Gold Leaf Glow
Alan the Artist stayed up all night completing his masterpiece, The Assassination of Logic. It was extraordinary. He’d been concerned that he’d never get it finished but there it was. The culmination of all of his artistic ambition.
One last sip of sherry and off to bed. The dawn would be coming soon.
Just a few short hours later Alan was woken way too early by a 2-stroke engine blaring away, revving up and down somewhere outside his ground floor apartment.
Reluctantly he called the police to complain about the kid on his minibike disturbing the peace. Again. The last time he’d put up with that kid zapping around for what seemed like hours, but that was in the afternoon, on a Saturday. He felt horrible calling the cops but he had a right to some peace and quiet at that time of the morning and those tiny petrol motors make such a racket. Who had the right to disturb the entire street? That’s what Alan wanted to know.
The cops soon banged on his front door so he directed them toward the source of the sound of the high revving engine. Alan returned to bed grateful that the boys in blue were going to put things right. He rolled over feeling good because he didn’t have to get up until 2pm at the latest, “probably haven’t had a full night’s sleep for over a fortnight.” he mumbled drowsily.
The cops banged on his front door again so he opened it for them again. “We have a problem here mister.”
“How could that be? I called for assistance because the entire street was being disturbed by one unmuffled petrol engine. That inconsiderate kid again. Just send him home. It can’t be that hard?”
“The petrol motor in question is, we have ascertained, a leaf blower. An overalled  worker is blowing leaves with it as we speak. It begs the question as to why you are still in bed when others are utilising their time to make the world a tidier place?

 “Well, you see, I'm an artist.”

We consider it a serious offence to waste police time and cause problems for workers going about their proscribed tasks. You’re under arrest sir, please empty your pockets, take off your shoes, and get into the van.”