Maintaining the routine

Ashwin Goyal

Aug 17, 2024

“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, baffled. “What about fun? Spontaneity?”

He froze, genuinely horrified. “Spontaneity? I’ll have time for that—between 9:00 and 9:30 PM tomorrow.”

Joining late

“Sorry, I’m late,” he said, forcing a casual tone. “The last meeting ran over.” "Your calendar was free," someone pointed out. "It was in person," he quickly added. "You know I sit next to you, right? You didn’t move." He leaned in.

Becoming Sisyphus

“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