Story

And when he opened the box his senses were overwhelmed by nausea, despair and impending doom. Laid bare before him were citations, hospital bills, payoff statements, and the scariest thing on the pile: a love poem he wrote in middle school. Oh, the horror, the horrible, shameful horror. Trembling hands unearthed a “Him" mixtape. Haha I can see you recoiling in disgust, scratching feverishly in hope of blinding yourself. You'd do anything not to go through that again. The shame, the misery, pure torture.

But fear not, this story is not all gore and jump scares. Let me ease your discomfort, please have a seat. What should I pour? What program? Well, la-di-da isn't that neat. You should take a lesson from my friend Johnny. He’s big on walking. That fits perfectly with your step program, doesn't it? I'll make it a double, no ice. You look much better, got some color in your cheeks.

Do you smoke? Of course not, why would you. With all the studies, medical conferences and what not, who in their right mind would make a conscious decision to buy cigarettes. Vaping on the other hand… Go on, it's mango flavoured. You like fruit don't you? Splendid. It looks great on you, honestly. Like a young Steve Buscemi, very handsome.

Let's not make this about me. You are the most interesting person in this room. I keep telling you it doesn't matter who I am. What matters is the choices you make. Of course, there's always a choice. I'm not heartless. Haha, leave? By all means, my good man, give it a try. It's baffling isn't it? What did Morpheus say to Neo, you know in the dojo when they were doing kung-fu? What a great movie. It's got: fast-paced action, mind bending special effects, tits, and ray tube monitors to name a few highlights. If you keep struggling like that you'll burn your wrists. They exist just for your eyes so you can come to turns with the situation. Those restraints, there's nothing pinning you down, not physically. Try not to fight it. I'll release you if you promise to calm down. That's a shame…

Let me show you something truly horrific. You tell me. Who do you think is inside the bag? Open it. Brave words, but I can make you open it just like this. He does take after you, the resemblance is uncanny. That's right kid don't worry your dad's here, nothing can hurt you now. Is that so, mister? Let's get you back in that sack and tie it up nice and tight. Where did I put that thing? Oh believe me he'll scream a lot harder once I find it. I think you know what that smell is. I think your son knows too and he's got a good idea of what's going to happen to him. I can stop, all I have to do is snap my fingers. You'll behave from now on? Good.

Much better, that kid's got quite the lungs on him. Would you like to see- relax. Because it only affects you, that's why. It's personal, it's directed at you. For everyone else it's nothing more than news, gossip, something shared in passing on the elevator. You've always dreamed of being the center of attention, now's your chance. Is that so? Why do their praises and gratitude matter? I thought it was happy wife, happy life, not admiration from faceless strangers. So duty, honor, oath, how touching.

Who do you think put those people up there? Corruption, conspiracy, bloodmoney, that kind of stuff? All of them at the top you say? Because you were never given a chance, is that it? I know you're excellent, that's not the point. Of course it should be you, none are as hardworking and talented. You know I've said it a thousand times: it should have been you. Your paper: flawless, perfectly executed. With your devotion and ambitious nature the company would have made millions. What am I saying, it would have skyrocketed: billions, trillions, the CEO would have adopted and written you in his will.

Because you're delusional, that's why, you pathetic excuse for a man. The fantasy you've built for yourself is sickening. Such outrageous claims of power, of virtue, conjured up by your idiotic mind. You're a failure not because of others. It's you who is to blame. Nothing will make you whole, not even your son. He will realize his father was a loser, a drunk, a junkie, a narcissistic head case. You will fade away from memory. You'll be alone for the rest of your years. Why do you insist on lingering here?

I can be done. You have a chance to make things right. You can leave a mark on this world, make your son proud to call you father, make people remember you. Isn't that what you always wanted? To get the respect you deserve, the money, the fame that comes with it all? Then here's the deal: I will give you all you ever wanted, but you won't remember any of it. Sounds complicated but it's not. I will make it so everyone remembers the person you want to be instead of what you are. It will be as if you lived that perfect life. The trade-off is you will have no recollection of existing. No memory of your son, wife, struggles, disappointments, misery, nothing at all. I'm giving you a future but I'm taking away… No, not the past. I'm taking away the present.

If you refuse, all will continue as before. We will never speak again. So, what will it be? I didn't catch that. Haha sure, here you go, bottom's up. You don't know and never will know if I'm lying. No rush, plenty of time. None whatsoever, I have no place to be at any given moment. It won't work, mister. Sooner or later, it doesn't matter when,you'll have to make a choice. Later it is. +1 word