Word: Knackered

knackered

[nak-erd]

adjective British Slang.

exhausted; very tired: He is really knackered after work.

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               Julie and Adam trudged into their apartment, groaning and dragging their feet.  Julie managed to make her way to the couch, where she collapsed into the cushions.  Adam did not wait, and simply lay on the floor the moment the door was shut behind them.  He did not care that it had not been cleaning in weeks, simply enjoying the fact that he was not standing.

               “Why did we agree to do that?” Julie asked.  Her voice cracked and some part of her was amazed she had mustered enough energy to say anything.

               “Because we’re stupid.” Adam said, tilting his head just enough that he could speak out of the corner of his mouth.

               Julie wanted to protest, but she lacked the energy to do so.  Instead, she simply grunted in such a way that offered only partial agreement.  Once that was said, neither attempted to speak for several minutes.  Instead, they simply reveled in immobility, however temporary it might be. 

               “Seriously, three days.” Julie muttered.  “What were we thinking?  And why would anyone want to stay awake for three days straight?”

               “I stand by my previous statement.”

               “We didn’t have to go, did we?”

               “No, but we did.”

               More silence followed.  “Why?”

               “You asked that, and I answered.”

               “Oh yeah.  Should we get into bed or something?”

               Adam tilted his head from side to side, considering Julie’s suggestion.  “Bed would be nice, yes.  But then again, it requires that we move.”

               “Good point.  Are you at least going to get off the floor?”

               Adam gave his best attempt at a shrug.  Julie felt that to be a perfectly acceptable answer.  She also made no attempt to convince him to leave his faux-linoleum resting place.  She was even wondering how she had summoned the energy to make it as far as she had. 

               “Hey, Julie?” Adam said.

               “Yeah?”

               “If we ever get invited to another thing like this again, you know what to do, right?”

               “I have a few ideas.  Most of them involve horrible violence against whoever asks us to go.”

               “Good girl.”

               The room was filled with the sound of breathing that slowly grew louder.  Julie leaned back as far as she dared, allowing her to just barely see Adam.  His face was tilted to one side and his eyes were closed.  If it wasn’t for his rhythmic breathing, she would have feared the worst.  As it was, she simply envied his ability to fall asleep in the most uncomfortable positions possible.  He would be paying for it with a stiff neck when he woke up, but for now, he was lost in blissful sleep.  Julie pulled her legs up onto the couch and positioned herself so that she was as comfortable as possible.  Considering the couch was too small, that was difficult.  But once she was laying down, she did not care as much. 

               “Good night Adam.  Let’s never do this again.” She said.

               She closed her eyes, and the sound of gentle snoring soon filled the air.

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Sleep is good.  If done properly, it makes you less tired afterwards.  I always seem to miss that "properly" thing though.  Yeah, I'm not much of a morning person, especially since I don't drink coffee.  

Word: Obsurantism

obscurantism

[uh b-skyoo r-uh n-tiz-uh m, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uh m]

noun

opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.

deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.

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               “Is everyone here?” Asked the man known to the group as Calculus as he entered the hidden room.  He asked more out of habit than anything.  There should be thirteen people left after the last meeting, instead there were only ten, counting himself.

               “We’re missing Lithography, German History, and Cardiovascular System.” Said a thin woman who had taken the pseudonym Astronomy.

               “Damn.” Calculus said.  “Do we know what happened to them?”

               Astronomy shook her head.  The other members of the group looked ashamed or saddened.  Silence hung in the air.  Calculus clenched his fist.  The lack of certainty about members of the group, especially since one of them was his second in command, was hard for him to take.  One of the group’s youngest members, dubbed 2000’s Popular Culture, hesitantly spoke up.

               “I don’t know about Litho, but I saw German and Cardio get taken by a bunch of Obscurians.”

               The gasps of shock from the group members was overshadowed by the string of curses that escaped the mouth of its leader.

               “Two.  Two more of us gone.” Astronomy whispered.

               “Two more than we can afford to lose.  At least Lithography is still around.” Calculus said.

               “Hopefully.”

               “He is.  That man can hide anywhere.  If anyone could escape the Obscurians, it’s him.  It’s one of the reasons why he knows the safe houses.”

               “What if he was taken though?” Another member, an older woman called Air Currents, asked nervously. 

               Calculus did not answer.  He thought long and hard, but could not come up with anything.  He chose instead to change the subject.

               “It doesn’t matter.  Litho can hide as long as needed.  What matters is that two other members got taken.  That means we have days at best, hours at worst.  We need to pack as much as we can and get moving.” 

               Every member of the group got to work.  The younger members gathered and shouldered as much as they could carry, while the older members made sure nothing would be lost before gathering what little they could.  Nobody was happy to be moving again, and the work was done in near silence.  That ended when the door slid open.  Everyone held their breath, ready to drop everything and run at a moment’s notice.  They relaxed when they saw a tall, lanky man entering.

               “Lithography.” Calculus said, relief coloring the word.

               “Sorry I’m late.” Lithography said while rubbing the back of his balding head. 

               “Don’t be, my friend.  We figured you’d gone to ground after…after what happened.  I’m just glad you’re okay.”

               “What happened…ah, I see.  I don’t see some of our members.  They were taken?”

               The silence did enough to answer.  Lithography nodded at nothing and looked around the room.

               “So, that leaves ten.  Ten seekers of knowledge, and all ready to go.  Backs loaded, ready to head to the next safe house.”

               Calculus felt a sudden chill.  “Lithography, there are eleven of us left.  You forgot to count yourself.

               “Did I?  No, I don’t think I forgot anything.  You see…” Lithography slid his sleeve back to reveal a hidden arm band with a small button on it.  All eyes widened when they saw it.  Most tried to run immediately, but it was too late.  “I was never one of you.”

               The button was pressed and a matter of seconds later, A dozen men clad in dark, heavy armor and bearing weapons of various types, both lethal and non, burst into the room.  The members of the group did their best to run or hide, but it did nothing.  They were either too old to run, or carried burdens too heavy to run in.  Each of them was roughly and painfully brought down.  It was sheer fortune that none of the Obscurians needed to use their weapons.

               “Lithography, you traitor!” Calculus roared, even as his arms were wrenched back by one of the armed invaders.

               “First of all, my name is D-237.  And traitor?  I think not.  As far as I’m concerned, all of you are traitors to the state.  You all pursue knowledge, something expressly forbidden by the State.  For, as we all know, knowledge must be contained, lest it destroy us all.  You have broken that sacred law, and so shall be called traitors to all.  Goodbye, Calculus.  Such a shame I never learned your real name, but I suppose it doesn’t matter much.  After all, you won’t be around for much longer.”

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Yes, this is inspired by that high school English staple, Fahrenheit 451.  If you haven't read it yet (is that even possible these days?) I suggest you do.  It's a staple book for a reason, after all. 

Word: Diffident

diffident

[dif-i-duhnt]

adjective

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

Archaic . distrustful.

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               “Guys, I don’t think I can do this.” Josh said as he poked his head out just enough to see the audience.

               “Oh, don’t give us that.  You’ll do fine.” Ben replied.

               “No, I can’t.  There’s no way I’m good enough.  They’ll see I suck, and then I’ll get laughed at and nobody will want anything to do with me and—”

               “Okay, I’m going to stop you right there.” Chris said, placing a hand on Josh’s shoulder.  “Josh, buddy, you’ll do fine.  You’ve been practicing for months now, just for this day.  You do not suck.”

               “Yes, I do.  I know.  I’ve listened to myself on a recording, and it’s terrible.”

               Ben and Chris looked at each other out of the corner of their eyes.  Josh was a great guy, but it could be hard to be friends with him at times like these.  They just needed a way to make him forget about his nerves.

               “How about this.” Ben said.  “If you go out there, I’ll have Nichole set you up with one of her friends.”

               “Why not just set him up with Nichole?” Chris asked. 

This earned him a punch in the arm for daring to suggest such a thing.  Ben liked Josh just fine, but not enough for a sister date.  Having said sister set Josh up with one of her very attractive friends, on the other hand, was just fine.  And it was an idea that Josh was considering.

His face turned light red as e thought about it.  “Can…can she get me a date with Sally?”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Good choice, by the way.” Chris said.  “Course, hard to have a bad choice with that group.”

Another quick jab to his arm kept any further comments from being formed.  Josh looked like he was about ready to go out, but he froze.

“What…what if she hates me?” He asked.

“Who, Sally?” Ben asked.  Josh nodded.  “Well, that’s a risk all guys take when they date a girl.  At least you have the advantage of knowing something about Sally going in, and you don’t even have to cyber-stalk her first.”

This did not seem to comfort Josh much, if at all.

“But, what if—”

“No.” Chris said sharply.  “Don’t go down that road, man.  Just don’t.  You just need to have more confidence in yourself.”

“Confidence in what?  I don’t have any skills, I’m not good looking, I’m just…just…well, you know.”

“Okay, I have to know why you think that about yourself.” Ben asked.  “I mean, I’m pretty sure nobody thinks that kind of stuff about you.”

“Probably because nobody thinks about me.”

“Oh, that’s not it at all, trust me.  Now just get out there, do your thing like you practiced, and then I’ll see about that date.  And don’t worry so much, you’ll do fine.  They’ll all love you.”

“Plus, you might not even need Nichole and Ben to get you a lady friend once this is all over with.” Chris said.  He slapped Josh lightly on the back, pushing him further towards the curtain.  “Now get out there and wow them.”

“Okay, okay.”  Josh said.  His breathing was fast and heavy, and he felt a cold sweat start to form on his back.  “I’ll go, but don’t be surprised if I suck and everyone hates me.”

Before either of the other two could say a word, Josh strode out onto the stage, using quick steps to hide his nerves.  He looked out onto the audience, took a deep breath, and began.

****************************************

I used to act when I was a kid.  And by act, I mean I was in a few community plays for a little while.  It was mainly minor rolls, nothing noteworthy.  I grew out of it pretty quickly though.  Now I'd probably freeze up the moment I got out on stage.  I...I don't like big crowds.  I just don't.