are my manners? Jim, this is my younger brother, Dr. Johnathan Fields. Johnny, this is James- ”
“I know Jim, his wife was my patient.”
“Wait a minute! Sam, Dr. Fields is your brother?!”
“Surprised?”
“Actually, I’m angrier than before. Now I got a good reason to hate the both of ya!”
“That guy sure has some anger issues!”
“You could say that again! I let him go from the bank, and he made such a huge fuss! You’d think he’d be pleased, he could spend more time with his wife before she died! But no, he just had to work!”
“Sam, don’t you have enough decency that you could wait until he himself retired?”
“No, because he wouldn’t retire, he loves his work too much. And besides, we needed some change at the bank. Hiring old-timers isn’t exactly attractive for the right clientele. Now why does he hate you so much?”
“I told him Mary’s brain tumor was inoperable, and that even if I tried, the stress would be too much for her. He insisted I do something about it. The guy called me almost every single day after Mary was discharged, begging me for help. It was so annoying that I nearly changed my number!”
“Those rotten maggots! How dare they play God with our lives! I decide when I get to retire, and Mary should have decided whether she wanted the surgery or not! That lunkhead didn’t even meet with her, talk with her, get to know her! Darn disgusting pighead, saying he can’t do anything based on some stupid scans. And that idiot brother of his, getting rid of me so that he can kiss up to crazy rich customers! Whatever happened to lending a helping hand to people in need? Where’s the humanity in the world?!”
“No Mr. Smith, we cannot hire you, sorry.”
“You wanna job? At your age? Take my advice old man, you’ve got your golden years ahead of you, enjoy them while you still can!”
“Look Mr. Smith, I have tried to be reasonable, but your repeated calling is interruptive and unprofessional! I won’t hire you, no one will ever hire you, and that’s final!”
“Those dirty little . . . no, no, no. Words aren’t enough to express how much they ruined my life. No, they didn’t just ruin my life, they destroyed it! I have no money, no family, and nothing to live for! I’m all alone, and I’m gonna be homeless! And all because of those stupid Fields brothers! They’re going to pay for what they did to me!”
“Wouldja look at that, granddad! I still got it! I’m still a sharpshooter!”
“Alright, nobody move! If you value your lives, get down on the ground and stay down! If I hear so much as a wisp of breath, you’re dead!”
“Jim, what on Earth are you- ?”
“Sam, hands in the air, NOW!
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Smith- ”
“Be quiet, Johnny, and put your hands in the air!”
“Jim, what do you want from me?”
“I want you and your brother to pay for ruining my life!”
“What on Earth are you- ”
“You both took away my life! I was happy with the way things were, I never hurt anyone! Why couldn’t you two leave me in peace! Now I’ve got nothing left to live for, and it’s all your fault!”
“How did you even know I was gonna be here?”
“I followed you here from the doctor’s office!”
“You followed- are you serious? I think you need to get your head examined, just call my office to make an- ”
“SHUT UP!”
“You- you- you killed my brother! You freaking killed him!”
“And now, I’m gonna kill you too!”
“No- ”
“FREEZE! Don’t move! You’re completely surrounded, breathe and we shoot! Drop your weapon and put your hands in the air! NOW!”
“So long, cruel world. Mary darling, I’m coming to you.”
"Jimmy's Revenge" by Yashada Pillai
“WHAT?! No, no no, just hold on a second, now! You can’t do this to me! I- ”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but we just can’t afford to keep you here. In any case, you’ll have to retire soon, and we already have a newcomer lined up and ready to fill in the position.”
“Look, Sam, I’ve worked here for over 40 years. I’ve practically dedicated my life to this bank! This is my home! You’re not so heartless as to kick me out of my own home!”
“Cut it out with the emotional blackmail! I like and respect you, so I’m offering you a decent severance package- ”
“I don’t want no damn severance package! I want to work!”
“I’m sorry, James, but this is a business, and we need fresh blood. So that’s final.”
“Sam- ”
“James, if you don’t leave, I’ll be forced to call security.”
“Call ‘em, then! I may be 61 but I’m still strong as an ox!”
“Please, go.”
“So, honey, had a good day?”
“Good day my foot! That idiot Sam fired me!”
“What? But why? You were such a dedicated employee!”
“He needs ‘fresh blood’, he says. So what? Old folks need a job just as much as the young folks do! But no, the little ones get top billing.”
“Jimmy, darling, it’s OK. You can always go get another job.”
“Screw that, Mary, I want this job back! I’ve been doing it since I was young, and I intend to keep doing so!”
“And I was thinking you learned your lesson long ago. You can’t always get the things you want. And who knows? This may be a blessing in disguise.”
“Sorry Mr. Smith, our positions have already been filled.”
“We can’t hire you at this point.”
“We’re looking for someone younger.”
“Why would you want to work when you’re so close to retiring?”
“How old did you say you were again?”
“It’s useless, Mary, no one want to hire an old man.”
“Just keep trying, Jimmy, you’ll get somewhere, I can feel it in my old bones!”
“I’m sorry I can’t be more positive, but it’s been over a month and we need more money!”
“I’m still working, aren’t I? Tailoring may not be the ideal job, but it’s enough for now.”
“Still no good Mary, maybe we should just- Mary? Mary?! Mary! Oh, no, honey, wake up!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but it seems that Mary has a brain tumor.”
“A tumor?”
“Yes. According to these scans, the size indicates she’s had it for a while. There should have been indications of this beforehand. When was the last time you took her to the doctor?”
“I tried when she started complaining of headaches, but Mary insisted she was fine, and just needed to lie down.”
“You never even tried?”
“Listen, Dr. Fields, I got fired a few months ago, and I don’t money or insurance! Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do anything about it!”
“I see. Well, in any case, Mary’s tumor is inoperable, so- ”
“Wait. So you can’t do anything either?”
“The tumor is too large for us to remove without causing permanent brain damage. If something happens, she won’t be Mary anymore. She’ll be nothing more than an empty shell.”
“Can’t you at least try?”
“I’m afraid we can’t even do that much. Given her age, the trauma of surgery may very well kill her first.”
“How much time has she got?”
“Less than a month.”
“C’mon, you’ve gotta do something, doc! She’s my wife, she’s only 60! Mary still has long years ahead of her to live life and be happy, please do something!”
“I have already said that I can’t, so let go of my shirt before I call security!”
“Jimmy, what are you doing here? I thought you had a job interview?”
“Oh Mary, honey, I thought I had lost you! The doctors said you had a tumor, and- ”
“What?”
“I’m so sorry, darling! He said you’ve only got a month left to live.”
“So . . . I’m going to die?”
“Yes,”
“Oh! Oh! Oh my God! Now what’ll I do?”
“Don’t worry, Mary! I’m going to take good care of you, right until that day comes. I won’t leave your side, not even for a minute!”
“But Jimmy, you need a job, and I can’t work as a tailor anymore- ”
“Forget the job! You’re more important than that.”
“And besides, if anything happened to you, what good would a job be?”
“Hello, Dr. Fields? Hi, this is James Smith, my wife was your patient? I was wondering if- ?”
“Hi, doc, it’s James Smith again. Do you think you could- ?”
“Hey Dr. Fields, it’s me again, I- ?”
“Listen, Mr. Smith! Your wife has an inoperable brain tumor, and there’s nothing more that I can do! Now stop calling me!”
“Jimmy, darling, I’m dying for some water. Could you get me a cup?”
“Certainly, dear,”
“Alright, Mary, here’s your cup.”
“Mary. Mary? Hey Mary, I’ve got your- Mary? Mary! Oh God, NO!”
“Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to say farewell to one of our own, Mary Jones Smith, beloved daughter, wife, and friend . . .”
“James, I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Sam? What are you doing here?”
“I came to pay my respects. I liked Mary, she was truly a wonderful- ”
“Don’t you dare say her name!”
“Woah, Jim, what’s wrong with you? Are you still mad because I fired you?”
“You’re darn right I am!”
“Dammit, Jim, it wasn’t personal! It was just business!”
“Hey Sammy, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Johnny?”
“Dr. Fields? What are you doing here?”
“You two know each other?”
“Wait, what’s going on here?”
“Forgive me, where are my manners? Jim, this is my younger brother, Dr. Johnathan Fields. Johnny, this is James- ”
“I know Jim, his wife was my patient.”
“Wait a minute! Sam, Dr. Fields is your brother?!”
“Surprised?”
“Actually, I’m angrier than before. Now I got a good reason to hate the both of ya!”
“That guy sure has some anger issues!”
“You could say that again! I let him go from the bank, and he made such a huge fuss! You’d think he’d be pleased, he could spend more time with his wife before she died! But no, he just had to work!”
“Sam, don’t you have enough decency that you could wait until he himself retired?”
“No, because he wouldn’t retire, he loves his work too much. And besides, we needed some change at the bank. Hiring old-timers isn’t exactly attractive for the right clientele. Now why does he hate you so much?”
“I told him Mary’s brain tumor was inoperable, and that even if I tried, the stress would be too much for her. He insisted I do something about it. The guy called me almost every single day after Mary was discharged, begging me for help. It was so annoying that I nearly changed my number!”
“Those rotten maggots! How dare they play God with our lives! I decide when I get to retire, and Mary should have decided whether she wanted the surgery or not! That lunkhead didn’t even meet with her, talk with her, get to know her! Darn disgusting pighead, saying he can’t do anything based on some stupid scans. And that idiot brother of his, getting rid of me so that he can kiss up to crazy rich customers! Whatever happened to lending a helping hand to people in need? Where’s the humanity in the world?!”
“No Mr. Smith, we cannot hire you, sorry.”
“You wanna job? At your age? Take my advice old man, you’ve got your golden years ahead of you, enjoy them while you still can!”
“Look Mr. Smith, I have tried to be reasonable, but your repeated calling is interruptive and unprofessional! I won’t hire you, no one will ever hire you, and that’s final!”
“Those dirty little . . . no, no, no. Words aren’t enough to express how much they ruined my life. No, they didn’t just ruin my life, they destroyed it! I have no money, no family, and nothing to live for! I’m all alone, and I’m gonna be homeless! And all because of those stupid Fields brothers! They’re going to pay for what they did to me!”
“Wouldja look at that, granddad! I still got it! I’m still a sharpshooter!”
“Alright, nobody move! If you value your lives, get down on the ground and stay down! If I hear so much as a wisp of breath, you’re dead!”
“Jim, what on Earth are you- ?”
“Sam, hands in the air, NOW!
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Smith- ”
“Be quiet, Johnny, and put your hands in the air!”
“Jim, what do you want from me?”
“I want you and your brother to pay for ruining my life!”
“What on Earth are you- ”
“You both took away my life! I was happy with the way things were, I never hurt anyone! Why couldn’t you two leave me in peace! Now I’ve got nothing left to live for, and it’s all your fault!”
“How did you even know I was gonna be here?”
“I followed you here from the doctor’s office!”
“You followed- are you serious? I think you need to get your head examined, just call my office to make an- ”
“SHUT UP!”
“You- you- you killed my brother! You freaking killed him!”
“And now, I’m gonna kill you too!”
“No- ”
“FREEZE! Don’t move! You’re completely surrounded, breathe and we shoot! Drop your weapon and put your hands in the air! NOW!”
“So long, cruel world. Mary darling, I’m coming to you.”
