Our Times

Contributor: Wayne Scheer

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Vera Watkins moved into an abandoned Hummer when the plant outsourced her job and the bank foreclosed on her house. Charlie Pierson interviewed her for the Star-Ledger's final issue.

After that, Charlie searched for a job, desperately trying to meet his house payments. He moved to a seedy, pay-by-the-week motel when his house was foreclosed on.

The only work either of them could find involved handing out menus for The Life Boat Café.When no other work appeared available, Wearing pirate costumes, complete with eye patch, they barked, "Fine fish to be had at the Life Boat, Matey." They avoided people they knew.

When no other work appeared available, Vera slit her wrists and Charlie shot himself in the head.

No newspaper was available to publish their obituaries.


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Wayne Scheer, a past contributor to WeirdYear, has published hundreds of stories, poems and essays. Four of them have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes and another for Best of the Net. He lives in Atlanta.
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