Brainwashed

Rose called in sick. She wept buckets. She woke up in a fog, regretting having voted. Why had she voted? It didn't matter whether, what, or why she voted. She lived in a Republican country. She had done her civic duty because it was supposed to be the mature thing to do. She had been brainwashed. She had been used by politiicans who would do nothing as usual. Her vote meant nothing. The flag was red, white, and blue. Predominantly red, she thought.

She tried to picture the flag in her mind...she pictured Wal-Mart. Perhaps Wal-Mart had red plastic carts.

The man who owned Curves gave millions of dollars to the anti-abortion lobbyists each years.

What her country stood for was: big business, chains, elevator music (now Starbucks music), Karl Rove, chemical dumping, prostitutes who turned tricks at fast food restaurants (she had walked in on this in a restroom), a mysterious thing called a “Facebook page,” microchips implanted in animals and human beings, cognitive psychology and computer software.

Rose screamed at Ben, Why did you let me vote?

I think it's the right thing to do. You wanted to.

I was brainwashed. Prozac and patriotic fever.

It's gone?

Yes. I'm depressed again.

Megan brought a cup of coffee to her tearful sister. On the saucer was a joint.

I don't need this, Rose said.

You might. Today is the rest of your life. And then she wafted mysteriously away.