She Didn't Even Know Why Anymore
Where the -@!# did my muse go?
Writer, dreamer, knight, shackled by entertainment . . . and people.
Doctor Tanner waited until the clock read 8:00 before approaching Darlene. She was munching on baby carrots while watching some kind of colorful cartoon on the wall screen.
“It's time for bed.” Dr. Tanner said gently.
Without looking, Darlene replied, “I don't wanna. Not ready.”
“Come on. Once you get a drink of water and get in bed with Mr. Stripes, you'll fall asleep right away.”
She scrunched up her face. “No. No sleep, no dreams tonight.”
“Please, Darlene. It's your job and you know how much everyone likes it when you dream. Think of Annie. Every night you dream, you make her a little safer.”
Sad reluctance smoothed out her face at the mention of her sister. “Ugh. Fine."
Dr. Tanner led Darlene to her sleeping pod and helped her get ready for bed. Once inside with her stuffed tiger, Dr. Tanner closed the lid behind her and patted it sadly. Dreaming had stripped away the twenty-five year old's intellect and maturity but her sacrifice preserved the future; a light that sparked other lights to life.
Prequels
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Comments (2 so far!)
Jim Stitzel
Wow. Very cleverly written. Like August said, very understated. I'd love to know more about this world and circumstances leading to the development of this technology and the solution it provides.
- #3797 Posted 6 years ago
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Story prompt:
Write a story where a character gets paid to sleep.
- Published 6 years ago and featured 6 years ago.
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August Rode
This is wonderfully understated, Robert. It's clear that there is something highly interesting going on but you've left a lot to the imagination of the reader.