Stories of Change: The past, present and future of energy

Ryan Bramley Library item 19 Jan 2018

Trouble and Strife

Photo Credit: Tim Mitchell

Photo Credit: Tim Mitchell

By Martyn Jones.

Stanley: Look at this bill. How have we used this much electricity?

Jules: Oh! You’re talking to me now, then.

Stanley: What are you on about?

Jules: That’s nice isn’t it? You don’t talk to me for weeks and then when you do, you Insult me.

Stanley: Never mind that. I want to know why this bill is so big.

Jules: That just goes to show how much you take me for granted.

Stanley: I wish I could make sense of you.

Jules: Let me explain then. I do all your cleaning, cooking, washing and ironing and not a word of thanks in return. You don’t even give me a second thought do you?

Stanley: Well, I err . . .

Jules: No you don’t. In fact the only time that you think about me is when you get my Bill. Then you go into a panic and neglect me even further.

Stanley: I don’t know how you can say that.

Jules: Now you have read that bill, you’ll be off to see your other women this afternoon. While you are at the cinema or in a restaurant enjoying yourself, I will
be left here without any heat or light. I won’t even be able to switch the telly on
to watch The Chase.

Stanley: There is no pleasing you. While I am out of the house I am saving you work. I thought you would like that.

Jules: Well I don’t and to prove it I am leaving you.

The lights go out and Stanley frantically searches through the kitchen drawers trying to find a new fuse.

Martyn is the co-ordinator of the Barnsley & District U3A (University of the Third Age) Creative Writing Group. Their page can be found here: https://u3asites.org.uk/barnsley/page/76733

My Friend Jules explores new ways for us to think about energy and to share points of view about this vital common resource. It recognises that our energy decisions depend as much on human factors as science. By contributing your unique story about Jules, you help us more fully understand our society’s complex relationship to energy.

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