The work week was over. What was left of your paycheck was deposited after taxes

You’d put in your time, nose to the grindstone, been humiliated by a co-worker, and during the drive home been given the bird by an angry woman in glasses

But the big game was tomorrow and the six pack was cooling under ten pounds of ice

The same ice used on the bag of shrimp you’d found at a very good price

And just when it seemed like the weekend might end on a high note, you scrolled through the messages on your phone

The one that caught your eye was from your TV provider stating the conglomerate owning the sports channels was dropping your provider for reasons unknown

It seems the boys in the boardroom all decided that money alone wasn’t enough, overshadowed by their unquenchable thirst for power

The sports network wanted it all. They’d already taken the gutless conferences hostage with staggered start times now completing the monopoly not caring who they devour

Raise the price charged to the competing provider who were stealing customers by offering better technology and viewing results

And have their own networks talking heads promote their ever spirialing greed while the bill paying customers have to swallow the insults

You’ve been loyal to your own provider and watched as it raised it rates every year

Justified by adding four DIY channels and three more dedicated to alternative lifestyles and the queer

No, you didn’t want the ability to watch NE Montana Technical Institute play women’s volleyball

And you didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the three piece suit boardroom brawl

Life was simple when the game was on one of three channels and was broadcast for free

Now for the price of a monthly utility bill you get a watch a three-hour commercial fest diluted by reviews and one idiot referee

One look at the list of commercials from the wealthiest corporations on the planet

And one might figure the TV providers could broadcast for free, charge these lucrative corporations for the airtime and could still make out like a bandit

But suddenly you are rapidly scrolling for alternative provider plans just to see the game

All you wanted was to kickback for a while but here you sit like a plucked chicken waiting for the flame