Trashy Use of Power

"Hand over your wallet, and whatever else you have in your pocket, or else." The mugger threatened the pedestrian, pointing a gun at his victim. The mugger's face was hidden by a Swiper The Fox ski mask.

"Ok, just don't shoot." The nervous businessman replied. "If I say 'Swiper no swiping,' would that stop you?"

"No talking, just hand stuff over!" The mugger impatiently exclaimed, not amused by the businessman's Dora The Explorer reference. The businessman produced his wallet, smartphone, and car keys. Under his mask the mugger smiled.

"Very good, a nice haul indeed." The mugger said out loud to himself before addressing the businessman again. "Now unlock that smartphone and clear your data while you're at it."

"DON'T BOTHER!" A high pitched voice yelled.

The businessman and mugger turned to see a dumpster approaching them. It looked like the average dumpster that would belong in a city like the one where this story is happening. However, this dumpster had a face, arms and legs.

"The name is Doug, Doug the Dumpster!" The dumpster said. "You can call me Doug though!"

The mugger pointed his gun at the dumpster.

"This is probably a hallucination, but you still won't stop me!" The mugger exclaimed, firing his gun multiple times at Doug.

The bullets were lodged into the dumpster, but caused no harm to Doug.

"Ok, time to throw you out!" Doug cried, grabbing the mugger and tossing him into his dumpster body. A moment later Doug burped.

"That was tasty." Doug said, smiling. "I will take your belongings now."

"What, you weren't rescuing me?" The horrified businessman asked.

"Never said I would." Doug responded. "Now hand those items over, unless you want me to eat you too."

*****

A figure whose body was completely hidden by a cloak stood in a nearby alley, when Doug the Dumpster strolled towards him.

"I stole the items from that businessman like you told me to boss, and then I gave them to a civilian to turn in to the Police." Doug reported. "But master Lifer, why did you bring me to life to steal and then return what I took?"

"Simple my newborn friend." Lifer replied in his gravelly voice. "I am still getting used to my powers of bringing non-living things to life. I wanted to see if I could bring something to life, have it commit a crime, then do something heroic right afterwards. And you my friend, proved that I could."

"Well, congratulations I guess!" Doug responded. "What should I do now?"

"Whatever you desire, it is your life now Doug." Lifer answered. "Have a nice one, I am off to do more tests with my powers."