Fiction

There is a moral dilemma in store for J.C. Michaels

Aman named Saunders, hungry from skipping lunch, stood in front of the food display salivating at the free samples resting on an unattended table. With nary a thought, he popped one into his mouth, consuming it so quickly he wasn’t even aware of the taste. And so, while still chewing, he took one more.

Saunders licked his lips with satisfaction, then glanced left and right. The aisle was empty.... He had finished the second without fully enjoying the contrast of flavors on top of the crispy chip. And so, without hesitation, he took one more.

With a smile of fulfillment, Saunders now examined the samples lined up on the tray, noting the different combination of skillfully arranged toppings. Perhaps, if he experienced all of the different options, he might purchase the ingredients necessary to make his own and take advantage of the special offer – twenty-percent off. And so, with a more deliberative reach, he took one more.

As Saunders counted and recounted the samples, he noticed one with a particularly enticing arrangement of garnish. He rotated his eyes side to side. Still, no one was around. Did it matter? What if someone were watching? Could he explain himself? Did he have to explain himself? Certainly, he could not be reproached for taking the first or second one, but what about the third, the fourth, the...?

Why should he be concerned? He could never be found guilty in a court of law for taking too many free samples, nor would anyone call him morally depraved. At most, he would be glared at with scorn. Besides, if someone did appear, they would have no idea how many he had already taken and certainly be unjustified in making assumptions about his consumption. Most importantly, he could feel himself leaning ever closer to making a purchase, which was the purpose of the free sample. And so, with his hand trembling ever so slightly, he took one more.