7
I can’t find my off switch. I’ve looked everywhere but I’m really, really beginning to think I haven’t got one. I’ve examined every accessible inch of my body but there’s no sign. The only places I can think that it might be located are the inaccessible ones, but to get to those would involve some sharp objects and I don’t like the thought of that. Besides, they won’t give me access to the scalpels.
6
How long can a person’s battery last? If I don’t get myself switched off soon then I’m going to blink out of existence. I need to save some energy. Apart from writing these entries I’ve done little else but sit totally still. They all think it’s weird, but they’re the weird ones. They don’t realise they waste their lives with trivial stuff, things that don’t matter a bit. I’m not like that and I intend to switch off until I can do something useful with this body. Until then I’ll just sit here and look out of the window. Minimum fuss, minimum battery usage, that’s my way.
5
I write this so others will know why I was switched off and to switch me back on only if totally necessary.
4
I tried banging my head. A few times. It made sense that the switch would be in my head somewhere and that a few bumps would turn me off. But I didn’t like the noise it made when my skull smacked into the brick. It’s not the hurts — I don’t mind that — but the noise scares.
I’d seen fighting on the telly, see, and one of the people got switched off when he was hit round the head by the other guy. He flopped to the floor and flipped about like a fish on the deck. Problem is he was woken up again, without his consent.
3
I’ve had it. They can’t do this. I just want to conserve energy. But they stop me. They want me to run out! They give me this injection stuff. I now can’t stop moving. What did they do this for? Can’t they see they’re just using me up? Bastards.
I don’t know if you can tell but I find it hard to relax. Really, really hard.
2
Can’t type much. Battery low. They use drugs. I’m sure. Don’t know. What to do? Soon, must switch off, I got hold of a scalpel. Will find switch. Tonight, after lights.
1
I found it! I made a mess. Blood on the bed, they won’t like. They like the cell clean. I couldn’t see it but I must have hit it. I’m shutting down. I can feel me powering down. It was in my wrist, the left one, if you want to try it, not too deep. Can’t type much more, energy draining. Wish there wasn’t so much blood. Floor is slippy. Must tidy. If they see it they’ll get mad and try to switch me back back on.
0
Enrgy saved. Feelinnng bettre alreddy. Draning bloood dont need it noww nyway. NNNighty night.
Glenn Head hails from Wiltshire, England. Previously published fiction includes ‘The Europa Transmissions’ at 365 Tomorrows and ‘Stealth Toaster’ — a comedic piece which appeared at the sadly now defunct website somewhat.org. Glenn claims that its demise had nothing to do with him. You can find Glenn pottering about, ranting or procrastinating on his website at glennhead.co.uk.
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29 Responses to “ON/OFF • by Glenn Head”
Comments
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July 9th, 2009 at 12:58 am
[...] You can read it here http://www.everydayfiction.com/onoff-by-glenn-head/ [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Wow! Here’s one for our technological age.
A bit predictable, but I don’t reckon that matters/
July 9th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Great piece. Keeps me wondering if it’s madness, robotic abuse, or both? Either way, well done.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Clever, weird, and very effective. Great job, Glenn!
July 9th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Disturbing but good.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Very creepy and superbly done. Loved this one!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Yes, a clever story of a troubled, institutionallized man (or woman). Well done.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I found this more interesting when the MC appeared to be some sort of automaton rather than an insane person who simply thought he was one.
The question of what he was typing on came to mind once it was revealed how he was communicating. If they guy is locked up in a mental ward they’re probably not going to give him access to anything with a power cord, and those old manual typewriters have plenty of sharp objects inside them that would prove equally dangerous in the hands of the deranged.
–John
July 9th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Insufficient education of this mind electric; he should have learned earlier that he needs better constant electrical connection, not risk switch-off. Interesting to get inside the mind of someone who knows so much less about certain things than we do. Tremendous sympathy for this M/B.E. If this is based on actuality, shouldn’t someone inform him?
July 9th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Very clever story. I particularly liked the details of his delusion and the way it *almost* made sense.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Ignorance is a terrible thing. Excelsior truth.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:54 am
This was amazing and great flash fiction!
Very concise.
The protagonist worked as undefined robot/man/alien/depressed person/oppressed person/whatever.
Not having all the information didn’t detract from the story.
It made it better.
It moved to its logical conclusion with all the elements.
The “mystery” of the being and why they couldn’t turn off just added to the intrigue.
Reminded me of Outer Limits kind of writing.
Very well done.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
In institutions of all kinds electrical connections are required.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:11 am
What is Outer Limits writing?
July 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
One’s own people should never keep anything from them (except for weaponry, etc.)
July 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Predictable ending, but a fascinating descent into madness at any rate.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Bizarre but oddly fun. A solid 4.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Margie – How do you know it was a descent? Maybe those batteriesing weren’t enough, but he’s climbing.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Excellent. Too busy enjoying the results of the chill to analyze.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Roberta,
Outer Limits was a tv show,much like Twilight Zone, only more sci fi.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Well done. Great emotion.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Thoroughly enjoyed this, and it doesn’t matter if it was madness or AI/robotics–it worked equally well on both levels. And yes, very OL. In some hospitals, typewriters/word processors are utilized in occupational therapy, as pens and pencils are often considered more hazardous (don’t ask how I know).
July 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I liked this.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Great story Glenn, diary of a madman…
July 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
An excellent, fun read. Not too keen on the last line, but still a high four from me.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
cb – Thanks
July 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Pure enjoyable madness.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:12 am
i enjoyed it
March 1st, 2010 at 5:43 am
[...] been published! My flash fiction piece On/Off has been published today. You can read it here Every Day Fiction It’s a little dark, and I guess not to everyone’s taste, but I’m not here to [...]