Priority #1 is Out of Stock

*************

June 19th

*************

Ah! You’re here!

I’ve been waiting for you!

Welcome to Cortex!

One of our many memory and precuneus retailing chains here in the prefrontal cortex.

My name is Maeko, and I will be assisting you during your shopping experience.

[You are in what appears to be a grocery store. There are only 4 aisles.]

Aisle 4: Kids

Aisle 3: Husband

Aisle 2: Logistics

Aisle 1: You

Is there anything you need assistance with?

[You explain that this summer and you and your family are creating a summer bucket list. Wanting to make sure you get everything planned out but there is some lingering feeling that you are missing something. Something very important, producing a curdling cramp that twists and knots in the pit of your stomach every time you dwell on it.]

I see! Can you give me access to what is on the bucket list? I can then guide you to the appropriate aisle.

[You agree, and a virtual window appears before you.]

The Kids:

- Blockland Resort

- Seaside Curve Waterpark

- Roller Skating

The Husband:

- Birthday party at the beach

- Go see Tenant Nefarious

- Backyard Camping

This is what I pulled from your database. Does this list look complete? Is there anything …missing?

[As soon as you try to reach the back of your mind, you ignite an itch. An itch you cannot scratch. It spreads in its increasing wave of discomfort, as if it was trying to cover a potential spark of a reminder. To shake the feeling, you agree that the list is exactly as you and your family discussed.]

Understood!

I show that you have this event planned for June 21st. So, it looks like you need items from aisles 2 and 4. Let me see.

[The list presents options from both aisles. Maeko has listed what is in stock from both aisles.]

This is what we have here today. We only restock based on how frequently you visit. For example, we need VIP passes to enter the park. The next time you return here, we will replace the item slot with something entirely different. We here at Cortex cannot provide an unlimited number of items, just as you could not afford an unlimited number of VIP passes. Also, if an aisle is not visited frequently, there will be no need to stock it and it will be void of anything on the shelves, understood?

I have already put the passes in the cart, which leaves Logistics.

Aisle 4:

-> Blockland Resort VIP Passes x 5

- Seaside Curve Waterpark Family Pass

- Roller Skates x 5

Aisle 2:

-> SPF 100 Sunscreen

- Food & Drink Stocked Cooler

- Children’s Skater Discount Coupon

[You read through the available items and select the sunscreen. You remember the last time you went without it, you had to use unlimited sunscreen there and the quality of the sunscreen was questionable, it washed off so easily when in water.]

Sunscreen. Noted!

Now that we have got what we needed you are able to check out, but before you go, is there anything else you need or another aisle you’d like to browse out of curiosity? Perhaps aisle 1, just to make sure you aren’t forgetting something?

[The perfectionist in you would not allow you to pass this opportunity up and you immediately think of your

husband. To make sure that your husband and kids’ needs are met, and they can enjoy the trip flawlessly]

...Very well.

Aisle 3:

- Tenant Nefarious Movie Ticket x 2

- Family Size Tent

- GPS Coordinates to the Beach

[Disappointed, you see nothing here that could benefit your husband on this trip and decide that you are done and ready to check out.]

Alright. It appears that you… have everything you need.

[The virtual screen fades and you are left with the view of four rowed store]

I really hope you enjoy your time at the water park. Come back soon!

*************

June 27th

*************

Welcome back!

Please tell me, how was your trip?

[You tell Maeko that the ride there was smooth with no unexpected events. There were songs and snack stops along the way. The traffic wasn’t heavy until five minutes before arrival. A line of traffic was seen snaking from beyond the exit of the interstate, spilling through the parking lot like a fan of dotted lines. It took thirty minutes before you could make it to the front gate and it was even worse when your family made it to the entry lines. Not only was it humid and hot, but there were so many people that you started to get claustrophobic; having to already break in the sunscreen just to ease your family of sunburn. Having to tag team keeping your kids close as the sweat drenched people closed in on you from all sides without boundaries. Experiencing that for so long. Hearing people breath down on the nape of your neck or hearing so many conversations overlap was so unbearable that you wanted to leave, but the kids were so adamant of staying and you didn’t want to be party pooper again. So, you hung in there until you were at the booth and exchanged tickets for entry. Not to your surprise, the inside was far worse. We had come on a very popular day, and the population of the park reflected that. All the popular rides were packed which left the kid part of the park and the lazy river. Ultimately, spent your entire time at Seaside there. The kids enjoyed it and the husband wasn’t too upset, but you were overwhelmed and wanted to go home the entire time.]

I am sorry to hear that. For what it is worth, I am glad to see you again and ready to assist with the next event on your family’s bucket list. If you are ready, let’s review before we browse, okay?

[You gave Maeko permission to proceed]

Understood!

The next upcoming event is June 30th, and it is your husband’s birthday, how exciting! On the screen I will list again the aisle and after selection its contents in case you forgot.

[Surprisingly, you did not forget but to not be rude, you say nothing and the virtual window appears before you.]

Aisle 1: You

Aisle 2: Kids

Aisle 3: Husband

Aisle 4: Logistics

[Aisle 1 is at the top of the screen. This isn’t where it was last time.]

I am aware the aisle 3 is the most important choice, however it is okay to look at other aisles too.

You may never know what you may find. Tell me what you would like to do.

[You explain to Maeko about the importance of going to logistics as you want his birthday to be perfect and rememberable]

Understood!

This is what I pulled from your database. Does this list look complete? Please let me know if something is missing.

Aisle 3:

- Seaside Curve Waterpark Family Pass

- Roller Skates x 5

-> Birthday Cake & Gifts

Aisle 4:

- Food & Drink Stocked Cooler

- Children’s Skater Discount Coupon

-> Windproof Decorations & Party Tent

[You made your choice.]

I see.

Would you like to look at the others? Surely there is something for everyone?

Something for the kids and yourself?

[Something for the kids and [REDACTED]… That slow creep of anxiety creeps upon you once more, the void stirs awake in your belly once again and snuffing out select words from your mind’s vocabulary. The itch is at your mind’s door. Scratching and knocking. You can hear it breathe. Breathing out the words

selfiiiish…]

[Terrified, you pull your thoughts away from the redacted word and focus on Aisle 2 only. Something for the kids. Yes, something for the kids.]

Aisle 2:

- Seaside Curve Waterpark Family Pass

- Roller Skates x 5

-> Floaties & Life Jackets x 5

[You made your choice.]

I understand that safety is key! Perhaps next time we can look at your aisle. I hope you and your family enjoy the birthday party at the beach. See you soon!

*************

July 9th

*************

Welcome Back!

Please tell me how the birthday party was at the beach? I am sure it was a lot of fun!

[You pause before replying. You tell Maeko that you were excited because you have never been to the beach and was hyping up your family the entire ride there. Then, there it was. This massive blue entity that went on to what seemed like the end of the earth. Maybe large enough to swallow it. You try detailing this new and unexplainable fear of something you thought you would enjoy. You assure Maeko that you were not afraid of water. Hello, how would you shower? It was the sheer scale of it. So much empty space despite it being possibly the world’s biggest grave. An unforgiving aquatic reaper that grants you no control as it takes you quietly. So, you focused more on setting up the party than preparing to enter the water with the others. Insisting on setting up everything herself to give more time to set up than anytime possibly being swallowed by the ocean. You tried to bravely face every time your husband came to you because you had this terrifying look on your face at times. So, to not ruin his day, you dug up the little courage you had, snuggled in your chest, and sat where the foam kissed the sand, close enough to be near the kids, just in case. Just enough to look engaged. At sunset, you and your family retreated from the water to the tent and uncovered the plastic over everything. You were relieved to find it not disturbed and continued. Although the ocean had terrified you, the sunset eased your fears with its warm colors, the blankets everything it touches. It was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen. They were able to successfully celebrate your husband’s big day, ending it with birthday cake, wishes, and sparklers.]

I’m happy that the sunset put you at ease and you were able to enjoy your husband’s birthday and that it was a success! You were brave enough to push through your fears so that you could enjoy the day. Let’s keep the successful trend going and allow me to assist you on the next event on your bucket list. Shall we proceed?

[You gave Maeko permission to get started.]

Understood.

The next upcoming event is July 15. It’s skate night, how fun! One the screen I will list again the aisle and afterwards, the contents of the aisle’s chosen.

Aisle 1: YOU

Aisle 2: Logistics

Aisle 3: Husband

Aisle 4: Kids

Please make your choice.

You could select all aisles if you wanted.

There are no wrong answers!

[You look at Aisle 1; the wording blurs and painful to look at. You see shimmering waves of lines pulling in a tide of geometrical shapes and a sharp pain behind your eyes. Throbbing. Pounding. Your peripheral vision displays a fractured lights show of red, blue, and green. You hold your eyes shut tightly]

Are you okay?

[Opening your eye once again you explain to Maeko that you got a random migraine when you tried to read the list.]

Oh, no.

I will wait until you feel better and then we can continue and if it is too much,

we can come back to this at a different time.

[You say nothing. You closed your again until the feeling recedes.

You open your eyes once again.]

Aisle 1: sELfIsh

Aisle 2: Priority

Aisle 3: Priority

Aisle 4: Priority

[You breathed the words priority two, three, and four.]

Priority?

Oh! Are you saying that your priorities are aisles 2, 3, and 4?

All but one again?

It’s okay to think about yourself too.

To be truly accommodating, you consider yourself!

[Frustrated, you tell Maeko that you don’t know what it's talking about and that you are having a hard time with this today.]

Understood.

This is what I pulled from your database.

Aisle 3:

-> Roller Skates x 5

-> Roller Skates x 5

-> Roller Skates x 5

Aisle 4:

-> Children’s Skater Discount Coupon

-> Children’s Skater Discount Coupon

-> Children’s Skater Discount Coupon

Aisle 3:

-> Priority

-> Priority

-> Priority

[You made your choice.]

I see. Everything is locked in.

I hope your family has a wonderful time at the skating rink!

See you soon.

*************

July 22nd

*************

Welcome Back.

Tell me, how did skate night go?

[You tell Maeko it was fun and a breath of fresh air. Skating endlessly in circles for hours while not conjuring up a single thought or worry. It was truly refreshing. The food wasn’t so great, but you all enjoyed yourselves, until your youngest child fell and bruised their knee. Afterward, your child didn’t want to skate anymore. So, you went and sat at table close enough to watch your family continue skating. Watching the others skate. Watching your husband interact with other parents. yOu just wanted to… You just wanted to….]

Hmm.

You seem to be having trouble.

[There is an odd but ominous silence.]

This is what I pulled from your database.

You’ve been showing a pattern despite my suggestions,

but that is OkAY. Yes?

Aisle: SELFISH

Aisle: FOOLISH

Aisle: IGNORANT

Aisle: UNBELIEVABLE

Aisle: PRIORITY

Aisle: PRIORITY

[The screen crackles and converts to a different list]

Priority #1 is Out of Stock

Priority #1 is Out of Stock

PriORity #1 is OuT oF StOCk

P R I O R I T Y # 1 I S O U T O F S T O C K

[You stare at the list in disbelief. What is this? You cannot read the first four aisles. Is your mind playing tricks on you?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?]

LetME finish.

…uNDerSToOd?

Aisle: PRIORITY

-> Family Size Tent

Aisle: PRIORITY

-> Tenant Nefarious Movie Ticket x 2

[Is Maeko mad at you?]

[MAEKO MADE A CHOICE ON YOUR BEHALF]

*************

August 31st

*************

[You return to a partially empty store. There is only one aisle now, fluorescent lights flickered illuminating the dust particles that fall from the unknown. The silence was heavy and suffocating, giving a sense of abandonment. Just you and it. With a flash of red, a bucket appears before you. Focusing your attention on the bucket, the rooms glitch and fracture with a crackle and hiss.]

Unfortunately, the store has shut down for the summer.

[Maeko sounds cold and flat. It puts a chill down your spine with every monotone word spoken. You are just as confused as you are terrified.]

You appear to be confused?

The entire season of summer is coming to its conclusion.

The store is closing.

There was nothing more that you could do for your family.

Nothing left for you to do this summer...

Not for you.

This is what I pulled from your database...

Aisle 1:

- Nothing

- Nothing

- Nothing

[Maeko will not yet you respond.

You are unable to speak.

You are unable to think.

You are unable to choose.

You. Are. Unable.]

Alright, it appears that you…

...have everything you need.

[MAEKO MADE A CHOICE ON YOUR BEHALF]

[You do not speak on behalf of yourself.

You do not think about yourself.

You do not choose yourself.

YOU. ARE. REDACTED.

You are your role.

You. You. You. You.

You…]

[Your vision is starting to dim. You are returning to reality.]

We only stock based on how frequently you visit.

Therefore,

your number 1 priority is out of stock.