i've been secretly stealing [or, as i would like to call it, quietly taking possession of] these amazing neon colored straws from the pizza place down the street from my serving job. it came about because i went in there one day to grab a slice and a large fountain soda to scarf down before work, only to be disappointed upon the finding that their fountain soda machine was out of order. i asked how long they expected it to be in disrepair. the man behind the counter responded quite simply, "i don't know." i asked the helpful man how long it had been broken and was met once again with a simple, "i don't know."

at that i raised an eyebrow and, with a slight sneer, i thanked him for my slice, handed over my cash and waited for my change. it was then that i noticed the beautiful neon straws, all alone and crammed together in an old coca cola cup from the stupid soda machine. while the man was buried with his head in the cash register extracting my change, i reached into that cup and took one of every color straw, placing them carefully into my bag.

since then it has become my little rebellion to take possession of a handful of those pretty little things every time i go into said pizza place for a slice and a large fountain soda and am faced with the grave news that the machine is broken. only now there is no disappointment, just slight glee when i spot those neon brights.

at least until the day they catch on and i am left with no soda and no pretty straws.