Semir was responsible for the backup stopwatch at the town race. The main timing equipment worked automatically, but the organizer wanted someone to record finishes by hand in case it failed. It was a small race, more important to families and neighbors than to sports pages. Still, the winner's package included enough money to cover two months of Semir's overdue rent. He had volunteered because he was not fit enough to compete.
Five minutes before the first runner reached the finish, he dropped the watch. Its battery cover bounced under the table. While searching for it, he heard the crowd and looked up too late. He wrote down the order called out by Boris, the director of the company where Semir had recently started working. Boris's cousin was among the runners. Semir did not think about that at the time.
Only during the awards ceremony did he notice that the woman in second place refused to stand on the podium. She said she had finished first. The main system had failed to record the final part of the race, so the committee had relied on his notebook. Semir looked at Boris. The director gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head and continued applauding his cousin. The photographer asked everyone to move closer together.
On Monday Semir received a new work schedule with extra shifts. Boris said he valued people he could depend on. By his lunch break, Semir had opened a video of the finish on the organizer's website three times. The camera faced the crowd, but the finish line was reflected in a kiosk window. The woman had crossed ahead of Boris's cousin. The difference was small, but it was visible.
He sent the organizer the recording and explained what had happened to the stopwatch. He stated that he had not seen the order of arrival with his own eyes. He did not ask to remain anonymous. After sending it, he went into the company yard and called his landlord, because he might need another week's extension. The conversation was uncomfortable and brief. The landlord agreed to wait until Friday.
The result was corrected, and the prize was returned and awarded again. Boris stopped speaking to Semir except when necessary. The extra shifts disappeared from the next schedule. For the following race, the organizer offered him the same volunteer role. Semir accepted on condition that he receive another watch and a second person to record the results. This time he checked the battery cover before putting on his vest.