ADD: How long?... (1040 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.62 on 33 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by ms. ann thropic (View user info) at 2009-09-17 16:11:52 EDT
I spend my days sitting. I stare at a desk in a row with other people that sit. It's what we do, sitting. Well, waiting really.
I merely breathe, savoring the slow intake despite the faint smell of body odor and urine covered by freshly laundered sheets. I allow the air to fill my lungs as best I can. My body sways in my seat with the effort but the tiny bit of euphoria felt in between breaths, that infinite space and time where all thought and pain cease, is worth it. Instinctively I exhale and am surprised. Surprised by the force and surprised by the opportunity to repeat the cycle. In. Out. In. Out.
The woman behind the desk barely notices us. We are a silent and diligent crew, keeping our seats warm, some of us leaning with the great effort of existing...waiting.
I've given up trying to leave, at first it was because the woman behind the desk would not let me. Now my body will not let me. I want nothing more than to leave, but I've assimilated and become soft. Spirit broken, I've shifted and molded and became a part of this.
I close my eyes. I think about the last time I tried to escape.
I was just going to walk out. I rose from my seat. The woman was focused on the things - those important papers and that flashing, clanging box- on her desk. My legs were shaky but I was determined. I've always been determined. I rose from my seat. I felt the others' eyes weight on me. I willed them to look away because the weight would surely drag me down, but soundlessly, they looked on. The woman still did not notice. I had walked along the wall, the weathered green wall paper thicker than the weathered tan skin on my hand, holding myself up and moving quickly.
There was a grunt. A TRAITOR. I didn't look back but I heard the woman moving then much more quickly than I and she was calling my name. I continued to move as fast as knobby knees could carry me but she was gaining, soft soled shoes puffing on the tiled floor. I could see the door. Just beyond it was freedom. My heart leapt in my chest and I tried to run. For a moment I did. Then the wall swung violently to the left and then the world shifted beneath my feet and I was horizontal. The woman was upon me now, shouting my name. I shut my eyes.
I wanted to shut her out.
This place out.
This existence out. But she'd caught me.
And now my leg hurts all the time. But I hardly notice.
I open my eyes, the irises blued by time and cataracts. The box is clanging again.
I spend my days sitting. I stare at a desk in a row with other people that sit. It's what we do, sitting. Well, waiting really.
User Reviews
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2009-09-21 14:05:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
tl;dr
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2009-09-21 13:30:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I think this wins as the best user name.
Well done, you.
Submitted by cheerios (user info) at 2009-09-21 13:16:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.ubersite.com/m/123322
Submitted by i_can_get_you_a_toe (user info) at 2009-09-21 10:22:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
The way this is written would have worked better if it were more than just a short story.
Submitted by Yozz (user info) at 2009-09-20 11:13:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/122553
Submitted by netimportant (user info) at 2009-09-19 23:54:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I didn't read this but it sure looks depressing.
I'm pretty thirsty. I normally drink bottled water but we don't have any, so I'm drinking wine instead. By the time my date gets here I'll be easy as Sunday morning.
Submitted by Lib (user info) at 2009-09-19 15:41:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by zajebisty (user info) at 2009-09-19 12:40:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MajulCartoons (user info) at 2009-09-19 07:33:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
...i didn't read this post, but wow, this website is dying. When i first came here about a year ago, the "most heated" number 1 post would have about 150 heat on it.
This is number one with 20 heat... ergh.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2009-09-19 00:22:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2009-09-18 23:48:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
rhythm
Is that how you spell it? It doesn't look right.
Submitted by pandora (user info) at 2009-09-18 21:11:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh, this made me want to break down the door to the old folks' home and free all the grannies. Run, grannies! Be free!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2009-09-18 12:03:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
keep it up.
Submitted by HellRazer (user info) at 2009-09-18 07:51:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Only the good die young.
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2009-09-18 07:16:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Gah! First real job out of high school during the summer before University was working as a CNA in an old folks home.
You couldn't pay me enough to do that kind of work again. You start developing back problems within the first few weeks in jobs like that.
However, working in nursing homes exposed me (for the first time) to:
Death. Up close and personal.
Evil, very tiny, demented old ladies who can and will shank you for no good reason.
Evil, very tiny, demented old ladies who are convinced prostitutes are in the next room. I think it was all the moaning noises from the other demented old ladies.
Half blind, demented old men who only eat, shit, and try to grab the arses of any and all passing female. The only ones they could actually catch were the slower moving, obese nurses. I don't think the old men minded.
Bed hopping Octogenarians and Nonagenarians. *shudder!*
Incontinents who can yank off their Depends in 2.5 seconds flat.
Incontinents who can yank off their body fluid LOADED Depends in 2.5 seconds flat then launch them with the accuracy of heat seeking misiles.
And other such fun life lessons.
I never plan to get to their point. Yay for self euthanasia!
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2009-09-18 04:19:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
:O
Submitted by TechnoRatty (user info) at 2009-09-18 04:05:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
all good
but considering this:-
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Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:57:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
im am salivating at the thought of going into an old peoples home, so much totty.
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I think we all know that's where he'll lose his virginity
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:57:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
im am salivating at the thought of going into an old peoples home, so much totty.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:56:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I am looking forward to being geriatric. I'll be free from the need to get a better job and all my earthly lusts. I'll have the internet and my kin. I'll be able to see the crazy sci-fi future of tommorow.
Then I'll get alzheimers and be free of all my bad memories. I'll be free of the need to be coherent. I'll be able to get my dick out whenever I want.
If I want to I can do stuff like go to a third world country to become a sex lord and die of AIDS.
It will be awesome. I don't know what people have against being old.
Submitted by Ducky (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:36:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2009-09-18 00:33:31 PDT (#)
Ranking: 1
American's really hate the idea of getting old. How come you don't have euthanasia?
____________________________
there are a number of reasons, but they should.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:33:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
American's really hate the idea of getting old. How come you don't have euthanasia?
Submitted by Ducky (user info) at 2009-09-18 03:32:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2009-09-18 01:51:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
HAHAHA!!! I actually thought this was gonna be about something else.
I almost thought of reposting this entire thing, but at the bottom, attaching a photo of the US Department of Motor Vehicles. (DMV)
This tale pretty much sums up THAT experience as well, too.
Submitted by SPECIALk (user info) at 2009-09-18 00:45:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbH9O2jvjr0
Submitted by willartstorg (user info) at 2009-09-18 00:23:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by TuTs (user info) at 2009-09-17 21:17:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
When I would walk to school as a kid I had to go past an old persons home. Everyday there would be an old as moses lady standing at the fence, her hands gripping th bars. As I walked past she would scream "help meee, help me." I would put my head down and keep walking.
Then one day she wasn't there.
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That old lady was The Fly. You fucked up.
Submitted by willartstorg (user info) at 2009-09-18 00:21:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
How long? Enough to injure your innards.
Submitted by X54 (user info) at 2009-09-17 22:42:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ha ha ha! Death panels FTW!
Submitted by TuTs (user info) at 2009-09-17 21:17:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
When I would walk to school as a kid I had to go past an old persons home. Everyday there would be an old as moses lady standing at the fence, her hands gripping th bars. As I walked past she would scream "help meee, help me." I would put my head down and keep walking.
Then one day she wasn't there.
Submitted by icarus1987 (user info) at 2009-09-17 20:43:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Could use just a bit more spit and polish, but not bad at all!
Submitted by Yozz (user info) at 2009-09-17 18:06:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I think I missed a memo. What's with all the Blue Hairs?
Submitted by GroundHorse (user info) at 2009-09-17 16:25:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Afriel (user info) at 2009-09-17 16:18:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Love it.
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2009-09-17 16:18:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Love it.
Love you.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2009-09-17 16:16:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
have they just seen phallics cock?