CHANCE IS A FINE THING?

Would you decide your future by the toss of a coin?

Chance is a fine thing?

I bumped into Will outside the town hall.

‘Hi Al, I’m just back!’ Will exclaimed.

‘Great to see you Will, how was the North Sea this time?’  

‘Same as it was last time - cold and wet.’

‘Very witty Will, at least you’re making good money.’

‘Come on Al, we’ll have a couple in the ‘C**k and Bull.’

‘Now you’re talking Will - good to see you!’ I gave him a slightly embarrassing ‘manhug’.

A few minutes later we were sat in the comfy but faded corner seats of our old regular. We’d survived a few drunken adventures in here and Betty was still the no-nonsense queen of the ‘C**k’.

‘What will it be today for you two rascals?’

‘We’ll stick with two pints of Guinness, Betty.’

After a long swallow I turned to Will. ‘No joking now pal, how was it?’ Will pulled a face as if he had just stepped on dog s**t.

 ‘Christ, that bad.’

 ‘You know Al, six weeks offshore couped up, working all the hours, then six back at Liz’s beck and call. Anyway, sorry to be so negative. How are you doing?  I always think you’ve got it made - steady job and no wife to boss you about. Sounds like bliss to me.’

 ‘You know what they say, Will, about the grass being greener. To tell you the truth I’m really pissed off with life. I’ve come up with a plan.’

‘A cunning plan, perchance?’ We laughed. ‘You better not be suggesting a life swap Al.’

‘No bloody way Will, f*** the North sea - you know I get seasick on the pedalo’s at Blackpool. I need some excitement in my life. It’s just too predictable - same thing, same time - every bloody day.’

‘Yeah, I know what you mean Al but don’t we need some predictability to stop us cracking up.’

‘Maybe that’s safer Will, but who ever achieved anything on their hamster wheel. I’ve decided I’m going to go for it. You know how life is made up of choices - what about if we leave the choice to a toss of the coin. When you come to a decision point you toss the dice. The road goes left or right - toss the coin, heads you go left, tails go right.’

‘You can’t be serious, Al.’ Will scoffed.

‘I’m going to start right now Will - here we go, heads we have another pint.’

‘Heads it is - I’m going to like this! You have to toss too Will!’

Five heads later for me, five tails for Will.

‘I’m f***ing pissed Will - how’s that lemonade?’  ‘

‘F***  you!’

 

‘How about heading out for some fun now - you’d better drive Will.’

‘Ok Al, I’ll drive - you toss - once a tosser always a tosser, eh! Just remember Al, heads we go left, tails right.’

Four tails later we were back at the C**k and Bull. ‘

Sitting back in our still warm corner seat I turned to Will. ‘We better rethink this Will. Chance is a funny thing isn’t it. It’s not going to work out if we both toss the penny is it?

‘You’ll have to count me out Al, Penny will kill me if I turn up pissed.’ 

‘Ha, bl**dy ha, you chicken. No problems Will - you just go home and let your good wife plan your every move. Who needs a coin to toss when you have a wife.’’

Will laughed then replied, ‘when you think about it Al you’re letting the coin plan your every move.’

‘Yeah, but the whole point is, I’m not having to make the decision.’

‘Before you go Will let’s just try this - I’ll toss - if it comes up heads, I’ll ask Betty to come back to sleep with me tonight. Here goes - oh f***, its heads.’

‘Go on then Al, ask her.’

Will watched as I went to the bar, exchanged a few words with Betty who then slapped me hard across the face.

I went back massaging my jaw.

‘That went well Al!’

 ‘Actually I quite enjoyed it Will! She’s bloody strong - it’s all that pulling pints! She’ll say yes next time, once she’s had time to think about how irresistible I am.’

‘I’m heading off now Will for my big adventure. Are you sure you’re not up for it?’

‘No - my mind’s made up.  Good luck Al - but the thing I don’t understand is, when do you toss the coin?’

‘Ah - good point Will. I know what, if I can’t decide I can toss the coin to decide.’ I could see Will looking at me with a ‘you’re mad’ look.

I stepped outside, waved to Will, feeling a mixture of trepidation and excitement.

I stood for some time on the pavement, almost in a transcendental state. My great adventure, my Everest, my South Pole, was about to begin.  I took out my penny, and with my future full of the uncertainty of random chance I tossed it.  Heads it is! I took a step forward to cross the road to the Casino opposite.

Unfortunately I did not see the bus and the bus driver did not see me!

Now, some might have said that chance was indeed a fine thing!

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I do love a twist at the end Alan and this story had that. Could I live my life by a toss of a coin? No way, I am a control freak. I have to make my own decisions. I enjoyed the read, your characters were strong and believable. The ending, I didn't see coming. Well done Alan.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Ta Chris. The thing is that we're never in control, tossed this way and that by the storms of life!
I think I'll keep the penny in my pocket.
Cheers.
Alan

[Beccy]

Great story, and a wonderful twist at the end. Toss a coin to turn left or right, who knows where a different road may lead.

Beccy.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Beccy. I'm glad you enjoyed this bit of nonsense. Perhaps we don't literally toss a coin to decide but sometimes it feels like it.
HOPE ALL IS WELL.
Alan

[Samuel Dickens]

Well, at least he got in some quality male bonding and drank a few delicious Guinness before being squashed by a bus. I wonder--did his body face up or down? A good one, Alan.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Sam. Just a bit of fun here. I was intending to use it for some philosophical bollocks but I thought better of it
Excuse the language but I'm just back from a few pints and not a coin tossed.
Cheers.
Alan