The Coin

Greg was hot and airless, the tram was hot and airless, the day was hot and airless. Greg was slumped in his seat, his left leg stretched out in front of him his right resting on the seat in front. He threw his head back trying to get some breeze on his face from the open window but none was forthcoming. There were about 7 other people on the tram with Greg, all glistening with sweat all searching for the non-existent breath of fresh air. 

Greg heard the sound of change hit the floor and knew immediately it had fallen from his pocket. He was always losing things from the pockets of these shorts, usually change but sometimes tissues and once he’d nearly left his phone on a tram seat.  He looked down to see what had fallen and saw coins rolling to all parts of the tram. He picked up the ones directly under the seat and then made a move to collect the others. Two fellow passengers handed back the coins that had rolled towards them. Greg smiled and offered his thanks, then he moved towards the woman at the front of the tram where the 50kc coin sat.

She was stunning, a real beauty, she bent down and picked up the coin that was resting at the end of long, tanned legs clad in red wedge heels, She turned and looked at Greg with big, blue eyes, set above high cheekbones which lifted as she smiled at him showing her perfect, white teeth. Greg was almost blushing at her beauty as he approached her waiting for her to return the coin. She nodded, smiled again but then turned back to face the front of the tram, ignoring his outstretched hand, ignoring him.

‘Excuse me’ Greg said, his voice weak.

The woman flicked her long blonde hair from her perfect face and continued to ignore the strange man behind her.

‘Excuse me, can I have my coin back?’ Greg spoke again but again the woman sat stock still. He went round to face her, looking at this beautiful face. For a split second Greg wondered if she was flirting with him, if this was some way to get his attention, to create a ‘moment’ between them.

‘My coin?’ he mumbled. Again she didn’t even make eye contact.

Greg looked at her in a state of disbelief, he looked up the tram at the other passengers who had either looked away or were also looking on barely believing.

It was only 50kc, not a huge amount of money, but surely it was the principle. The slightest thought she was flirting had disappeared as the tram pulled up to the next stop and without a word the woman stood up and got off the tram the 50 crown coin still clenched in her fist.