Darrell squinted at the pavement, his finger tracing the rim of a soda can like a detective studying a crime scene. Three minutes earlier, he’d vowed to collect 100 bottle caps to prove he could out-obsess his ex’s cat. Now, his sneaker was stuck to a cap via a glacier of caramel syrup.
“Come on, you piece of recycled aluminum,” he grunted, yanking until the cap peeled free with a wet *plink*. The sound summoned a seagull. Darrell froze. The bird tilted its head, then squawked directly into his ear.
He hurled the cap at a trash can. It ricocheted off a skateboard, sailed over a toddler’s head, and lodged in a fountain. The water sprayed upward, drenching a man in a business suit who’d been mid-sip of espresso.
“Sir,” Darrell blurted, sprinting forward, “I’ll buy you a new coffee!”
The man stared at his soaked shirt. “You’re coming with me,” he said, yanking Darrell’s arm.
They arrived at a warehouse where 500+ bottle caps clattered in bins. The man removed his tie, revealing a T-shirt that read: *I Survived Darrell’s Cap Saga*.
“You’re the 100th,” he said. “Welcome to the club.”
Darrell looked up. A banner hung above the door: *Previous Members: 37. Average Stay: 2 Weeks.*
