The blinds are shut tight. Sunrise leaks through the tiny holes in each slat, creating a kaleidoscope on the far wall. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and arch my back like a cat to stretch. I hear the gargling mufflers of cars lumber past. Listen to all those automotons filing past to go to their brain factory jobs to pump out more and more words and ideas to make the fat cats at the top rich. They aren't even aware of it. Their minds are washed clean of any imagination. Their dreams are a steady hum of flat and lifeless vibrations. Enough to keep baby comfortable. They swarm across the city, one after another, a solid line of steel ants dotting the highways. I tune out the drone of morning workers for a bit to make some coffee, stuff a handful of frosted mini-wheats in my mouth, and plop down on the couch. Those brainless capitalists don't know what they're missing. Me? I've got all the agency I need. I'm not going anywhere. No way. I'm sitting tight, right here. I flip on the television, review the "Picked Just For You" section of YouTube, wedge myself comfortably into the cushions, and watch whatever I want. I do whatever I want. I am in control.
The 10-minute version
The blinds are shut tight. Sunrise leaked through the tiny holes in each slat creating a kaleidascope on the far wall. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and arched my back like a cat to stretch. I hear cars lumbering bpast . Listent o all those automotons filing past to go to etheri their brain factory jobs to pump out more and more words and ideas to make the fat cats at the top rich. They aren't even aware of it. Their minds are washed of any sense of imagination. Their dreams are a steady hum of electricity. Flat and lifeless. And they swarm inward across the city like dutiful ants . one arfter another each following the next on their highways. I tune out the drone of morning workers for a minute to brush my teeth, take a shower, and get dressed. Those brainless dweebs don't know what they're missing. Me? I've got all the agency I need . I'm not going anywhere. No way. I'm isitting tight right here. I flip on the televeisiion, see what the algorithm serves up on YouTube, wedge myself into the couch and