
Molly’s Cut
It took years to find the hidden alley where Molly’s shop lurked.
She leered at me. “I sell one thing: time. One amount: forever.”
I swallowed. “How much?”
“Pay in kind, boy.” Her sapphire gaze wormed into mine. “Twenty years.”
I coughed. She scoffed. “Fool! It’s water from an infinite well. I deserve my cut.”
She gave me a deal: one hour worked meant two off my balance. But then food cost extra, plus other expenses. The minutes piled up like tinkling coins.
Five years later, I found I now owed twenty-two years.
And I finally understood Molly’s true cut.


You owe your soul to the company store
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That is definitely too deep a cut for anyone well written 🙂
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Too dire a price to pay. Writing slavery into such a poetic piece is admirable. Thank you.
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My favorite line…pay in kind, boy. I can see her shaking him down with just a look.
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I like the writing but hate the concept.
Tracey
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Dear David,
Molly’s cut is too deep. The price too high. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not a good deal at all. And an appalling outcome.
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Yes, it’s one of those deals that looks great at the beginning but then you find all the hidden conditions.
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Always read the fine print. That “sapphire gaze” tells him all he needs to know. Very good writing.
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