Modern Way

-Present Day-

-Ben-

What happened to all of us? I looked around the lobby of the apartment. Our friends looked half-asleep or worn out from the heat. I frowned. This is just depressing. Something has to be done. I stood up on the table.

“People!” I shouted. “What are we doing?!” All eyes looked at me. Izumi patted as she fanned herself on the couch.

“It’s too hot,” she complained.

I nodded. “Yes, I know. But doesn’t have to be like this!” The children gave me strange looks, but I still spoke. “Why are we doing this?”

“There’s nothing to do?” Russell asked. I pressed my hand to my forehead.

“I know that! But why?”

Julie narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

I dropped my shoulders. “Look at us! It shouldn’t have to be this way! We are sitting around, wasting away! What are we doing with ourselves? Most of us live with our parents and have no jobs!”

“Uh… we’re under age,” Taro pointed out.

“Not you guys,” I said, waving him off. “I’m talking about the twenty plus crowd!” I held out my arms. “We could do so much more with our lives. But what are we doing? Wasting away and looking miserable.”

“Okay! What is the point you’re trying to make?” Lisa asked. I dropped my arms to my sides.

“We need to do something better with our lives!” I complained. “We need to get up and do something better with our lives!” I pumped my fist in the air. “Who’s with me?” Even the crickets didn’t know what to think about my speech.

“Babe,” Julie said.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Shut up.”

I blinked with a blank stare. “But--!”

“It’s too hot.” Her tone said, “Please don’t fuck with me today. It’s too hot, but that won’t stop me from getting up from this beanbag chair and whooping your ass around this room.” I lowered my head.

“Yes, dear,” I mumbled. I pressed my lips together as I climbed off the table and took a seat. Oh well, I tried.