Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
WHEN THE POWER IS GONE!
This morning he got up the usual time. He really did not feel like getting off bed, but this was nothing new; he always woke up feeling like that but knew that he had things to do and therefore could not entertain the thought of snoozing off again.
With a clean sweep, he got off the bed and rushed to do his usual morning hygiene. Then he raced to his kitchen to see whether breakfast had been prepared. It was not. Not wanting to waste any time he went to the wardrobe and selected a suit to wear for the day.
Having dressed, he bent down to check his shoes and realized that one of his laces was loose. He bent down to fix these and then stopped suddenly.
“What am I doing? Why am I dressed? Where am I going?” It was then that it struck him that he no longer needed to go to work. He no longer needed to rise early. He no longer needed to rush through his breakfast— this morning he had none. He was retired and therefore the usual routines did not matter.
He lazed around the yard taking in the early morning. It was a reviving experience, something that he had not done for a long time. He felt the grass on his feet, the softness of the dew-dripped sheaves ticking his toes. It felt good to be connecting with nature in this way. Perhaps this thing called retirement was good after all.
His tranquility was disturbed by the paper vendor who looked astonished to see him in the yard. He perhaps had never seen him at home much less in the outdoors.
He decided to go indoors to read the dailies. As he looked upon the front page of one of the newspapers, he felt the blood inside him rise to his temples. He could not believe what he was reading. Someone had taken a decision without consulting him. How dare that happen? This was not something that he was going to tolerate. He reached for the phone, ready to fire whoever was responsible for taking a decision without running it past him.
He dialed the first six digits and then stopped. He had no reason to call. He was no longer the boss. He had retired. Someone else was in charge. That person was now in command. There was no need for him to get upset or even to get involved.
Panic seized. He said to himself that he was losing control. He did not know how to deal with this loss of power, this absence of responsibility, this inability to intervene and interfere as he pleased.
He went to the Cabinet and took out a bottle, poured a long shot and swallowed hard and fast. The liquor stung his throat and the sensation settled his nerves, at least for the time being.
The hours passed him and with each hour the level in the bottle went lower and lower. There was nothing to do. He decided that it was time to go out. He opened his mouth to call the chauffeur but again realized that there was no need. He was no longer entitled to a company car or driver.
Depression sank it. He decided that he must get out before his world caved in. He went out into the avenue in front of his home. It had been years since he had done this. He sat on one of the benches looking at the people and vehicles race by. His head began to swing.
Just then he saw someone that he knew. He had helped this man become somebody. He had given this man a lot of contract work and the man had good money… for both of them.
He hailed out to the man. The man turned noticed him and went on his way. He called out again. The man ignored him—just kept walking on by.
He saw another person, someone that he also knew, a socialite. The man stopped when he saw him.
The man asked him why he was not at work. He explained that he had retired. The man made an excuse about being late for a meeting and hurried off.
Some folks passed by and looked curiously at him. Some children passed and laughed.
He went back inside his home and made a call to one of the executives of his former workplace.
The man answered and seemed pleased to hear from him. He asked about the article in the newspaper. His colleague did not answer. He asked about a contract that was being negotiated. Again no answer. He asked about the staff. Again no answer. He hung up.
He had all this time in front of him and nothing to do—all this time to enjoy but no friends to share it with; all the time and no power to make a difference.
His faithful companion was almost empty. It was time to get another. Not for today. He had had enough for the day. It was for another day when hopefully he would accept his new fate of being forgotten and lonely.
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