The Shoe Patrol

Author – Jman

The student union had several study rooms, lounges and a snack bar. It was a comfortable place to study and hang out with friends. Often students would take off their shoes and roam the student union in socked feet. The problem was that when students took off their shoes they would leave them on the floor in walkways where people could trip over them. There had been a few times where students had almost tripped over other students’ shoes. Also it became hard to vacuum the floor with all these shoes lying about on the floor. These concerns were raised to the managers of the student union.

In response to this lockers were placed in the student union where students could leave their shoes and walk around in their socks. A policy was made that shoes must be kept in lockers and not on the floor and that any shoes left unattended would be removed. Despite the warning and the policy shoes were still being left on the floor in areas where people could trip over them. Many of the students did not want to pay the fifty cents to rent a shoe locker.

Unattended shoes were still a big problem and something had to be done. The student union decided to hire two students who would be known as the shoe patrol. There job would be to go throughout the student union with a trash bag and if they found any unattended shoes left on the floor, they were to take the shoes and put them in their trash bags. At the end of their shift the collected shoes were to be taken to the shredder in the basement where the shoes would be shredded and the remains would be recycled.

Joe and Wendy were hired to be the shoe patrol.. Joe and Wendy believed in following rules and believed in zero tolerance for breaking the rules. Joe and Wendy started their rounds.

Meanwhile Jason was in one of the study rooms. Jason had a habit of always taking off his shoes, leaving them in a study room and roaming the student union in his socks. Today was no exception. Jason took of his brown oxford school shoes and set them aside. He got up to take a break and left his shoes unattended. On the way back he stopped in the lounge and began to watch a tv show. He did not think about his shoes being unattended. He had left them in study rooms before and nothing happened.

As Jason went back to the study room, he saw Joe in the distance placing his shoes into the trash bag. Jason tried to get back to the study room to save his shoes but it was too late. The shoes were already in the trash bag. Once the shoes are in the trash bag, they cannot be returned but had to be taken to the shredder. As Jason, in his white socks, came into the study room, Joe said, “Were these your shoes?” ‘Yes,” Jason replied.

Jason accepted the fact that his shoes were gone. Joe continued his rounds.

to be continued…

Jack on the Bus 2

Author – Jack

Jack’s trainers and phone where at the lost property office, much to his relief. His brothers white Nike Court Vision trainers where by the front door, Jack decided to wear them to go and collect his own trainers.
The lost property officer asked curiously as to why so many shoes were found on the bus, Jack wasn’t keen to admit the truth so said he and his mates were drunk and stupidly thought it would be fun to abandon them.
The guy said the fun would now cost £10 to retrieve them.
“I have to pay to get my shoes back?” Said Jack.
‘Get your mates to share the cost.’ Said the guy as he gave Jack a bag containing not only his shoes but the others too.
Jack was reluctant to take all the shoes but didn’t want to admit to lying.
His phone was dead, he would have to charge it at work.
He hurried home and got confronted by his younger brother for wearing his Nike Courts.
‘Just because you lost your own shoes doesn’t mean you can wear mine.’ Said his brother Nick.
Jack had no time to argue, he kicked off his brothers trainers and hurried up the stairs in his socks to get changed for work.
Jack emptied the bag of shoes onto his bedroom floor, he still felt guilty about taking them, his Air Force Ones were looking grubby, he noticed the drunk guys black loafers. He put them on, a snug fit with his white sport socks, he changed them for a pair of black ribbed socks, the shoes fitted perfectly he looked quite smart.
A busy teatime rush of workers grabbing a beer before heading home had ended, the other barstaff went home leaving Jack alone until closing time. His newly acquired loafers had been comfortable on his feet especially when he could slip in and out of them allowing his feet to cool from the AC.
Later that evening the place was empty until a young guy entered. As Jack poured his pint, the guy said he had lost his shoes the night before, it was the drunk guy from the bus. Then the guy remembered talking to Jack at the bus stop.
‘Did you see who took my shoes on the bus last night?’ He asked.
Jack’s face was bright red as looked at his feet. This hadn’t gone unnoticed by the guy who leaned over the bar and looked at Jack’s footwear.
‘You’re wearing my shoes!’
‘I can explain!’ Said Jack.
‘You stole the shoes off my feet, I’m calling the police!’
Jack told him to calm down as he tried to explain but the guy wasn’t listening he was too angry. The guy demanded his shoes and free beer or he would definitely call the police. Jack removed the loafers and passed them over the bar, then poured the guy another pint.
Jack was feeling pretty pissed off, it had cost him £10 to retrieve the shoes and now he would have to pay for this guys beer too! He still had no shoes on his feet and none of it was his fault.
After several pints, the guy left carrying the loafers leaving Jack shoeless. More customers arrived, as Jack stood serving behind the bar he could feel his socks sticking to the dirty beer stained floor.
Eventually Jack closed up and headed for the bus stop. Another bus journey home in his socked feet, fortunately wearing black socks made his shoeless feet less noticeable.
As the bus headed out of town Jack switched on his now fully charged phone. He reviewed the video from last night. The camera view from the bus floor showed several pairs of feet. Two pairs removed their trainers, then Jacks feet came into view, he watched uncomfortably as he took his own trainers off. After a while his and the other socked feet disappeared down the stairs of the bus followed by the teenagers. As he was about to stop the video the teenagers feet reappeared, he listened to their conversation.
‘Did you recognise the guy who took off the Air Force 1’s? It was Nicks older brother.’ Said the voice of the masked teen who Jack thought he knew last night.
Then Jack remembered his conversation with his brother earlier. How else would Nick have known about him losing his shoes. He was feeling pretty angry as he rode the bus home in his socked feet again but a smile appeared on his face. His brother and his mates had some explaining to do!

Orange Socks Part 13

Author – Jman

Ryan and Andy had gone back home and shared with their friend Jake how they got arrested in this small town for littering and how they were required to give up their shoes to a thrift store and had to do two weeks of community service with just bright orange socks on their feet. Jake listened intently. Jake did not like to wear shoes and often went places in just his socks. The idea of having two spend two weeks in just socks appealed to him.

Jake decided that he was going to visit that town, break the law and wear the orange socks. Jake went to the convenience store and bought a candy bar. He walked down the street and when he saw a police car, he threw the wrapper right on the ground right in front of the officer. This puzzled the officer because it almost seemed like Jake wanted to get caught. The officer came toward Jake to arrest him for littering. Unlike so many others, Jake put up no resistance as he was placed in the police car. Jake’s heart started to race as he thought about what was going to happen to him. He was well prepared to lose his shoes. As he sat in the back seat of the police car, he began to unlace his timberland boots and slipped them off of his feet exposing thick white socks.

When they arrived at the station, Jake gave his shoes to the officer without being asked. The officer was surprised. Most offenders refuse to take off their shoes until they are forced to comply. The officer took the shoes, put Jake in the holding sell and followed procedure and took the boots to the thrift store.

Jake was then taken to the courthouse. He loved the feel of his white socked feet against the pavement. He saw others in orange socks doing lawn work at the courthouse and loved the idea that he would soon be joining them. He then appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the charge of littering. He made no defense or excuse. He was sentenced to two weeks of community service and was put in the custody of the community service manager.

He was taken to the bunk house and given his pair of orange socks. Unlike so many others, he did not mind donning the bright orange socks. The community service manager was puzzled by Jake’s positive attitude. Jakes then said, “You break the Law, you wear the orange socks. I had this coming.”

Jake was assigned to work at the diner. He cleared the tables with a smile on his face and orange socks on his feet. The customers had never seen anyone with orange socks smile while they worked. During his two weeks Jake also pumped gas, swept streets, painted fences and did yard work wearing the orange socks. Jake really enjoyed the experience of being able to help people and to wear just socks on his feet, two things that he loved to do.

When Jake’s two weeks of service were finished, Jake went around the town wishing everyone the best. No one has ever done that before. Jake then took one last look at his boots on the shelf in the thrift store and left town wondering if he would come back again to break the Law so he could once again were the orange socks.

Summer adventure

Author – Tomi

It happened quite a few years ago, when my friend and I collected the tent and kettle on Friday and went camping to the nearby lake. There were two of us, the others joined us the next day. It was summer, you didn’t need much warm clothes, swimming trunks and a towel at most. We cooked a good Hungarian goulash soup, everyone contributed something, and it was a real joint lunch. In the evening, the others left again, two of us remained, but we didn’t plan to leave until the next afternoon. We agreed that before going home, we would also stop for ice cream, so we left the relatively clean t-shirts and shorts outside as we started to pack up the tent. I saw my friend’s Scott t-shirt and Nike shorts next to his blue CAT shoes, in which he had already prepared his socks. I wanted more and more to put on his shoes before we left, because unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to do so until now, although it’s true that I put on his slippers several times, there were times when he used mine too. We had one size, but that blue CAT, he always looked so hot on it, and I never dared to ask his to lend it to me.
– Come, before we take the tent apart, let’s pack everything in front of the tent – he told me and brought water to yesterday’s embers. I’m going right now! – I said, only I had already started to get dressed. If not now, then never. I thought. My boyfriend is busy now. I took his socks out of his shoes, that’s what he was wearing when we came. But I didn’t put it aside, I automatically started to put it on my legs, I didn’t even understand why, but when I looked at his prepared clothes, my heart started beating faster and I already put on his t-shirt, took off my own swimming trunks, and changed them to his Nike shorts , and finally his long-desired shoes. I stood there in the cramped tent with a heart pounding that I had never felt before. -Well you? He poked his head into the tent. – I changed my clothes. I said in a hushed voice. -I do not believe it. – I saw that the shock was on his face, which was already starting to turn into anger. “And what should I wear now?” That’s when he thought he had to go home half-naked in his swimming trunks. “There’s mine,” I said with a smile. I wanted to tell you, but then you probably wouldn’t have changed clothes with me. Please, let’s go for ice cream like this, I looked at him with innocent eyes. But also my socks? he said smiling and took out my t-shirt. “I can’t believe it!” he grumbled as he put on my t-shirt and shorts. He didn’t claim my shoes, he put on his own slippers. I admit, we didn’t change it back immediately after the ice cream, only after a few days, but whenever I could I even put on his clothes and socks at home, and even played with his shoes in the evenings, making sure that they were clean… 🙂

The Vault. Pt2

Author – Jimbo

We had been locked inside the Vault for hours when Charlie finally returned, his brother Bobby threatened to beat him up again. This made Charlie reluctant to unlock the door, more out of fear than anything else. I desperately wanted to leave and tried to reassure him he would not come to any harm but Charlie did not trust his older sibling or his mates.
Charlie said he would get his other brother Chris to come and unlock the door and protect him at the same time. Bobby said their eldest brother would be at work. We weren’t going anywhere soon. I was hungry and cold, especially my feet, I pleaded with Charlie to at least give us our trainers back but he refused.
‘I want my shoes!’ Demanded Jeff.
Charlie ignored him before leaving us again. We were all pretty pissed off, if Chris does come and release us then Charlie would be safe, their older sibling was 25 and he could easily defend himself from Bobby, Jeff and me.
Having been locked up and shoeless all afternoon it was a relief to hear Chris’s voice coming from the stairs.
‘There had better be a good reason why you’ve brought me inside this abandoned building, I’m in a hurry. I am supposed to be meeting a girl from the office right now.’
He and Charlie appeared. Chris stared momentarily before bursting out laughing. He assumed we were trapped inside the vault and asked if we had called the fire brigade to rescue us.
‘We ain’t trapped, Charlie has the key, he says he’s too frightened to open the door. He knows I’m gonna beat the shit out of him when he does.’ Said Bobby.
Chris laughed even more, then he looked at our feet.
‘Where are your shoes?’ He asked.
Chris was doubled up with laughter, tears streaming down his face as I explained.
‘You’re telling me that a 13 year kid locked up three 17 year olds and took away your shoes aswell? You sad bunch of losers!’
Bobby demanded to be let out. ‘Just open the fucking door and give us our shoes.’ He said with embarrassment.
‘If I didn’t need to be somewhere else right now, I’d have fun with you three, you wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.’ Replied Chris.
He looked at his watch before telling Charlie to fetch the key and our trainers. The youngest sibling left leaving Chris staring at Bobby through the bars with a big grin on his face.
‘You can’t blame Charlie for being frightened, after all if he had me locked up I would want to beat the living daylights out of him too.’ He said looking at his watch again.
‘I need to meet this girl, I’m already late. I’ll open the door, demand you don’t lay a finger on him just to cover myself if dad finds out. Then once I’ve gone you can beat the crap out of him.’
Bobby began to smile just as Charlie returned carrying our trainers. He dropped them on the floor and nervously gave the key to Chris. I could feel a sense of relief, my shoes were just feet away and the door was opening.
We moved towards the open door, Chris stepped forward spreading his arms to create a barrier, winked before telling us not to harm Charlie. We pretended to agree, as Chris turned to face Charlie the door was slammed in his face. Chris had inadvertently stepped inside the vault to make his fake gesture of protection and Charlie had seized upon it.
‘What the fuck!’ Shouted Chris.
‘I overheard your conversation, you weren’t going to stay and protect me!’ Screamed Charlie at his eldest brother.
‘Open the fucking door!’ Demanded Chris angrily.
I now knew where Bobby got his temper from as I watched Chris scream at Charlie.
Chris got out his phone, Charlie smiled knowing it was useless down here in the vault.
Chris was still in his office attire, Charlie looked at his brothers feet, he was wearing a pair of black Chelsea boots.

My Cousin Rick

Author – Montana

This happened back in the 7th grade my cousin moved in he was in the 8th and I thought this would be great like having a big brother and it was we got along great. The day before school started Mom took us clothes shopping for school new shirts jeans shorts and new shoes. Which was great I had outgrown my shoes Mom told us both to pick any shoes we wanted I picked a pair of Nike ACG Air Terra Antarktik GTX. Ricky my cousin got a pair of Jordan 1 High OG He had picked his first. My dad was so pissed over the cost but my mom said Ricky deserved something nice for once and she wasn’t leaving me out. I couldn’t wait for school the next day that night I tossed my old shoes they were so trashed and hurt my feet. I laid my new clothes out and went to bed. The next morning, I showered got dressed put on my socks my left high top reached for my right one and it was gone I looked everywhere are dog like to get stuff and chew on them. I asked Ricky if he knew where my shoe was, He said no and started looking for it. I asked my mom she started looking my dad said you better find it or learn to hop and he and Mom got into an argument over why she spent that much money on shoes again and how it was a bad idea. We kept looking even Ricky was helping talking about how much this sucked. My Dad came into my room and said we have to go, get in the car I’m not going to be late for work. We got in the car Ricky said we will find it after school. On the way I keep looking down at my Nike ACG Air Terra Antarktik GTX on my left foot and my white soak on my right foot begging Dad not to make me go to school. We pulled up in front of the school dad said go, we got out I walked in missing my shoe. Ricky keeps saying it will be fine just tell everyone your foot is hurt the teachers believed me don’t think anybody else did. The first part of the day sucked with all the comments and questions. We got home and I started looking everywhere dad got home and asked if I found my shoe. I said no he said wear one or find it. I had to go for six weeks not kidding it became just normal. Ricky’s mom and dad got their act together so he went back to live with them. I did not see him until the first week of March this year at a family reunion and it reminded me of what happened he was talking and He said you know I took your shoe and tossed in a clothes collection box because I wanted the best shoes. I picked mine then you picked better ones I shouldn’t have and I’m sorry.