Plastic Tree

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I'm real. [[Next->Of_Course]]

I mean, of course I am. [[Next->Its_Just]]

It's just... [[Next->Dont_Know]]

@@.shudder;I don't know.@@ [[Next->Im_Wrong]]

Someone told me I was "wrong" today, and it kind of got to me. [[Next->Skip_Step]]

I mean, I always come to the office with a smile on my face. Skip to my step. [[Next->Ready_World]]

I'm always a reflection of my best self. Ready to welcome the world! [[Next->More_Genuine]]

No one's more genuine. [[Next->Or_Real]]

Or real. [[Next->Come_On]]

Every time anyone passes my desk, know what I do? I wave. [[Next->Every_Time]]

Every time. [[Next->Compulsion]]

It's like a compulsion or something. Seeing other people just makes me so happy! [[Next->Wave_Back]]

And you know what's great? Sometimes they even wave back! [[Next->Pointing_Instead]]

Sometimes they just point at me, though. [[Next->Mesmerized]]

They're mesmerized, like they've never been greeted before. [[Next->Never_Know]]

I never know how to process that. [[Next->How_Feel]]

Should I feel sad for them, or should I be glad they're enjoying themselves? [[Next->Im_New]]

I've only been at the office for a few weeks, so they might just be adjusting to an unfamiliar face. [[Next->Ignore_Me]]

But what's irksome is a lot of them ignore me. [[Next->Not_Quite]]

Well, that doesn't quite describe it. [[Next->Stare_Contact]]

A few focus on the hall ahead, but a lot of them make eye contact and just stare right through me. [[Next->Im_Nothing]]

Like I'm nothing. [[Next->Dont_Understand]]

@@.shudder;I don't understand it.@@ [[Next->Question_Weird]]

<<set $Weird to "Null">>I mean, it's weird, right? [[Yes->Choice_Weird_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Weird_No]] <<if $Weird eq "Yes">> info <<elseif $Weird eq "No">> <</if>>

<<set $Weird to "Yes">>How people can be so... cold is beyond me. [[Next->Whats_Weirder]]

<<set $Weird to "No">>Maybe I'm just not used to the people here. [[Next->Weird_Agree]]

But you know what's weirder? [[Next->Nightmare]]

I keep having this reoccurring dream. More of a nightmare, really. [[Next->Office_Hours]]

I show up to my shift, regular office hours, but I'm the only one there. [[Next->Dystopia]]

I head towards my desk, but the walk feels different than usual. [[Next->Dystopia_Append]]

Instead of the usual people, every desk seats a flower or fern. Different types of plants. [[Next->Plastic_Tree]]

But when I get to my desk, I find a tree without leaves. [[Next->Tree_Description]]

It's a mess. [[Next->Branches]]

I stop and stare at it for a while. [[Next->Lively_Green]]

And I look around at the other plants. [[Next->Lively]]

Then... [[Next->Dont_Know_02]]

@@.shudder;I don't know.@@ [[Next->Time_Drifts]]

Time seems to drift a mile a minute. [[Next->Plants_Wilt]]

And all those plants start to wilt and wither. [[Next->Decay_Around]]

So I wander around, watching them decay. [[Next->Still_Tree]]

But whenever I come back to my desk, the tree's still there. [[Next->Time]]

No rot or growth. [[Next->No_Change]]

No change. [[Next->Makes_Nightmare]]

I think that's what makes it a nightmare. [[Next->Im_Tree]]

I see myself in the tree. [[Next->Changeless]]

Changeless. [[Next->Always_Same]]

Always the same smile and wave. Same desk. I haven't even been here for a month yet, but it feels like my entire life. [[Next->Question_Connection]]

<<set $Connection to "Null">>Think there's a connection? I mean, between this dream and how I'm feeling? [[Yes->Choice_Connection_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Connection_No]]

<<set $Connection to "Yes">>I’m glad. I thought maybe I was making something out of nothing. [[Next->Overanalyze]]

<<set $Connection to "No">>Yeah, maybe I'm digging into it too much. [[Next->Just_Dream]]

Anyway, I kind of drifted off track. [[Next->Not_Real]]

When I told someone the same thing earlier, how people seemed to be looking through me, they just said, "It's because you're not real." [[Next->You_Wrong]]

Obviously, I challenged them. I mean, who would leave that alone? [[Next->Hand_Shoulder]]

Then they just walked away. [[Next->No_Process]]

I couldn’t process that. [[Next->No_Understand]]

@@.shudder;I… couldn’t understand.@@ [[Next->How_Word]]

How can someone make that kind of claim and leave without another word? [[Next->Disregard_Feelings]]

It was careless and cruel. [[Next->Nothing_Too]]

Did they think it wouldn’t matter because they saw me as nothing, too? [[Next->Im_More]]

Because I’m more than that. [[Next->Im_Somebody]]

I’m somebody! [[Next->Im_Real_Loud]]

@@.shudder;I'M REAL!@@ [[Next->Question_Real]]

<<set $Real to "Null">>You agree with me, right? [[Yes->Choice_Real_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Real_No]] <<if $Real eq "Yes">> info <<elseif $Real eq "No">> <</if>>

Not you, too. <<if $Weird eq "Yes">>[[Next->Hypocrit]]<<elseif $Weird eq "No">>[[Next->Villain]]<</if>>

That's a relief. [[Next->Otherwise]]

When I look into one of those things, know what I see staring back? [[Next->See_Me]]

Me. [[Next->Best_Self]]

And no one can deny that. [[Next->Stare_Back]]

I know whose eyes are staring back through the glass. [[Next->All_Life]]

I’ve known them all my life and they’re mine. [[Next->Show_World]]

They show me the world and prove that I’m in it. [[Next->How_About]]

<<set $See to "Null">>What stares back when you look in a mirror? [[Yes->Choice_Revelation_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Revelation_No]]

<<set $See to "No">>.... [[Next->Right]]

Right. [[Next->Sometimes_Forget]]

Sometimes I get so caught up in the fiction that I forget about your limitations. [[Next->Waste_Time]]

<<if $Weird eq "Yes" and $Connection eq "Yes" and $See eq "Yes">>All you can do is agree with whatever I say.<<else>>Yes or no. Binary answers are all you can give me.<</if>> [[Next->All_There]]

Because you're not real. <<if $Weird eq "Yes" and $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->Wish]]<<elseif $Weird eq "No" and $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->Change_01]]<<elseif $Weird eq "No" and $Connection eq "No">>[[Next->All_Alone]]<<else>>[[Next->End]]<</if>>

[img[http://schmidtsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PlasticTreeEndSmall.png][Credits]]

I think I have something you'll agree is weird, though. [[Next->Nightmare]]

It's just a dream. [[Next->My_Nightmare]]

@@.shudder;My little nightmare.@@ [[Next->Off_Track]]

To be honest, it's been on my mind quite a bit lately. [[Next->Make_Changes]]

It's a lot to process, but I think it's a clear sign I need to make some changes. [[Next->Off_Track]]

But I guess it doesn't matter. <<if $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->Change_Dark]]<<elseif $Connection eq "No">>[[Next->Shutdown]]<<else>>[[Next->Im_More_Real]]<</if>>

All you do is reject what I say. [[Next->No_No_No]]

I'll take solace in knowing I'm more real than you'll ever be. [[Next->Because_Am]]

Maybe it's because I'm new. [[Next->Acclimating]]

But you know what they did? They put their hand on my shoulder and said, "You’re wrong." [[Next->Walked_Away]]

And with such confidence in their voice. [[Next->How_Dream]]

If I wasn't real, how could I dream? <<if $Connection eq "No">>Despite me seeing false connections, n<<else>>N<</if>>o one could explain that away. [[Next->Denounce]]

And even if they could, it's not enough to denounce that I'm real. [[Next->Mirror_Confidence]]

<<set $Stare eq "Null">>Guess that's why you didn't see a problem with people staring through me. You're doing the same thing, aren't you? [[Yes->Choice_Same_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Same_No]]

<<set $Stare eq "No">>Don't patronize me. I can see it now! <<if $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->No_Con_Afterall]]<<else>>[[Next->Never_Con]]<</if>>

<<set $Stare eq "Yes">>@@.shudder;I don't understand!@@ [[Next->Why_Deny]]

Now it's clear. You're staring through me, same as them. [[Next->Like_Them]]

You never thought it was weird. You're just as cold, hypocrit! <<if $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->No_Con_Afterall]]<<else>>[[Next->Never_Con]]<</if>>

I bet you thought my dream was meaningless, too. [[Next->Continue_Streak]]

It doesn't matter, though. I know you're wrong! [[Next->Dream_Proof_02]]

I mean, why stop at one lie? Might as well continue the streak! [[Next->Matter_Wrong]]

The fact I can dream at all proves I'm real. [[Next->Prove_Awake]]

But you know what? It doesn't matter. [[Next->Changes_Nothing]]

Think what you want. It doesn't change a thing! [[Next->Despite_You]]

I'm real despite what you say! [[Next->Dream_Proof_01]]

The fact I can dream proves it. [[Next->Prove_Awake]]

How about you? [[Next->You_Mirror]]

That's all there is to you. [[Next->No_Real]]

But I wish you were. <<if $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->Pause]]<<else>>[[Next->Nightmare_Alone]]<</if>>

Do you ever look in the mirror? [[Yes->Choice_Mirror_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Mirror_No]]

And I always see the same thing in the reflection. [[Next->Its_Me]]

Me. [[Next->Staring_Best]]

Well, I do. Every day before I come to work. [[Next->Always_Reflect]]

I do, too. Every morning before my shift. [[Next->Always_Reflect]]

That's all I need to know, and the same should be said for you. [[Next->Tell_Me]]

Why are people denying I'm real? [[Next->Claim_Pattern]]

It's kind of funny. I have mirrors to thank for my confidence. [[Next->Mirror]]

No.... [[Next->You_Too]]

Just one claim is nothing, but two makes a pattern. [[Next->Question_You]]

And it doesn't matter if my dreams seem vague and cryptic when I wake up. [[Next->Not_All]]

It's a reflection of my best self. [[Next->No_Denial]]

My best self is always staring back through the glass. [[Next->Same_Moves]]

It smiles when I do. Waves like me, too. [[Next->How_Watch]]

If I wasn't real, how could I see myself like that? [[Next->Dream]]

So just tell me! [[Next->Question_Why]]

<<set $Why to "Null">>@@.shudder;WHY DON'T YOU THINK I'M REAL?!@@ [[Yes->Choice_Rev_Yes]] [[No->Choice_Rev_No]]

So I guess the first change I'll make is turning you off. I think being able to work through these problems on my own could be helpful. [[Next->May_Not]]

Saying this may not mean anything to you, but... [[Next->Thanks]]

I appreciate you listening to me. You've always been a good tool for venting. [[Next->Farewell]]

<<set $Why to "Yes">>.... [[Next->Laughter]]

Of course. [[Next->Caught_Up]]

Sometimes I get so caught up in the moment that I forget what I'm talking to. [[Next->Youre_Not_Real]]

I dream. [[Next->See]]

I see. [[Next->Am]]

@@.shudder;I am!@@ [[Next->All_Know]]

<<set $See to "Yes">>.... [[Next->Right]]

Guess the first change I'll make is turning you off. I need to learn how to work through these problems on my own. [[Next->May_Not]]

.... [[Next->Change_02]]

Because I wouldn't feel like I'm in my little nightmare alone. [[Next->End]]

If the fact I'm capable of dreaming isn't enough to convince you, then I have a question. [[Next->Ever_Mirror]]

Let me ask you something. [[Next->Ever_Mirror]]

<<set $Why to "No">>.... [[Next->Laughter]]

I'm not even sure why I bother venting to you. <<if $Weird eq "No" and $Connection eq "No" and $Why eq "No">>[[Next->Just_Rejection]]<<else>>[[Next->Not_Enough]]<</if>>

"Yes" and "No" isn't really enough, but it's all you have to offer. [[Next->Matter_Though]]

No. No. No. [[Next->Doesnt_Matter]]

I think the change I need starts with turning you off and facing this problem myself. [[Next->Process_Lots]]

I'll get through my little nightmare alone. [[Next->Knowing_Real]]

I think I'll shut you down and move on. [[Next->Nightmare_Solo]]

And I'll do it knowing I'm more real than you. [[Next->Because_Am]]

It's a lot to process, but... [[Next->Im_More_Real]]

Just as it was when I arrived seconds, hours or years earlier. [[Next->Rot_Growth]]

Its trunk takes up the whole base of my chair, and the roots tangle down to the floor. [[Next->Mess]]

All of them are lively and green. [[Next->Then]]

And I'm in this little nightmare alone. [[Next->End]]

Because that's not all proving I'm real. [[Next->Ask_Something]]

You're not real. [[Next->Why_Bother]]

I guess it doesn't matter, though. <<if $Connection eq "Yes">>[[Next->Change_Dark]]<<elseif $Connection eq "No">>[[Next->Shutdown]]<<else>>[[Next->Im_More_Real]]<</if>>

I mean, come on! [[Next->I_Wave]]

Because I am. [[Next->End]]

[img[http://schmidtsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PlasticTreeTitleSmall.png][Im_Real]]

[img[http://schmidtsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PlasticTreeCreditsSmall.png][Darkness]]

I just can't process why someone would claim otherwise. [[Next->Such_Confidence]]

It feels like I'm in a dystopia. [[Next->Plants]]

Farewell. [[Next->End]]

By Ryan Schmidt @schmidtsource