Freedom n. The quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous.
- From the Merriam Webster Dictionary
“You must have a preference.”
Boxers or briefs. Silk or cotton. Baggy or tailored. My skin itches.
“You have plenty of options.”
Cadmium. Chartreuse. Crimson. The colors in my closet blur. My head aches as I helplessly stare at them.
“There’s quite a selection”
Hazelnut. Chocolate. Cinnamon. Vanilla. Coffee. The scents surround me. Besiege me. I am powerless.
“You need to choose.”
Rye or whole wheat. Turkey or ham. Mayonnaise or mustard. The selection is nauseating.
“Just pick already.”
Jazz. Rock. Classical. Rap. Spirituals. Show tunes. The cacophony coming from the speakers is relentless.
I panic from the overwhelming input. Sweating and shaking, I wake.
The nylon straps’ embrace snaps me back to reality. The reassuring scent of the leather hood banishes the remnants of the nightmare. The darkness is a relief after the vivid horror show in my mind. Master’s hushed footsteps soothe me. Warm water and oatmeal is fed to me. No demands, no choices.
I am free.
Wicked brilliant, Laura! This is my favorite of your stories so far. I felt the barrage of information overload in the beginning and was completely creeped out at the end with the last line bringing it all hom. Excellent job!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done. I feel that way when I pick up the kids from school everyday and they all need to talk at once. Oh the freedom of the leather hood...if only.
ReplyDeleteI seldom get stuck in variety. In any crowd of options I'll shoot straight to what attracts me and ignore most of the others, at least if it's for clothing color and soda flavoring. Perhaps she doesn't need freedom from choices, just focus. It's something a lot of us moderners struggle with.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you've found your forte Laura. You compose these pieces with such mastery that I'm am in awe! Brilliant again this week! Nice variety in your choices as well. I'm enjoying reading these. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept - freedom within restriction. Very well paced, and the opening perfectly encapsulates the feeling of bombardment.
ReplyDeleteGreat story...I really like how you've broken it up with shorter phrases...it's poetic with a great rhythm.
ReplyDeleteNicely written, for some people the luxury of not having to make a decision, or of being able to leave the decision to someone else is pure bliss.
ReplyDeleteI know this, I work with many of these people every day :)
Great story. I hate making decisions sometimes myself but I don't think I'd go that far to the extreme.
ReplyDeleteGee, I felt oppressed too, when reading your story. Great pace!
ReplyDeleteYour ending reminded me of dog psychology, believe it or not, heh. I've been following a TV show called Dog Whisperer, which host explains how we humans tend to treat our dogs as, well, humans!
In his view (to which I agree) dogs need to be bossed around. (lol) The human is a pack leader and it's the human's will that counts. Dogs are happier being told what to do than having freedom of choice.
This is a weird analogy but I think it has something to do with your story, which I love, btw. :)
Well played! There have been times recently where I share your MC's feelings, but I don't think I'd go quite that far to avoid decisions.
ReplyDeleteReally a great description of our times. I was just buying aspirin yesterday and it took me 10 minutes to wade through all the varieties of it, that it was kind of nightmarish. It probably is easier to be a pet at times.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes worry that I will be swept away by a deluge of unwanted choice. On my recent holiday I had to shop in tiny village 'supermarkets'. One kind of bread, one kind of tomato, one juice, one cheese, one make of wine. A blissful, and tasty, week. Thankfully I didn't have to go to your characters extremes. I do hope the master/servant thing WAS her choice?
ReplyDeleteI know people who get overwhelmed by too many choices and you captured that feeling very well. Using D/s relationship as a way to eliminate choice was interesting. I never looked at it that way - though there is both freedom and power in being a sub.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting take on the bondage scene. Very evocotive.
ReplyDeleteWell, I commented elsewhere but I really like this one. It's very evocative and the pacing is just right. I agree with Pat, I think you've found your forte.
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
Very concise yet visceral slice of a submissive's emotional state. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAs Falcata said, an interesting take on bondage.
ReplyDeleteThis is so brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI just adored this, I've been back to read quite a few times but only just now was able to comment.
Freedom in bondage, what a twist!
ReplyDeleteDecisions are tough but I don't think I'd ever want this kind of freedom :)
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