Life in second gear

‘Mr Jones?’ Carter thumped on the door. ‘Anyone home? Let’s try round the back.’

The two policemen negotiated a narrow alleyway emerging into an overgrown garden.

Surrounded by tall weeds, a man was lying on a sun lounger, a cap covering his face.

‘Mr Jones?’

‘Yeah?’

‘We’d like to ask you some questions.’

‘Whatever it is, it wasn’t me. I’m living life in second gear these days.’

‘Wouldn’t that be nice?’

‘I’d certainly recommend it.’

‘So, you’ve gone straight?’

‘Never straighter. Easy to keep a steady course in second gear.’

‘There’s a difference between a grifter and a drifter, Jones.’




A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.