Red Rock

Chapter 1: Doctor (Part 1)

Chapter 1 Doctor (Part 1)

Daire awoke in a haze, sprawled across his bed feeling more tired than when he went to sleep the night before. The room was dimly lit through the partially closed blinds at the end of his bed, letting in meager beams of light that barely illuminated his floor which was littered with clothing from weeks of slothful behavior. Daire slumped out from his covers rubbing his hands through his pitch black hair and stalled for a moment to gain full consciousness. He let out a yawn as and moved his arms in a circular motion as he made his way to the hall. The floor creaked as his long half-witted strides hit the floor with a 'thud'. Passing the bathroom and the guest room, he walked through the aging smoky-white hallway to the stairs and then to the main floor.

Like every morning in the O'Connor household the news channel was on the television at an unnecessarily high volume and Doctor O'Connor was shuffling through his papers in the kitchen. Daire paused to watch the television showing the post speech interview that his very own uncle had given the previous night. "Doctor O'Connor, if you truly believe that your movement will bring balance to the nation's economy, then why has it only caused harm to large and small businesses with nationwide strikes and riots? Some say your plan has no purpose other than feeding off the negative emotions of those in need."

"It's called a movement for a reason," Doctor O'Connor started. "And unfortunately we have a long way to go to recover from the years of damage this flawed system has forced on us. What you are seeing is not a result of the Proletariat Movement, but a transformation necessary to achieve equality."

Daire grinned at the screen then made his way to the kitchen. "They're making you look like a villain out there, eh, Ed?"

Doctor O'Connor was staring down at his speech papers, not even batting an eye towards Daire. "That's because it's working," he said. "Soon we will have a fairly judged working class with the exact same opportunities as the middle and upper class." Doctor O'Connor paused and shook his head, still staring down at his speech papers. "You did well last night kiddo, thanks for the help."

Daire scavenged through the kitchen cupboards to find the last clean bowl and set it on the counter with an almost empty box of cereal. "You're the one who killed it. I just sat there smiling and clapping when everyone else did," he said, pouring the rest of the cereal in his bowl and getting the crumbled saw dust bran and sugar that made its way to the bottom of the bag. He opened the fridge hoping for there to be a carton of milk inside and was met with disappointment. The fridge was vast and empty, only containing a bottle of mustard, olives, and expired mayonnaise.

"It's all about how you present yourself, Daire, and you certainly looked your part." Doctor O'Connor turned away from his papers towards Daire for the first time and smiled. "Now get some damn clothes on you primitive ape. I don't know why you walk around here all the time half naked."

Daire laughed and shoveled the cereal into his mouth with his hand. "I'll tell you what Ed," he said with his mouth still half full. "If you clean the dishes and go get some groceries like you promised, then I will always be clothed in your presence."

Doctor O'Connor threw his hands to his head. "Oh Shit! I keep forgetting, Daire. I'll pick some up tonight. I promise!"

Daire rolled his eyes and clawed the last bit of cereal into his mouth. "Alright Ed," he said, making his way out of the kitchen. "I'm gonna go to work now, and there better be groceries when I get back."

"Yeah, Yeah, there will be. Go to work you bum."

*

It was a chilly fall morning and the bus stop was crowded as usual with people overflowing from the shelter onto the sidewalks. The wind made everyone huddle close for warmth and the dark clouds above were still deciding whether or not they should make the day more miserable than it already was. Daire held his tall coat close with his arms crossed and head tilted down to cover any gaps where heat could escape. His tall lean stature did not hold heat well and it did not help that he was breaking the wind for others. He thought of leaving his spot and migrating to the back of the hoard of people but decided better of it when he caught an eye from a smaller elderly woman who clearly appreciated his service as a shield.