8:00 am - Monday Morning
//Kara is perched in her cubicle, enthusiastically typing code for a company project. She graduated with her bachelor's in Philosophy a year ago, and felt pressured to get a job so that she could obtain her independence. This job isn't really what she wants, but she's [[grateful]] for the opportunity despite it not even being in her field. She also reaallly likes the money////4:00 pm Monday//
//Kara signs off for the day, and [[bounces]] away from her desk. As she drives away from the office, her heart jumps into her throat. Her mind disregards the uneasy feelings as nothing more than a case of light impostor syndrome////Hump Day 8:00 am//
//Kara is feeling the strain from all the appearances that she has to keep up. She's trying her best to stay positive, but it's not enough to bury how bored she is.//
(text-color: #B90709) [...so [[leave]]?]
(text-color: #B90709) [Why are you shushing me!!]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...because she cannot be distracted right now]
(text-color: #B90709) [I just asked a [[simple]] question--]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [A manipulative question!](text-color:#0E0E91)[We have responsibilities Ruby. Quitting is not an option right] [[now]]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [What] [[for?]](text-color:#B90709)[Can she at least look] [[elsewhere?]] (text-color:#B90709) [...because this is bullshit]
(text-color:#B90709)[we've known for some time now... she didn't even go to [[school]] for this](text-color:#0E0E91) [Tried to tell you philosophy was a stupid major unless we were gonna go for the [[professor]] route...]
(text-color:#B90709) [Yeah in the same way you said that buying a [[house]] was a good idea] (text-color:#0E0E91) [In terms of building wealth, and stabilzing ourself to withstand the unpredictability of this current economy...yes it was]
(text-color:#B90709) [Well]
(text-color:#B90709)[Fuck [[this]] economy!] (text-color:#0E0E91) [Let's calm down. How about we just [[go home]] and relax. Still got that groupon for a spa experience.]
(text-color:#B90709) [...Nah. The time is now. I say we [[quit]]!!]
(text-color:#B90709) [...Maybe you're right, but we should still quit. This place sucks]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Fair enough. How about we draft a letter, and [[clean]] up our resumé...]
(text-color:#B90709) [Fine](text-color:#0E0E91) [....You mean right now?]
(text-color:#B90709) [Yep]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Don't you think we at least need to write a resignation? Maybe edit our resumé?]
(text-color:#B90709) [We can do that away from this place, in our pijamas...maybe with [[bourbon]]]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Oh shit!! We just bought a house... wait this is a bad idea]
(text-color:#B90709) [We got savings, and if all else fails...we'll sell]//Kara goes into her Dropbox, and pulls up a pre-typed resignation letter. She prints it out, signs it, and promptly hands it to her supervisor.//
(text-color:#0E0E91) [K... We just quit]
(text-color:#B90709) [Woo!!! Freedom]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [K... I guess I can get used to this?]
(text-color:#B90709) [I think we should [[celebrate]]!]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [K... just not too much]//Kara leaves the office early and makes an impromptu stop at the new spa in the shopping center near her house. She decides to treat herself to a hot stone massage, and a facial. She immediately feels at ease//
(text-color:#B90709) [You know what Shannon... you right. This feels nice]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [See! Just needed to calm our nerves is all. I think we just overreacted.]
(text-color:#B90709) [Perhaps... still think we should quit. Our sanity is just not worth it]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Agreed. Especially given the long-term costs of [[stress]], and poor mental health.](text-color:#B90709) [...but are you happy?]
[[Shhh]]
//1:30 am Thursday Morning//
//Kara is falling (text-style:"blink")[asleep] in front of her laptop. Her finger accidentally presses the keyboard. The bottom of her cover letter reads Sincerrrrrrly. She wakes up to correct the salutation//
(text-color: #B90709) [Shannon... we should probably take a break]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Just a few more applications, and cover letters]
(text-color: #B90709) [But we've been at this for hours. It's not like we'll even land the interview!]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [We have to keep trying. We have this house to pay for, and all these bills--]
(text-color: #B90709) [I'm sure we have at least three months [[savings]]. If not we'll just make arrangements to--]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Can't sell]
(text-color: #B90709) [We're supposed to be reducing stress... this is getting out of hand] //The next day//
//Kara changes into her favorite pjs, and opens up the Netflix app on her Roku box. On the coffee table in front of her is a bowl of guacamole and chips. She presses confirm deliver on the Eat 24 app//
(text-color:#0E0E91) [So... when are we gonna dust off that resume and such?]
(text-color: #B90709) [Yes!]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [I asked a question]
(text-color: #B90709) [....never got the time to catch up on House of Cards. It's soooo interesting]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [It's also been several hours since we quit. We have so much [[work]] to--]
(text-color: #B90709) [Shhhh]
//Later on that night://
//Kara is at the lounge with her friends. After a round of shots, they dance in the (text-style:"blur")[middle of the crowded floor] (text-style:"blurrier")[to the thunderous, melodic bass]//
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Ruby]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Ruby]
(text-color:#B90709) [What is it?]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Okay I know we were stressed out, but we //really// need to work on getting another job]
(text-color: #B90709) [Was thinking we should start a blog, or at the very least explore some more of our [[passions]]]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [We don't have time for that shit Ruby. We've already extended the date on some of these bills--]
(text-color: #B90709) [Ehh, we'll figure it out]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [I don't think we have enough [[savings]] for you to figure it out]
(text-color: #B90709) [Don't be so negative!]//Three Months Later//
(text-color: #0E0E91) [We finally got an offer!]
(text-color: #B90709) [I guess]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [What's wrong? We get to keep everything! And our savings aren't completely drained--]
(text-color: #B90709) [What's so [[different]] about this place? What so different about this job?]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Does it matter? We //need// the money.]
(text-color: #B90709) [Do we?]
(text-color: #B90709) [...I don't like this]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [It's a new start, a new [[opportunity]], a new everything!! This is a complete 360 from where we were before!]
(text-color: #B90709) [Maybe... I think she's lying to herself... and to us--]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [You're overreacting.]
(text-color: #B90709) [We'll see.] //Two weeks later://
//Kara returns home with two giant Best Buy bags and places them on the coffee table//
(text-color: #0E0E91) [What's all this?]
(text-color: #B90709) [Equipment!]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...For?]
(text-color: #B90709) [Gonna make a vlog!! And maybe stream on Twitch.]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Make a vlog???]
(text-color: #B90709) [Yes. We have opinions, and we have a good understanding of ethics...and some law]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...but we didn't even pursue law school]
(text-color: #B90709) [No, but it's still an option. And it would give us an [[edge]] if we decide to.](text-color: #B90709) [It's happening again]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [She'll adjust. Can't be that bad already, we just got here.]
(text-color: #B90709) [I can tell that she's just doing this because she thinks she has to. Maybe she should look at other opportunities?]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [What for? She'll be fine. You've been really [[negative]] lately. It's not like you]
(text-color: #B90709) [She's trying to bury me, and [[ignore]] her desires. She doesn't want this. She just keeps talking herself into it]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Perhaps if you would get on board, there wouldn't be so much conflict--]
(text-color: #B90709) [Can't do that. I matter just as much as you do here Shannon] //Kara checks her email//
//A job that she recently interviewed with emailed her an offer letter. She smiles//
(text-color: #0E0E91) [So why not just focus on the job? I'm mean I'm glad you found a hobby but--]
(text-color: #B90709) [If you were paying attention Shannon, you'd know that Kara has been pondering this for quite some time--]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [I'm aware of Kara's desires. Doesn't mean she should do, or have everything--]
(text-color: #B90709) [Why not? Why should we keep slaving away at some job? So we can end up in the same spot. Feeling un[[happy]], and unfullfilled. We're not nine to five people!]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...but we have to be in order to survive?]
(text-color:#B90709) [says who?]//Kara decides not to bury her feelings this time, decides to [[quit]] before she gets completely settled in. She opens her dropbox, and downloads her resignation letter. She hands it over to her supervisor, and promptly exits the building//
(text-color: #B90709) [...so we can't do that?]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [It's not financially feasible right now]
(text-color: #B90709) [...even with online classes? We could [[swing]] the costs with aid--]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [too risky](text-color: #B90709) [I think you'll get on board once we've cleared up some [[variables]]. Calm your nerves] (text-color:#0E0E91) [I just feel like her time could be spent gaining experience here. Especially if she's gonna try and go [[away]] to her dream school in Philly.]
(text-color:#B90709) [...what's the worst that could happen if we relocated, and found similar work near her dream school?]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [....]
(text-color: #B90709) [......Surely you have an [[answer]]](text-color:#0E0E91) [...just because I don't have an answer does //not// mean that this is a good idea]
(text-color: #B90709) [Well what constitutes a good [[idea]] Shannon?]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [....this discussion isn't over Ruby!]//Kara opens up the internet browser on her computer and googles The University of Pennsylvania. She clicks on the school of Philosophy and dials the number from her desk.//
Advisor (on the phone): Unfortunately we don't. But we have evening options.
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Girl---//absolutely// NOT!!]
(text-color: #B90709) [...she could find a job just like this in Philly]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...ARE YOU [[SERIOUS?]] RIGHT NOW?!](text-color: #B90709) [What do we have to lose?]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [What can we do with this???]
(text-color: #B90709) [Law school perhaps? It's all still fuzzy, but we should try]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [...this is [[absurd]] ]//Several Months Later//
Financial Aid Advisor: This is how much aid you'll have access to for tuition. There's also some scholarships that you might qualify for given your career path.
(text-color: #0E0E91) [Wow...I completely underestimated the trajectory of this]
(text-color: #B90709) [See! Sometimes all you need to have is a bit of faith. We can even rent out the house as income while we're up here so we won't have to sell]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [I've really misjudged you Ruby]
(text-color: #B90709) [It's fine. We're both working towards the same [[goal->Play Again]]: our person's happiness]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Society at large!?! Besides wouldn't doing a vlog be counter-productive?]
(text-color:#B90709) [Not necessarily...perhaps...don't know. We should still try.]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [You didn't even think this through did you?]
(text-color: #B90709) [Scribbled some thoughts...but no not at all.]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [This is [[ridiculous]] ]
(text-color:#B90709) [You'll see...]//Several months later//
(text-color: #0E0E91) [That's a lot of folks.]
(text-color:#B90709) [Told you.]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [I may have underestimated this project]
(text-color: #B90709) [It's a [[movement]] now, but sure.]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [The overall trajectory of this looks great.]
(text-color: #B90709) [Yes!]The End!
[[Play Again? ->8:00 am - Monday Morning]] //Kara googles graduate philosophy programs on her computer. She also writes down a small group of thought bubbles with various dreams and goals.//
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Seems logical.]
(text-color:#B90709) [All a part of the plan]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [I [[wonder->Play Again]] where?]
//Kara is perched at her cubicle... again. She believes that this time will be better.//
//Her heart jumps up in her throat again//
(text-color:#0E0E91) [See? She'll be fine]
(text-color:#B90709) [You know for someone in charge of her emotional, and cognitive functions you're having a tough time with this pattern]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [What pattern?]
(text-color:#B90709) [This is the same thing she said at the other place... it's happening all over again]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Can you please be quiet and let me [[lead]]?!]
(text-color:#B90709) [Fine]
//Two Months Later//
Supervisor: Can you step into my office please?
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Ooo... a promotion?]
Supervisor: I wanted to discuss your [[future]] with our company, and your job performance.
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Yes!]
Supervisor: Based on what I see here I don't believe that you'll be a good fit for our company
(text-color:#0E0E91) [What???](text-color:#0E0E91) [This can't be happening!]
(text-color:#B90709) [Seen it coming a mile away]
(text-color:#0E0E91) [Why didn't you say anything??]
(text-color: #B90709) [...would you have listened?]
(text-color: #0E0E91) [....I'm sorry]
(text-color: #B90709) [It's too late for sorries. Nothing we can do now but [[start over->Play Again]] ]