14 Chapter 14: The Soda Tax (2/2)

Maria paused, then said it. ”A quarter.”

Paul fainted.

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”She's out of control!” Bill, the deli owner, shook his head.

Maria had announced the new soda tax in a big announcement. She sold it as a public health initiative. Statistics about diabetes and sugar. People weren't happy. Especially Bill, the deli owner.

”What's wrong with a soda tax. It'll go a long way in funding our schools and parks.” Charles defended Maria. He loved her.

”I don't know. A quarter? Per can? I guess it's ok that it's also a quarter for bottles and liters, but that's a bit...” Susan was skeptical. She did work in a deli, and it might hurt the business.

”It's crazy, I tell you! It's going to hurt business. And the soda companies won't stand for it!” Bill, the proud deli owner, was beside himself.

Charles knew when to shut his mouth. He was an employee after all. But the mood in the deli was a bit tense.

Fred shook his head. Politics had made its way into a deli. The knife was right. About consequences. And its name was soda tax.

Fred wasn't a political person, and he had no agenda when he ”helped” out Maria. He took those political compass quizzes a few times, and the results were different, every time. He had a few ideals, but he wasn't a fanatic, or anything. Besides, he liked what Maria did in office. The parks looked great.

”A man should know where he stands Fred.”

Fred jumped. Susan, who was next to him, got startled. ”The fuck, Fred!”

Fred ignored her. It had been years since he heard the knife.

”It doesn't matter what the position you take. And it doesn't matter how strongly you advocate for them. But you can't be wishy washy all the time, Fred.”

Fred felt a bit attacked. He had been complacent in life. The election ”tampering” was done on a whim. He realized now, that it had consequences. And its name was soda tax.

”Well, I helped her out once. Might as well help her out some more.”

Fred watched the TV with Maria going on about heart disease. Her proposal was going to be shot down in flames. Fred blinked, and that future was gone.

Consequence, thy name is soda tax.