It all started when he gave the guy a lift.
There he was, driving across country, with a long journey in front of him, in the dark, and slowing down for a hitch-hiker. The lanky guy looked as though he would appreciate a little human kindness. He pulled up and the guy got in.
The first two things that happened should have told him it was a mistake. He got no thanks for stopping and the guy’s pong was really awful! After finding out that the guy was heading for a town about an hour ahead, and convincing him to put the seatbelt on, they took off. The conversation wasn’t the best, and the guy was overly fond of swearing. He seemed to be dressed in rags, with no visible luggage or possessions. The driver was considering asking the other to get out, when the long haired lout put his feet up on the dashboard with his legs crossed. When asked to remove them he just laughed. The driver did an emergency stop. He said, “I’d like you to get out.”
The other just laughed. “No way’ man. I’m too comfortable. Just keep driving.”
“I’m asking nicely,” he replied, “I’d like you to get out.”
At this the ruffian pulled a large knife from his boot and grinned. “I don’t think so,” he said, waving the blade around.
Shaking his head, and whispering, “Here we go again,” the driver got out, walked around the car and opened the passenger door. He shouted, “Out!”
The guy didn’t move, just sat there grinning, playing with the knife.
Moving very quickly, the driver grabbed the guy’s long hair and dragged him out in one swift movement. The man fell out onto the ground beside the car, and lay still. The driver turned him over and found that the hoodlum had stabbed himself, up to the hilt, in the heart.
He couldn’t believe it! He stood on the deserted roadside, thinking.
It was all a matter of conservation, he thought. A conservation of time and energy. Would he dig a hole and bury him or put him in the boot? He looked down at the big loser, mumbling, “What to do?”
It would be hard work digging a hole big enough, it would certainly slow him down; time and energy; his energy. He was tired. On the other hand, he could put him in the boot for now and push on, that would mean the extra weight would reduce his fuel economy; again, time and energy, fossil fuel energy. His cash flow wasn’t the best at present…
He went to the boot and took out the shovel.
