Cigars

Cigars

She asked me a favor—for a friend of hers. Who I don't know. He wanted cigars—from across the border—where they were less expensive—but the duty tax to bring 'em back was extremely high—unless you'd been across for at least 48 hours. So the trick? Since he wasn't going to stay over night—and I was—I would meet him on my way back to the border—get the cigars from him—and take them across like they were my purchase. Already I'm not liking this. If I did it once you know it'd become a regular request every time I go down to visit across that border. And I'd likely be saddled with this request for his tobacco addiction—forever. She'd never asked me for a favor like this before, others locally, yes, which I'd done for her—but this? No. Not this time I told her. Not for this one. Also I don't like playing tricks at the border—it's too precarious and I like to just cross telling them the truth and not lying or trying to pull something. I tried bringing a guitar across the border once without paying duty on it—I got busted! Still, I like to help out. I like to be a good guy—BUT—sometimes you can get screwed being a “good guy”. The very fact “they” are asking you means “they” don't think it's a bad idea. “They” are okay with YOU doing it. Fuck this! Why oh why do people think it's okay for you to put your skin in the game, but not them?!