Headlines

As Mr. Higgins picks up the newspaper, he sees tomorrow’s headline, in big block letters across the top:

TORIES LOSE 18 SEATS

“Oh right,” he mumbles, “have to go vote later.”

The thought doesn’t cross his mind that his vote won’t make a difference. He’s just happy to have something to do.

The rest of the paper is more of the same. A robbery later on, an explosion in Manitoba, a new Google something-or-other. He doesn’t read the articles, just skims the headlines until he gets to the obituaries. He looks through them carefully, looking for his name.

No, not today.