Becoming Sisyphus

Ashwin Goyal

Aug 18, 2024

“15 more minutes,” he said, staring at his cards. “I just need a chance to recover.”

The other nodded, shuffling the deck. “Sure, just 15 more.”

The night dragged on, fortunes flipping, neither one letting go.

When one lost, the other simply said, “15 more minutes,” until it was impossible to tell who was winning, or if it even mattered anymore.

Maintaining the routine

“I have to go,” he announced, almost panicked. “Go? Now? It’s only 9:30!” they exclaimed. “No can do,” he said, eyes wide with urgency. “If I’m not asleep by 10:02, my REM cycle will be thrown off, and then my whole week is shot.” They stared,

Holding in high regard

"This is the only way. I’m certain. Nothing else even comes close. I’ve done it a hundred times. A thousand. There’s absolutely no better way to do it." His colleague, the one he always looked up to, suggested, "But what if we did it