Super Short Story (178): Crabs
Every time he walks by the seafood section of the supermarket, he would take a peek at the ice box where live tied up crabs are put, unsure whether he wishes it is filled or empty… If it is empty, it means all present before were bought and probably killed by now, with the next batch to be replenished soon. If it is not empty, it means all present now await being bought and killed later.
Whether the box was empty or not in the moment was not the problem. The real problem is that the box is there, and continually used for temporary imprisonment for the death-sentenced. Then again, even the box is not the real problem. The real one being the endless demand for it to be filled – by shoppers.