The New Year Memo

The rain paused just after the noon hour. James jumped at the opportunity. He pulled the car into the car wash. There would be more time this afternoon with this task out of the way. He needed the extra time. Especially considering his window for completing all his goals for the day, was shrinking fast.

With this in mind, he begins cleaning the inside of his car. It isn’t as bad as it has been in the past. Therefore, it doesn’t take long. James does deliveries as a sidehustle, for a delivery app on the weekends. This is how he makes ends meet each month. It isn’t a glamorous life. However, it helps to pay the bills. And right now, that is becoming increasingly hard to do.

The New Year Memo

James grimaces as he thinks about the factory closing next month. It isn’t just his job that is being terminated. There are many employed by the factory and the news of the closure was disheartening. He finishes bagging up the remainder of the loose items for the trash bin. Then, while the rain is holding off, he rushes the bag to the trash bin.

It isn’t the shiny glint that catches his eye, so much as the oddness of the binding. It’s laying in the trash bin, near the top. James reaches in, and picks up the odd object. As he brings it out of the bin it is obvious that it is a small memo pad or journal of a sort. It has a leather binding. Additionally, the journal has a pen. As James examines the journal, he notices the journal unlocks, if the pen is removed.

James pulls the pen free. Then he opens the journal or memo pad, to see what is inside. Why would someone throw away a cool journal like this? As he leafs through the booklet he discovers nothing. There is nothing written inside the memo pad and every page is blank. That’s when James decides to keep it. He remembers that clearly. As plain as day.

Although the rain was still holding off, James moved quickly back to his car. Once inside he examines the odd memo pad, or journal, a little closer. Every page is blank. He estimates there are at least a hundred pages. All of them blank. Furthermore, there are no pockets on the inside flap. Nor are there any identifying names or initials. It was a ready to use memo pad as far as James could tell.

The Jest

The rain begins to fall again. It hammers hard on the roof of the car. He knows he has to get to work but decides to have some fun first. Besides, all the reports say keeping a journal is healthy. With this in mind, he uncaps the pen. He writes the date and his name. Then he writes six simple words in the journal. “Make a million dollars by tomorrow.” He smiles a little, actually he did feel better. He looks at his words and sighs before closing the journal.

James finishes the day as planned, and actually accomplishes every one of his goals. Furthermore, the following day, he becomes a millionaire.