Reality

I wasn't always this hopeless. In fact, a year ago, my world was full of endless possibilities. But I lost it all in a flash due to nothing but greed.

It all began when I started a job as a security guard. The pay was reasonable, and the hours allowed me to continue to take classes in pursuit of my criminal justice degree. I was nine credits away when it happened.

It was my third night on the job. I arrived fifteen minutes before my midnight start time, so I had time to converse with the man I was relieving.

"You are not going to believe this!" His excitement was obvious, despite his hushed tone. Although I had never met the guy, I instantly knew he didn't have a penchant for keeping secrets. Before I could respond, he led me to a small unlocked safe in the corner of the building.

He opened the safe to reveal thousands of hundred dollar bills. My pulse quickened as I thought of my mounting debts: student loans, credit cards and past due bills. That was my last logical thought. I still don't know what came over me.

"Who else knows about this?" I was surprised that the husky voice I heard was my own.

"Nobody but us. I just found it a few hours ago."

I don't remember taking the gun from my holster...or pulling the trigger.

Suddenly, the lights became much brighter, and people were everywhere. Days later, I learned that my new job had only been a ruse, and I was unknowingly taking part in a reality show that tested what people would do in certain situations. Even after months in my jail cell, I still haven't figured out why they gave me a loaded gun.