Stephanie at BeKindRewrite has once again provided her weekly prompts for Inspiration Monday IX.
Dear Jimmy,
Well, it’s pretty much what I expected. There are many rooms and levels here. I’m in the TV section, where we are shuttled back and forth between soccer and CNN. We are given plenty of fluids but there are no bathrooms. Nobody talks about why they’re here because we’re not allowed to speak, but each of us knows our sins. We are not allowed books, pencils, or paper. I have to hand it to him, it’s all pretty ingeniously planned for ultimate discomfort. I guess this is permanent, but since no questions are allowed I assume it is. If we fall asleep we are shaken and shown pictures of honor killings and have to praise Allah. Complete attention to the televisions are strictly enforced—at the end of each day we are tested, and if we answer a question wrong the volume is cranked to maximum. This creates dissent among the inmates, which the guards enjoy. If I am caught daydreaming I am singled out to clean the game show room while cranky retired people follow me around describing in detail their recent surgeries while I am forced to politely feign interest. I believe these people are apparitions but they are real enough to me.
Well hon, gotta go. They’re repeating the same tragedies on CNN for the umpteenth time today, but claim there are updates, so I’ve got to pay attention. I don’t want to tell you what I had to do to the guard to smuggle this message out, it’ll just piss you off and I know you have your own problems.
Love,
Debra
Find an Outlet 
Perfect description of hell. Of course, everyday reality as well!
Everyday reality is a sort of hell for many. I could have made this much, much worse—but didn’t want to bring animals into it.
Hahaha… wickedly funny. I really like that you used the letter format to present the piece in. Great idea.
Soccer and CNN, eh? Guess I’ll see you around there somewhere. Lol.
Well Scribbla if you’ve been a bad boy I’ll see you there! I definitely have my regrets of bad behavior…but hope I’ve paid up by my life on this plane.
Plenty of fluids but no bathrooms? Now that is my idea of hell. An eternally full bladder.
So clever, as usual.
Thank you Kay. I honestly don’t know how people can guzzle water all day…
Initial thoughts upon reading -’Room With A View’ meets ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. Followed by the music of the Talking Heads. Not a bad idea, though, to send people a ‘Post Card’ from the place we are within. Hotel Conflicting Thoughts. The Museum of Discontent. Sell Your Soul Gardens.
Edgy, hard and yet compassionate in the end. A creative kick in the pants for me.
Mr. Howl, you are an inspiration. Those are great. I couldn’t think of a damn title, now they’re pouring out…The Last Resort, The Final Flophouse, The Hostile Hostel, The Thug Shack, Sinner’s Spa, Guilty Gates, Lowlife Lodge, The Sinister Arms, Malevolent Manor, Iniquitous Inn, Coldblooded Cottage, Reprobate’s Roadhouse…stop me.
Thank you. I really should check with you first!
Funny!
I would work extra hard at not falling asleep just so I wouldn’t have to head to the game room.
Ha ha, it’s either that or reality shows! Yuck! Thanks for writing.
Genius from the first sentence on.
Thank you Stephanie, it’s all you.
Wonderful creation! I feel this place, and then near the end of the piece, I think I might already be there in real true life! We got bathrooms, so I guess I need to quit whining.
LOL Yay for bathrooms!
I’d settle for a bucket but there aren’t any of them there either. You just have to hold it. Thanks for writing Carl, appreciate it.
Loved the humor in this.
Thanks Patti. I guess hell is all relative…or maybe that’s relatives!
LOL We won’t go there!