You’re miserable. Work is hard, the hours are long and it doesn’t pay enough. You haven’t had a girlfriend for quite a while and feel very frustrated, yet the thought of trying to get back into dating, and all the effort it comes with isn’t appealing at all.
You’ve finished your work for the day, late, on a Friday. Mr Toilberg made you stay far longer than you wanted. Couple that with not sleeping the previous night due to aimlessly browsing the internet and posting on forums, you are not in a good mood.
“Hello friend” the man said as he stepped out in front of you, blocking your path as you walk home from work.
It was getting late, the last embers of dusk were fading, and the stars were gradually fading in. “Hello” you mutter and carry on walking, trying to walk around him but he moves to the side, blocking you again.
You stop and get a proper look at him, he’s wearing a dishevelled plain t-shirt that looks like it has been through the wash too many times. He’s bald, possibly in his late 30s, and has a pale, gaunt look to him with deep socketed eyes like he hadn’t slept for days.
“Look mate, I’m not in the mood sorry” you say gruffly, and again try to walk around but he blocks your way.
“Ahhh” he chuckles, a unpleasant wet sound, “but you will be!” he smiles, showing brown crooked teeth.
“Come! I have something to show you, I think you will be very interested.” he says putting a hand on your shoulder and give you a gentle push towards an alleyway nearby. You notice his right arm is strangely muscular.
“No I’m really no-” you protest but he tuts and pushes you firmer.
“Shit, he’s going to mug me” you think, heart racing. It had been a long day at work and you hadn’t slept the night before, you really don’t feel you have the energy to put up a fight.
He pushes you into the alleyway and steps round you.
“Now, this is what I want to show you”, he reaches into his pocket and produces and object that looks like a remote for a TV.
“This my friend!” he exclaims, “will change your life! Oh ho ho” he chuckles and holds the object up like ait was made of gold.
“Oh God he’s a looney” you think, still nervous, you could still get mugged but maybe he’s just a nutter and nothing will happen.
“This device isn’t for controlling TVs, no! It’s for controlling people” he says, a glimmer of madness in his eyes.
“People?” you ask, you might as well humour him.
“Yes people!” he exclaims, “If you point this at someone and press the green button then…” he trails off.
“Then what?” you ask, slightly curious even though it’s probably a load of nonsense.
“Then they become under your spell!” he waves his left hand, his right clasping the object. You realise that he stinks, he smells of something you recognise but can’t put your finger on it.
You raise an eyebrow, “Oh really?”.
“Yes, yes! If you press the green button whilst pointing this at someone they will do anything you tell them to do, anything!” he has a crazed smile on his face. “The best part is they won’t remember a thing!”
“That sounds rather sketchy…” you say uncomfortably, and take a step backwards.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! I call the object, the ‘Controller’!” he puffs his chest out proudly.
“Very creative” you mutter, what a load of nonsense.
“They’re basically unconscious during it” he continues. “They’re not aware of anything, featureless expression, can’t talk.” he pauses, and smiles lecherously, “can’t resist”
“Here”, he says thrusting the object towards you, “take it!”.
You look at the object with scepticism, “Why are giving it to me?”. You’re sure it’s just a television or some other kind of remote, it’s black and has a two buttons on it, one green and one red. “Not a very useful remote if it only has two buttons” you think to yourself.
“Because you look like you need it my friend.” he grabs your hand and places the object in it. “It’ll change your life, trust me.”
“If that’s so, then why are you giving it away?” the device feels sticky in your hand.
“Ahh”, he looks sad for a moment and looks down. “I’ve used it for long enough I think, it’s time for someone else to use it.”
He looks back up, and puts his hand on your shoulder, “Use it wisely…..or not” he winks.
“Oh and press the red button to wake them up. Just try not to….” he trails off, and waves his muscular arm, “ah you’ll figure it out.”
“Farewell friend!” he walks off quickly down the alley, his bald head reflecting a nearby light. You see it bob off into the darkness until it disappears.
“A device to make people do whatever you want?” you mutter before snorting. “What a load of shit.”
Though what if he’s right? What if it works. Imagine what you could do with it…..
Your heart starts beating faster as thoughts cross your mind of what you would do.
“Well I suppose I could try it out, there’s no harm is there?” you think, after all if it doesn’t work nothing happens, you have nothing to lose.
You turn and walk out of the alley, wondering how you should try out this device…..and who on.