Veridis Quo

Chapter 51 - The Great Escape

The sports channel wasn't as boring as it seemed. Without direct access to the internet at the palm of my hand, my adaptive nature kicked into gear and adjusted accordingly.

I had no doubt that I was addicted to the screen, who wasn't nowadays? Maybe the older generation and even then seldom.

The cellphone used to be a means of pure communications, it was unfortunate that it became a miniaturized entertainment box – stealing all of our attention and destroying long term memory.

However, that was a topic for deeper discussion, not in the middle of a soccer match.

„Come on! Pass him the ball!"

Initially, I didn't understand why people watched sports. Unless they played or were somehow involved in the field, why would they care about a dozen dudes kicking, dribbling, throwing, and doing a list of other stuff with a bunch of balls? I wasn't doing them a favor by describing it in this humorous manner.

But without the, you know, miniature computer in my possession, and no books, I was bound to itch for stimulation.

I couldn't imagine what maximum security prisons were like...

Out of options, I settled for the old television in the room I was assigned. I did not regret trading a greater evil for a lesser one.

„Pass it! Pass iiiit!" I sat on the edge of my seat, the edge of the bed as there was no chair.

Glued to the screen, I watched with baited breath as the yellow shirt team advanced onto the opposition's goal, the key players dodging attempts to intercept their attack.

I saw why people went as far as gambling on the scores of the games. It was exhilarating! I didn't have to know the rules of the game to enjoy it!

Perhaps I was so bored that it grew on me, but at least I had something to occupy me for decent chunks of the day.

When I wasn't sleeping, getting escorted to dine with the yakuza or having a packaged meal delivered to my room, showering, etc. I was aptly watching the television.

It was a little maddening, I had to admit.

I really missed my phone. If I didn't have a backup in the digital cloud...

The freakout would've been legendary. That wasn't a flex.

We, as a society, have become so reliant on our cellular devices and technology as a whole that we've forgotten the basics such as knitting, sewing, cooking, husbandry, farming, and socializing.

That was a sad one – the inability to socialize. That wasn't directed at the mentally unwell, the real locos diagnosed by a doctor and not an online test that aimed to garner clicks and traffic.

Never in my life did I believe a stranger on the web who claimed to be unhealthy. If you have a problem, go to the doctor, get a receipt, and then start guilt-tripping the rest of us.

They were my favorite group of users to troll... too easy at times, almost made me pity them...

Now that I thought about it, cyber bullying was kind of... pointless.

To clarify, I did not condone any form of bullying. Starting conflicts in the real world was embarrassing, at least for me. I'd rather mind my own business and others do the same for me, that way everyone's chilling.

The web, on the other hand, was a sandbox. If one didn't like something they saw, there was this cool block button which did as you might've guessed. The only way to do the same in real life is...

Not good, that's for sure.

In addition, the web was like a club for all; no one was forced to stay, entry and departure were available at any time!