After witnessing a crime, you agree to testify. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, you are forced to join the new-and-improved Witness Protection Program. You are given two odd choices:
1) Move to Norton, KS, and take a new identity.Your immediate family may come with you, but you must cut ties with everyone else. You will work data entry from your home.  Your salary will be exactly the national average. It will be adjusted for the cost of living each year. You are not allowed to change jobs, move to a new town, or make money through any other means. At age 66, you will be allowed to retire,  and you will continue making your national-average income. However you must live in Norton, KS for the rest of your life.
2) You are free to live a normal life, with one small caveat: An armed guard will protect you until the day you die. He is never allowed to stand more than ten feet away from you. You do not have to move or change your name and can stay in contact with your friends and loved ones.
Which do you choose and why?
Put your answer to this week’s weird question in the comments below. Hit the like button for other comments that you enjoy. At the end of March, the commenter with the most likes wins a book!
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AFAQÂ (Anticipated Frequently Asked Questions):
Why Norton, KS? I saw it on a list of the most boring towns in America. No judgement – I know nothing about Norton. Sorry if you live there!
Will the guard stand in another room while I go to the bathroom and have private time with my significant other and stuff? Yes, as long as he is within a ten foot radius. There can be a wall between you and him. However, he likes to keep you in his sight unless there is a good (and temporary) reason. He’s not going to sit in another room all day.
Is the guard cool? Can we be friends? The guards rotate, each working eight hour shifts. I’m sure you’ll connect with some of them and dislike others.
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I think I'd choose the armed guard so that I can keep my existing life. Ideally he would drive me to work so that I could sleep/read/whatever.
But working from home all the time also appeals, even if I have to move to Kansas. Cutting off from everyone is not so simple in these days of internet and social networks.
Good point about the guard driving you around… I may have to reconsider my answer.
You didn't say whether I could go outdoors in Norton, Kansas, which would make a huge difference. If I had to stay in the house all day, no way. I checked out Disc Golf Course Review to see if there is a disc golf course in Norton, and, there actually is a pretty decent one (which automatically cancels its distinction as the "most boring town in America') In the review of the course, I found this comment, which is quite hilarious, considering the context: "If you like a heavily guarded pin then hole 13 is right up your alley." The person who wrote that doesn't know the half of it, lol.
All in all though, I'm picking the armed guard and greater freedom.
Yes, you can go to the disc golf course. 🙂 Of course, that is where anyone trying to kill you would expect you to go…
Option 2 for me. Not that I've got anything against Norton, KS, but cutting myself off from my friends is absolutely not negotiable.
I'd take the armed guard. I tend to get along with most people, so I assume we'd become friends, and I'd just consistently be hanging out with a friend every day. I don't think it would end up being so bad. And it would be extremely hard for me to not be able to ever attend a friend or family function again if I had to move to KS. Home is where the heart is. If you're heart is in Norton, KS, God bless you. Right now, mine is not.
Although it would be tough to be cut off from family and friends, I couldn't stand having someone ten feet from me every second for the rest of my life. I'll take Kansas. You can be happy wherever you are if you choose to.