The deckThe Forces02 of 24
The Lobotomist
The quick fix, numbness, and what it costs to be quiet.
- Figure
- The quick fix. Quieter, happier, nobody home.
- Pattern
- Choosing numb over hard.
- What it protects
- It works. Immediately.
- What it costs
- The part that was the problem was also the part that was you.
- The move
- Name the thing the fix is for.
- ON FILE
- The fix, effective, cause not recorded.
In each position
HOW IT STARTED
Something hurt. You found the thing that made it stop. You never asked what it was.
HOW IT'S GOING
You are quieter now. Everyone says so. Nobody says it as a compliment.
HOW IT ENDS, ALLEGEDLY
You will say you are fine. You will mean the part that is still awake.
Three questions
- What is the fix for, exactly?
- What went quiet along with the problem?
- Would you still choose numb if it were called that?
A sample file
A sample file
This office has reviewed the fix. It works, and it worked immediately, which the office has entered into evidence as the only fast thing in the file. You are calmer. Several parties have said so, and the file records that none of them said it as a compliment. The office asked what the fix was for and received a very pleasant answer that did not contain a noun. xxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxx xxx xxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxx xx xxx xxx xxxx xxxx xx xxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxxx The office had its own loud department removed some years ago and has been extremely easy to work with ever since. Quiet was filed as fine, and nobody has checked the filing.
EXHIBITS
- A. The fix, effective, cause not recorded.
- B. Forty evenings, one channel, mostly static.
- C. A foil balloon, sent instead of a visit.
MISFILEDunder peace and quiet
Every file is written for the person who pulled it. This one was written for nobody, so it is the only one you get to read without pulling. One sentence is sealed on every public copy, this one included.
On file in cotton
The shirt
Once a day. Three cards, one finding, a status. How it works.