Chapter 1
The absence of an alarm clock in the room meant that his thoughts were becoming more and more frantic. Still incapable of reason, he shifted his position on the pillow and tried desperately to only perform actions which did not fully awaken his brain. But the distinctive gray light forced him to ask himself,
"Is it time to wake up yet? I should get up and check that it's not time to get up."
"But if I get up, then it will take me at least another 5 minutes to sink back to this level of unconsciousness. It seems still early. The light feels, I dunno, cold or something... I'm going to stay asleep," he reasoned
"You should check your watch. all you would have to do is open your eyes a little bit," he unreasoned.
"Fine, but I'm probably right about what time it is."
He opened his eyes, and immediately his brain was forced completely alert.
"Shit"
He laid in bed, and allowed himself to coalesce. The process was quick, and it brought to his mind the memory of the night before.
He had been angry and motivated. He had started some crazy unrealistic project. He was always starting crazy unrealistic projects. In the mornings after, he never wanted to do them anymore. Today was no different, his drive had not survived his sleep.
He turned and checked the watch by his bed for the time. It was 8:35. It was not late, but it was also not early.
It was also not particularly surprising. Every morning, he would have the same argument with himself, and it always seemed to cause him to wake up at about the same time, and it was always exactly enough time to brush his teeth, cover himself with clothes, get in the car, and drive to work.
So that was what he did.
