Almost lost my sneakers

Author – Shoeless Sub

I was visiting a nearby town and at the end of the day checked in at a local hotel. I undressed in the room and took off my sneakers – a pair of Air Jordan 1 Mid. Now, they were pretty old, and I walked almost all day, so when I took them off my feet they smelled really bad. So I figured I’d want to leave them somewhere for a while so the smell wouldn’t spread in the room. I thought about leaving them right outside the room by the entrance but was afraid that the cleaning lady would think they are garbage and throw them away in the morning (it was getting late, and I was really tired). I ended up opening the window and putting them on the exterior windowsill. They were wide enough for my size 45 Jordans, so I placed them there and went to bed.

Well, as it turns out I should have considered the weather. Apparently it was really windy at night and rained heavily at some point, so when I woke up in the morning to retrieve my sneakers, they were gone. I looked down and realized they had dropped on the third floor terrace, in a puddle of water. (I was living on the 6th)

I tried to retrieve the shoes myself, so I hastily changed and headed to the third floor in my navy-blue crew socks. I met people in the hallway and they just stared at my socked feet, which made me feel really embarrassed. Once I reached the third floor, I realized that the massive terrace was a staff only work area that I had no access to. So I headed downstairs to the reception to ask for help. Now, I woke up pretty late, and many people were starting to check out, so by the time I reached the ground floor there was already a line there. Waiting in line meant more people staring at my feet, which made me feel even more humiliated.

When it was finally my turn, I had to explain to the receptionist what was going on. The guy at the reception tried really hard to not smile and promised he would send someone to retrieve my sneakers. I asked to go with them, but he said it rained outside, and I would certainly wet my feet since I was only wearing socks.

I waited in the lobby and had to enduring another twenty minutes of strangers’ staring, until finally a mechanic showed up, with my sneakers in hand. He informed me that because it rained last night, my shoes were soaked in rainwater. And although he did not directly say it, I knew he thought my they smelled really bad, because I could smell something rotten when he was holding them. Anyways, the Jordans were too wet so I couldn’t put them on, so I again had to walk barefoot back to the sixth floor, only this time with my shoes in hand. More people in the hallway and elevator looked at me, one guy even wanted to ask what was happening but stopped short of asking after he saw my embarrassed look.

I finally headed back to my room and started the hairdryer. It took me almost an hour to dry off my sneaks, even then they still smelled a bit. Lesson learned guys: if you want to store your shoes outdoors, always check the weather first!

(Orange) Socks for Christmas

Author – George

Andy wanted to have a Christmas party whilst his parents were spending the holiday season on a Caribbean cruise ship but his older brother Ted wouldn’t allow it. Andy decided to go visit his buddy Chris instead.
In his haste to get away Andy had taken the wrong bus, to makes things worse the driver refused let him off until it reached its next stop. Andy began talking to other passengers, Ben and Paul, who were heading home for Christmas. They’d already started celebrating the holiday early by drinking liquor, they offered the bottle to Andy but he politely refused explaining he wasn’t 21 until next month, although he knew he’d be drinking later, in the confines of his buddy’s apartment.
Ben told Andy the bus wouldn’t reach its next stop for another hour.
“Think I’ll have that drink after all.” He said realising he wasn’t going to see his buddy today.
As they held their impromptu bus party, Andy noticed Bens sneaks.
“Same shoes dude!” He said pointing to his Jordans.
“Same color too, British Khaki!” Replied Ben.
Paul lifted his foot showing he too had the exact same pair. Ben said his buddy always copies him. They all laughed and drank more liquor.
As the bus pulled into the station, Andy said goodbye to his new friends. His return bus wasn’t for two hours, he decided to get food, he was feeling light headed from the alcohol.
In a diner he ordered a burger with fries. He spoke with Chris and told him his location and explained he wasn’t gonna make it.
“Happy holidays!” Said Chris disappointingly as he hung up.
Andy messaged his brother, ‘Change of plan, see you tonight asshole!’
Eating his burger, Andy noticed a guy clearing tables wearing orange socks without any shoes. ‘Weird!’ He thought.
Walking back to the bus station, with plenty of time to kill, he entered a thrift store. For a small town it had plenty of donated sneakers.
At $100 a pair they were good value but he couldn’t afford any. It didn’t stop him trying on a pair of Red Nike Vapormax which were in excellent new condition.
Reaching the bus station a deputy stopped him.
“You been drinking?” He asked explaining he’d had a report of a young person stinking of alcohol in the diner.
The deputy asked to see his I.D. Andy stumbled his words as he denied being under age.
The Deputy said, “Looks like you’re coming with me!”
Entering a small jailhouse, Andy desperately wanted to call his brother, but his cell phone and sneakers were quickly confiscated. Bewildered at being locked inside a cell in his black crew socks he looked around and recognised the other sleeping occupants.
Andy sat on the bench, sandwiched between two pairs of white socked feet belonging to Ben and Paul, he promptly fell asleep.
Although he’d never met his cell mates before today, they all arrived on the same bus, were drunk, arrested and now asleep in the same cell after having their matching sneakers confiscated. They surprisingly had a lot in common.
All three woke up as the cell door opened. A guard gave them water, Paul thought he was in a drunk tank and asked how much it was going to cost for him to be released.
The guard laughed, “It’s not eastern Europe, we don’t have drunk tanks, we don’t demand money for your freedom!”
“That’s great to hear, so can we now leave?” Asked Ben.
“Not before you see the judge.” Said the guard.
As they drank their water, Ben explained they had been arrested after getting kicked off the bus for being drunk.
An hour later the door opened again.
“About time too, it’s Christmas eve, we need to get a bus outta here! Said Ben. The guard smiled as he produced some manacles, he’d heard the protests a thousand times before as he shackled the ankles of their socked feet.
Before lunchtime they’d all been sentenced to a week of community service.
“This is insane! Give us a break? It’s Christmas tomorrow! Please let us go?” He begged.
They were taken to a bunkhouse and were each given a pair of orange socks. “What’s these?” Asked Paul.
“An early Christmas present.” Said the Community service supervisor, laughing.
Ben demanded his sneakers.
“Don’t think we’ll be seeing our shoes anytime soon!” said Andy remembering the guy in the diner wearing only orange socks on his feet.
They explored the bunkhouse, it was pretty basic but the beds looked comfortable. In the kitchen, a sack of potatoes and pile of other vegetables lay on the counter top.
A short time later the shoeless guy from the diner arrived, he introduced himself as Ryan. He advised everyone to stay calm, obey the rules and instructions or they could be here for longer than a week.
“Everyone went home yesterday except me, I’m so pleased you’re here, I was worried I’d have to prepare all those vegetables myself!” He said.
He explained that a group of homeless guys from the nearby city would be here for Christmas Dinner tomorrow.
“Great! I’m going to spend Christmas peeling potatoes!” Said Andy. Ryan reminded him that he was here to do community service after all!
It had taken them the whole of Christmas morning to prepare dinner for the homeless. They cheerfully welcomed their guests into the bunkhouse. No point being miserable to those less fortunate, thought Paul.
Ben couldn’t help but notice some of these destitute guys had expensive sneakers on their feet.
“What’s with the kicks guys?” He said dishing up meals. They explained that the homeless charity had given them a $100 voucher each to spend in the local thrift store. Most had decided to get new shoes. Ben told a guy that he owned a pair exactly like his, “same color too,” he said.
“Why you not wearing them?” Asked the homeless guy.
Ben said local law enforcerment were taking special care of them.
“We hope Santa Claus will bring us some shoes.” Said Paul laughing.
“You have to be good boys first!” Said the homeless guy.
Everyone laughed except Andy, he had an uncomfortable feeling about the homeless guys new kicks. Especially as two other guys were wearing the same sneakers.
The visitors would be spending the night at the bunkhouse. Paul thought it was a nice gesture until he discovered they were getting kicked out and would be spending Christmas night at the jailhouse.
The jailhouse only had two cells, one was occupied, so the four guys would have to share the other. They all sat, bored, on the bench, arms crossed, legs stretched out in front of them displaying eight orange socked feet.
“Not how I had imagined Christmas to be!” Said Paul. Ben changed the subject and said it was good to see the homeless being treated well for the holiday.
“Yeah, sleeping in our beds and wearing our shoes!” Said Andy.
“Our shoes?” Said Ben, looking puzzled!
“Three guys on a bus wearing the same sneaks was a coincidence, but three homeless guys also wearing the exact same sneaks was fucking bizarre!” Exclaimed Andy.
He asked Ryan what shoes had he been wearing when he got arrested.
“Red Vapormax sneakers, size 10.” Answered Ryan.
Andy shook his head telling them he had visited the same thrift store and seen a red pair of Vapormax, size 10 but not three pairs of Jordans in the same distinct color!
“They would have received them after your visit.” Said Ben.
“Exactly! As soon as we were arrested, they took our shoes to that store.” Said Andy.
Ben still dismissed the idea, “Why would they sell our kicks!”
Andy couldn’t answer but it was the only logical reason why so many sneakers were in a small town thrift store.
Andy was convinced his new Jordans would be pounding the streets of the big city by some homeless person tomorrow. If only his asshole of a brother had let him have his party, he wouldn’t be locked up on Christmas day without his shoes. Ted would probably not stop laughing when he finds out.

The next day they were put to work in the community before returning to the bunkhouse. It needed a good clean, especially the bed sheets, after the homeless people had vacated.
Two new arrivals were at the bunkhouse. Andy was surprised.
They weren’t pleased as they stood wearing orange socks.
“What are both doing here?” Asked Andy to his brother Ted and best buddy Chris.
Ted said he had become concerned when his brother had failed to return home.
“I contacted Chris who said you had been here, so we both came looking for you!”
In their search for Andy, both Ted and Chris were arrested, accused of casing houses to steal Christmas presents.
“Always thought you were the Grinch!” Said Andy laughing.
Andy unapologetically said it wasn’t his fault they’d come looking for him.
“They took my cell phone and shoes for being drunk.” He said.
“We’ve been in jail for two days and now have to spend a week here because you got drunk!” Shouted Ted, very angrily.
Andy found it funny that his brother had spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Night locked up. It amused him to think they had all spent Christmas night together, only separated by a concrete block wall.
He smiled even more realising Ted would still be here on New Years Eve.
“I’m gonna have the best New year’s party and there is nothing you can do to stop me.” Said Andy.
“Mom and dad will go crazy!” Cried Ted begging his younger sibling not have a party.
Andy gave his buddy a sympathetic smile. Chris knew he would still be stuck here with Ted ringing in the New Year whilst wearing orange socks.
Andy smiled once more as he looked at his brothers shoeless feet,
“One more thing Ted! I sure do hope you where wearing your expensive Gucci shoes when you got arrested?”

Santa Paws

Author – lrsocks

Max was the first to enter the empty house. He found out sooner than later that it was not so empty after all. Santa was busy doing his thing in the living room. Max knew it was a fake Santa because he was wearing a pair of black Nike Air Max Goadome boots. Max thought it was the man of the house putting gifts under the tree. Santa did not notice Max until he heard him say, “Freeze Santa, drop the bag.” Santa dropped the bag. Max said, “Hand over the bag and your boots.” Santa did not hesitate. He unlaced his boots and slid them off his red sock feet with black heels and toes. He handed them over to Max without turning around. “Now the bag”, Max said. Santa reached down and picked up the bag and swung it at Max. Max was not expecting that. The bag knocked Max off balanced and he fell backwards.
Max looked up just in time to see the tree falling on top of him. Now he was struggling to get from under the tree. He only managed to get caught in the lights and tree decorations. He was trapped and could not get free. Santa just stood there until Max stopped moving. Max did not realize that the fake Santa was not the man of the house, but Santa Paws, the thief that was robbing houses. Santa Paws thought he had been caught by the owner of the house until Max asked for his boots.
Santa Paws scooped up his boots and put them back onto his feet. He then told Max that he was taking his black, blue and white Vans Knu Skool sneakers. Max felt his left sneaker being slipped from his white and blue Vans socked foot. After his right sneaker was slipped from his foot, Max wished he had not worn them so loose making it easy for them to be taken from his feet. Santa placed them in his bag with the other items he had taken.
Max felt more embarrassed as he felt his socks being slipped from his feet as well. He scrunched his toes trying to prevent them from being taken, but the guy was peeling them slowly from his fee t. Max felt them slide down from his ankles, over his heels, away from his arches, over the balls his feet and then away from his toes.
As Santa Paws threw them into his bag, Max wiggled and spread his toes in disbelief. Santa Paws did not bother to take anything else from Max. He just picked up the bag and made his way to the next room. Max was defeated or should he say de-shoed and de-socked. Max could do nothing but wait on his partners to come and set him free. Max thought he had gained himself a pair of Nike boots.
Luke was the next to enter the house through the back door. Luke busied himself raiding the refrigerator. That is why he did not see Santa sneaking up on him from behind. His last thought and action was him pulling the chicken from the refrigerator and putting it in his mouth before he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head. Before he blacked out and fell to the floor he turned to see what he thought was Santa waving at him. He would never see or feel Santa slipping his Nike SB Chron 2s from his feet followed by his black low cut Nike socks. Santa Paws threw them into his bag and moved on.
Logan was the last to enter the house from upstairs. He had already raided the upstairs and was headed down to the first floor to meet the others. What he did not know was that Santa Paws was waiting near the stairs for him. He had pulled the lights and garland from the stairs and held it tight so that Logan would trip. As he anticipated, Logan did not see the trap and tripped over it falling the rest of the way down the stairs landing in a heap at the bottom. Before he blacked out he watched Santa reach for his left DC Court Graffik sneaker. He slipped into unconsciousness as his sneaker was placed in the bag followed by his right one.
Santa Paws stopped because he thought he had heard a noise. He quickly removed Logan’s white no-show DC socks with black heels and toes from his feet. Santa Paws threw them into the bag and removed a pair of black Converse All-Stars from his bag and placed them next to Logan. He changed clothes with Logan and then slipped out the back door as the owner of the house came through the front door. The officers did not believe the three when they told them that they were not the Santa Paws thief because Logan was wearing the Santa suit and wearing a pair of the owners shoes.

Reasons to travel by train

Author – Beaten-up Work Boots

Once, I was heading back home after helping a friend move out. I took the train, and since it was late there weren’t many people onboard. There was a guy sprawled next to the window with his feet up on the seat in front of him. He was good-looking, wore sweatpants, a hoody, and a loose pair of gleaming white and red Jordan 4s. I wanted to get a closer look, so I sat in front of him on the aisle-side seat.

The guy was young, and his patchy short beard made him look even younger. He was constantly shuffling and on his phone, generally not minding the other passengers (me). It had been a while and was starting to get annoying, and since my stop was still far off, I decided to annoy him back, so I put my own beaten-up boots on the seat next to him. I could tell he noticed, but he either didn’t get the message or didn’t care. Finally, he put his phone away and said “nice boots”. I told him that they weren’t as nice as his shoes over there, but he still wouldn’t put them down. I was expecting him to get confrontational, so I was surprised when he asked me if my boots were cop’s boots? I didn’t know what he meant, so I explained to him that they were safety boots from my previous job. I still wear them because they’re molded to my feet and comfortable for working in. He then asked me if he could try them on. That was even more unexpected, but by now I liked where things were going, so I asked him what size he was. He said a 43, close enough, so I agreed.

He kicked both of his sneakers off. His socks were white and as clean as his shoes. Mine were definitely not as clean after humping boxes all day. As soon as I had untied and taken one of my boots off he shoved his foot right in, apparently not minding the warmth and dampness that had been baking my feet all day. He fumbled with the laces and tied a clumsy knot. When he was done he planted his foot firmly on the floor and looked pleased. I handed him my other boot and while he was struggling with that one, I decided that I was getting something out of this too, so I leaned down and grabbed his Jordans. Even though this wasn’t part of our agreement he didn’t seem to mind. They were a nice pair, probably brand new, I almost felt bad for stuffing my sweaty feet in. There was no way he was a 43 because it felt tighter, my toes were hurting. He, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. He had put his feet back up on the opposite seat, took a picture of himself, in my boots, and started texting. This took a while, so I passed the time supporting the weight of my feet on my toes and trying to crease his sneakers, something for him to remember me by. When he was done, he put his feet back down and asked to swap back. When he pulled his feet out of my boots I could see that the sole of his socks weren’t as white as when he had put them on. I was relieved to take his Jordans off and put my feet back in my still warm boots. Once he had put his sneakers back on, he got up, thanked me, went to the doors and stood there until they opened, getting off.

Snobby Private School

Author – Joe

I work in a convenience store – one side opens to a gas station on a busy road, where most of the customers come from, while the other opens onto a side road, which serves an expensive grammar school. Recess in school always sees a few boys wander in the store, wealthy spoilt asses who expect service and want to get back to their school before they are caught having left the premises.

One day I’ve just restocked the pringles – one of the popular items with the kids – when this snobby kid wanders over, and rudely instructs me that there are no crisps on the shelf. I tell him that there are, and he rudely repeats that the shelf is empty, and I should please restock it. I look him up and down, this rude kid in a suit, who’s half my age, and say what do you bet that you didn’t check properly. he tells me that he’ll bet me anything I want, and “please be so kind as to bring some more.” I ask him if he’ll bet one hundred quid , and he says “I’m so sorry, I don’t carry cash with me” eventually I suggest his shoes, and he impatiently agrees. Off we go to the shelf, which is well stocked, so of course i ask him for his shoes. he snottily refuses, giving me a look like why should I listen to you. a couple of his friends crowd round, some telling him that he needs to give them over, others saying not to. Seeing that it’s not happening, I put one arm behind his back and the other behind his knees, raise his knees and lower his back to the floor, and take an expensive pair of shoes off his feet. It’s actually a beautiful pair, solid black leather, no design, matt, not like some over shiny over decorated kid’s party shoes. Elegance defined. He’s wearing solid dark gray socks. I let him get to his feet. I thought his friends might take me on, but they seem like a bunch of cowards, and all slink away to the self check out counters. I start walking towards the back holding the shoes.

It was really cool to see this snotty snobby well dressed kid turn into a virtual crybaby, as he begs for his shoes. I tell him no way and eventually he offers me to pay for them “I thought you had no money on you” He tells me he can use his Dad’s credit card. I tell him to get me cash he says that it doesn’t work at the ATM – only to pay for stuff. He offers to let me charge him at the store, but that way the money won’t go to me. A co-worker tells him to come along with me to the store and buy me such a pair. eventually he sees he has no choice, and agrees. I tell him to follow me to my banged up van, he tells me he needs his shoes back. I say no way, you ain’t getting nothing back until you buy me what I want. After another whole performance, he gives in, and trails behind me. I walk him out on the gas station side, see him flinch as he walks over the hard concrete, carefully avoiding any wet patches, and I drive him to the shopping center, specially parking in the delivery area, behind the whole complex. he walks behind me, we must be quite a site me in my gas station uniform, and him in a tailored suit with his school logo, and his dark gray socks. walking through the delivery area. Eventually we get to the main part of the expensive shopping center, I force him to buy me new socks too, the same socks and shoes as he says. Quite nifty.
Poor kid, he eventually came back with me to the store, and I allowed to him to take his shoes.

After his experience, I think he won’t be all that rude and snotty anymore. anyway, I definitely enjoyed it, and I think he was quite degraded.

The PE Teacher

Author – Shoe Guy

Three year 13 students always had an excuse not to attend PE lessons.
Being the last period of the day, Jed the PE teacher knew they just sneaked off early. Lee, Ally and Jordan were 18 and uninterested in their last year at school.
Forgetting their kit again Jed had them empty their school bags to prove it. All he found were their school shoes and books. He asked why they managed to remember their sports shoes but not their kit as he looked at their feet. All three were wearing black Nike Air Max trainers. He ordered them to take them off as they were against school dress code. Lee smiled and said they were in PE so they were allowed, the other students laughed, much to Jeds annoyance. Again Jed told them to remove their trainers or they would get detention for a week. Lee took off his Nikes, leaving him stood in his white socks. His smile disappeared when Jed picked up their trainers and told them to go to his office afterwards to discuss their incorrect footwear. Ally looked pissed off, he knew they weren’t sneaking out early today.
Jed ordered everyone out onto the football pitch. The three shoeless lads grabbed their bags to retrieve their school shoes. Jed ordered them to leave their bags including their shoes in the locker room, they protested but Jed told them that standing shoeless on the grass would not hurt them, only their pride. In defeat they just threw their bags on a bench and stormed out in their socked feet.
Jed took the Nikes to his office, locking them inside, before joining the class on the pitch.
During the lesson, Lee, Ally and Jorden stood silently with embarrassment on the side of the pitch. They looked fed up, without any shoes they were going nowhere. Also attending the lesson, Freddie, the captain of the football team, commented to Jed how quiet the three shoeless boys were during the lesson. He said they should get their shoes taken every week. Jed replied saying he hoped next week they would be participating as they won’t be getting their trainers returned until they do. Freddie laughed.
Jed told Lee, Ally and Jorden to go straight to his office, they could collect their bags from the locker room afterwards. The three boys looked fed up even more so knowing they would have to walk through the school without any shoes on their feet.
Jed took his time getting showered and changed before heading back to his office. The three boys were embarrassed as they stood waiting in their socked feet as everyone stared as they passed by and also frustrated as they could see their unreachable trainers through the locked office door.
Eventually their PE teacher arrived, the three sock footed lads followed Jed into his office. He tried encouraging them to participate next week but they weren’t interested. He shook his head, picked up their trainers and locked them inside a cupboard. Their jaws dropped as he told them he would be keeping their Nikes until they attend his football lesson next week with their PE kit. They walked out of his office still in socked feet and told to collect their bags and put on their school shoes like they should have been wearing earlier.

The next day Jed arrived at his office to find the head teacher waiting. He’d received a complaint from Jordens parents. All three boys had their school shoes stolen from the locker room and because their trainers had been confiscated they had walked home in their socked feet. The head ordered Jed to investigate the theft and return the boys confiscated trainers.

Jed immediately went to the locker room, all the lockers were open except one. It was locked with a padlock it had ‘Freddie’ written on it from a Sharpie pen. Jed found his star football player and took him to the locker room were he removed the padlock. Inside the locker where three pairs of school shoes. Jed told Freddie how disappointed he was, especially as he knew the boys had nothing else to wear.
Freddie claimed it was just a bit of fun. Jed shouted at him and asked how he would like to spend the full day shoeless. Freddie blushed as he looked at his shoes, worried he may lose them but concerned he would lose any credibility amongst his peers having to walk around school in his socks.
Jed told him to go to his lessons whilst he decided on an appropriate punishment. Freddie quickly left relieved not to lose his shoes.
Jed summonsed the three boys to his office, they had old shoes on their feet. He apologised as he gave them their missing school shoes. He also gave them back their Nikes, he told them he still expected them to attend his next PE lesson with their football kit.

To be continued

It Sucked

Author – Bo

We went to a team roping, had to be there Friday night for the first round. Frist weekend roping our parents let Arron and me go to alone. We did ok but there were some guys there just a little better. After the roping, they had a barbeque so we all headed to it. I ran across the team that bet us and told them good job they took it as I was being a smart ass so I just went on and forgot about it I met this girl and we were talking when one of the guys from the other team that beat us walked up and pushed me and started yelling, I was not to talk to his girl friend I had no ideal she even knew him I just walked off he said I would pay. I told Arron my roping partner what happen so we went back to the trailer and went to bed we didn’t want to get in trouble and kicked out it was late anyways. We were one of the first teams to rope on Saturday morning. We woke up early and had breakfast I went to get ready and could only find my left boot. I hate being barefoot are walking around in socks outside hate the feel, Arron knew this so I thought for sure he was just messing around. He was already outside getting his horse ready so I got dressed all but my missing boot and hopped out to the horses. Arron asks why I was hopping around. I said your not funny give me my boot. He said I don’t have it. I didn’t believe him but he keeps saying he didn’t. The team that beat us last night rode by and just started laughing and said good luck. Arron said they must of stole it last night I didn’t believe him they would have had to came in the tailer and took it while we were a sleep. Arron said just get your horse ready we are up in 20 minutes. I was so mad I just hopped around and saddled my horse hard to do on one foot. We roped I only had one boot on don’t think anybody noticed if they did, they didn’t say anything. I went back to the trailer and started looking for my boot. A few minutes later one of the guys on the other team walked by and said something under his breath. I looked everywhere and no luck so I hopped back in the trailer and just sit down I was so pissed and embarrassed only having one boot. Arron came back to the trailer and tried to talk me in to just acting normal and come mess around till we roped again but I finally agreed to just ride around on my horse and the one time I had to get off I hopped we ended up doing well enough to have to stay till Sunday afternoon and took second place.

Orange Socks – pt 10

Author – Jman

Trent and Mitch, the two out-of-town police officers were finishing up their two weeks of community service. They were hoping to be wearing sandals on the beech but instead spent their vacation wearing orange socks.

Upon leaving town, they said that they would be back and put an end to their racket of arresting out of town people and sentencing them to community service. The sheriff said, “I would not do that. If you return to our town, we will watch your every move and if you make the slightest mistake, you will wear the orange socks again. Do you want to take that risk?” Trent and Mitch then boarded the bus and went back to their own town.

A few weeks later Scott, his deputy day Joe, the sheriff John and the judge Henry went up state for a fishing trip. They were in a small town and were stopped for speeding. Stopping them for speeding were Trent and Mitch. Since they were going over the speed limit by too many miles per hour, they were taken to jail.

When they got to jail their shoes were taken. They had on thick, heavy, grey socks. In stocking feet they were led before the judge. As they were walking to the courthouse, they saw two men in orange socks without shoes. One was washing windows and the other was sweeping the sidewalk. The four men had looks of horror on their faces and they realized what would be happening to them next.

The four appeared before the judge. Henry said to the judge, “Yes, we were speeding but we are officers and a judge, that brotherhood should be taken into consideration. The judge replied, “You of all people should have respect for the law. Two weeks community service.” The judge then had Trent and Mitch take them to get their orange socks that they would be wearing for the next two weeks.

Trent then said to the four, “While we did not spend those two weeks doing what we wanted. We were impressed with your community service program that we started doing it here. As you can see, it has been going well. We have been able to maintain our town for minimum costs.”

What goes around comes around.

To be continued.

Swapping Shoes in the thrift Store pt.2

Author – Shoeless Sub

(It’s been four years since I left that rainy west coast city and last week, I visited it for a few days. During my stay, I went to that thrift store where I lost my Janoskis (you can see that story here: https://wheresmysneaks.wordpress.com/2023/01/30/swapping-shoes-in-a-thrift-store/).

No one was in the store, and I found a pair of grey Adidas Match Play on the rack. I quickly slipped off my Nike Air Max 90s and tried them on. They fitted perfectly, so I wanted to take them. But rather than simply buying them, I decided to get playful. I decided to wear the Match Plays as if they were my shoes and hold my Air Max in hand, pretending they are store shoes that I’d like to check out.

As I placed the Air Max 90s on the counter, the cashier frowned, and his eyes were fixed on the sneakers. I didn’t know what was happening at first. Then I also stared at my shoes. Seeing the shiny khaki leather and spotless white fabric, I immediately realized what was wrong.

“Sh*t,” I thought, “My Nikes are too new to be thrift store shoes.”

It turned out he recognized my Air Maxes weren’t from the store. But instead of saying that, he stepped out of the cash register. Staring at my feet, he said, “Please take those off your feet. They look familiar to me and I need to inspect.”

F**k. I should’ve peeled off the price sticker on the insole.

“But you can’t force me to remove my shoes!” I tried to argue back.

“Look, we both know those aren’t yours but the store’s. If you insist, I can call the cops and show them the video recording.”

His words scared the sh*t out of me. I removed the Match Plays obediently and stood in my black socked feet. He saw the price sticker and grinned.

“Since you stole a pair of shoes from our store, I have reason to believe those Nikes were stolen, too, so I’ll confiscate them.”

“What?? But you can’t do this!! Those were mine!!” I cried out, “I wasn’t trying to steal … I was just trying to have some fun.” I explained to him the “game” I was trying to play. “Please,” I begged, “check the video recordings, you can see I entered the store wearing those!”

“We’re a thrift store and don’t have cameras.” He looked at me like a fool. “I only mentioned it to trick you.”

I knew I was screwed. “Please, I don’t have a spare pair, I can’t go shoeless in this city for four more days!” I begged.

“That’s none of my business. You also can’t buy any shoes from our store. In fact you need to leave the store right away. Thieves are put on our blacklist and you’re not allowed to come back.”

And with that, he escorted me out of the store, leaving me in my socked feet in the cold.

What happened next wasn’t as bad as I thought. I took a uber to a nearby Marshalls (I was too shy to take the bus with my socks) and ended up buying a really cheap pair of Levi’s sneakers, so at least I wasn’t shoeless for the next four days. When I entered the store the security guard threw looks at my bare feet but didn’t stop me. As I was going through the racks I saw a pair of really worn Nike Air Force 1 and got indignant: here’s someone who actually swapped their stinky old shoes for a new pair and wasn’t caught. I wasn’t even stealing and yet had my shoes confiscated.

Forced Accomplice

Author – Jake

I was bored out of my mind at a house party. My friends were wasted, and I was the DD and just hanging out on the couch upstairs. The party had died down a bit, but almost everyone was outside in the backyard. I heard someone come up the steps; I had seen him in one of my large lecture halls but didn’t know him. I think his name is Gage. He sat down across from me, was drunk, and started making small talk about college. He pulled out his phone and asked if I had a charger.

The house belonged to my best friend’s boyfriend, Jesse, and his three roommates. I leaned over the side of the couch, where I knew Jesse or one of his roommates typically had an iPhone charger. I couldn’t find anything. I figured I could grab one from Jesse’s room, but the door was locked. I tried his roommate Sam’s door, and it swung open. I took a few steps into Sam’s room to grab a phone charger, and the overhead lights turned on, which startled me. I whipped around to see Gage looking around in the doorway. He wasn’t drunk.

“Hey, Gage, if I find the cord, I’ll bring it to you. You probably shouldn’t be in here.”

“Keep your mouth shut, and I’ll be gone soon.”

“Dude, why are you in Sam’s room? I’m going to get his roommates.”

“No, you won’t. You’re going to stand here and help me grab what I want. I’ve watched this house for three weeks. Sam leaves every weekend to go stay at his girlfriend’s place. No one needs to know what I’m doing. I’ll be gone in twenty minutes.”

I started towards the door, and Gage puffed his chest out and swung. He clocked me right in the stomach. There was no way I was winning this fight, and no one outside would be able to hear me.

“Okay, bro, do whatever you want. I’m leaving.”

“Nah. I don’t trust that. Open his closet door and start showing me what’s got.”

“Dude, I’m not your accomplice in this!”

“You’ll be whatever I want you to be. Start with the Jordans.”

I opened the door and realized Sam had an incredible collection of shoes, jerseys, clothes, and fitted hats. I grabbed the first pair I saw, a pair of all-white Jordan 4s. I checked the tag, “Size 14”. I thought, “damn, I didn’t realize Sam was loaded and that he was my size.”

“Hand over the j’s!”

I handed Gage the shoes, and he kicked off his old Nike Roshe runs. He shoved his foot in Sam’s shoes.

“Hell yeah, they fit better than I thought they would! Grab a bag, keep going, and don’t miss out on those Kobe’s in back.”

I found two different duffels from when Sam played baseball during his freshman year. Gage pushed past me, muttering how slow I was going. Started shoving gear in the bags. Sam’s closet was getting emptier and emptier. Gage took so much gear: Uptempos, Air Forces, a trashed pair of Osiris Bronx, six Air Jordans, not including the white pair on his feet, and a few Air Max. He stacked 12 hats on each other and snatched all his old student-athlete gear, two watches, and even a cologne bottle. He then walked directly over to Sam’s desk and grabbed his weed and some cash from his desk.

Then it made sense—Gage must have known Sam dealt weed— which guaranteed he probably go to the cops when he came back and realized he’d been cleaned out. Five stuffed bags and an old backpack were sitting in the middle of the room.

Gage had made quick work of the room; it had only been about 15 minutes. He then looked at me and said, “Grab two of the bags and follow me.”

“F— no! I’m not getting caught with you!”

“You need your ass beat again, bro? Do not make me ask again.”

I quietly got up. I picked up two of the lightest bags and walked out. I started down the steps and checked around the corner. There were about ten people left outside, but no one paid attention. Gage followed out to the front of the house. He directed me to his truck, and I put the stuff in the back.

I walked away without saying anything. I heard the door shut, and the truck started and drove off.

I ran back upstairs. I turned off the lights in Sam’s closet. Shut the door, and in the process, kick something on the floor. Gage had left his Roshe Runs. I reach down and pick them up, and sure enough, the tag reads, “Size 14.”

I slipped my sandals off and put the shoes on. They were worn but super comfortable, and they are mine now. I walked back into Sam’s room, opened the closet, and saw that Gage had left probably about half of Sam’s kicks. In the back, I saw a beautiful pair of Jordan Aqua 8s.

“Damn…I always wanted a pair of those. Might as well…”

I put the Jordans and my sandals in the trunk of my car. I went in to get my friends. It was time to go. Three days later, I got a text from an unknown number. “This is Sam. Did you forget that I have a ring camera? Why the f— were you in my room with my girlfriend’s ex?”

Uh oh.