You try to cheat the system, the system cheats you

You try to cheat the system, the system will cheat you. We are all but mere pawns of the set structure in which society operates. These rules apply to everyone even though some, such as the rich and powerful, seem exempt. These are the ones who have the most to lose for if they go against the set of behaviours that protect the interests of their class, they will be outcast. The world will move on and leave them behind, begging for their former glory which was no glory at all but the attention a child bestows upon a favourite puppet. The puppet is eventually discarded. The rich are not to be envied but pitied.

Thus we live our lives, believing we can make a change. Once in a while, these structures will give you a faint hope that it can be outsmarted, however, those who reach out to grab that slice of hope are slaughtered mercilessly. This is my story. The story of a young man, trying to cheat the system only to find his own ruin.

Zomato lists the price of two pieces of KFC wings at Rs.149 and 4 pieces at Rs.289. My slice of hope came when though I had selected 4 pieces, but my bill read Rs.149.

“This is it”, I thought, “This is how I will win.”

By paying the price of 2 for 4. My rebellious optimism got the better of me, for I did not consider the system looks at the price you have paid not the item that has been listed. My happiness built up like a rising crescendo fueled with every centimetre the tracker whizzed across the screen. The familiar call told me my messenger had arrived to tell me “Karan, you changed the game.”

He gave me the package, a small package. 

I got 2 wings. 

Though the package was full it felt hollow. Though the wings hot I felt cold. Though I tried my best I had lost. I trusted the system to play fair, to give what the consumer had ordered, whereas the system played me instead.