Mad

The can: crisp, clean, clearly made of metal, maybe aluminum? It shines in the corner, even in the shadow of the desk. Inside this perfect little cylinder is a light blue baby powder scented trash bag, it has a single small knot tied in it to keep it from sliding into the can, the knot is lined up with the crease in the lip of the can, where metal slightly overlaps metal. Take a closer look examine the trash. The first thing one would notice is the J Crew catalog placed perfectly upright against the side of the bag, placed so precisely that it curves exactly with the shape of the can. The edges of the catalog are straight lacking folds or tears unlike most paper documents and it has no wrinkles in fact the only thing noticeable at all is a smudgy thumbprint on the top left side near the stapled fold. Next to the catalog taking the same position with the curve is a tourism pamphlet for a chain of Caribbean islands. On the front is a beautiful picture of a white sandy beach being gently caressed by the loving crystal blue of the sea. Palm trees and tropical shrubbery populate the background and the sun blesses it all from on high. This pamphlet is fairly worn, the edges are slightly dented, the corners folded and one is even a little torn. Some of the ink has lost its vibrancy thanks to the excessive handling. There are several utility bills inside as well, these are torn in quarters and seemingly placed in the bottom of the wastebasket facing up. The bottom was for electrical services, on top of that was water, on top of that gas. There was no indication of the utilities being paid or not, just a methodical dismemberment of the paperwork. On top of the bills a wrapper from a nutrition bar, it is folded into a perfect square about two inches by two inches. The writing and design are mostly indistinguishable except for the “Nutr” on the exposed portion. Lying on top of all of these items, a slightly crumbled receipt. Thrown haphazardly into the bucket, no folds, and no creases. The receipt is from a general store, on it a list of items purchased: duct tape 3.49, 10’ nylon rope 6.99, 20’ blue tarp 21.99 and 16” axe 24.99.