The Playground Series: Reality in Fiction: Episode 8 Recap- The Earth Vs. The World
Episode 3 Definitions and What's in a Name
Episode 4 The Lies we were told in Church and the Public Fool System
Episode 5 Re-member: Un-spelling words
Episode 6 Internal vs. External-Natural Intent
I sat down on the colorful metal horse and grabbed a hold of the hand grips, then stuck my feet on the pegs, laughing as I immediately tipped far forward, the spring attaching the horse to the ground stretching and groaning from lack of use. I leaned back, which took greater effort, then forward again, finding a rhythm of rocking and thoroughly enjoying myself. I think it had something to do with having outgrown this particular piece of playground equipment, it made me feel younger on one hand with a zing of guilty pleasure on the other.
If there had been any school-marm types patrolling the grounds I would have earned a look of disapproval most likely. Especially if there were any tots awaiting a turn. But there were neither; as usual I had the place to myself.
For some reason my own ‘marm’ came to mind, and I realized something significant. Even if it were someone else’s over-sized offspring rocking back and forth the sight of it would have made her laugh, not scowl. I dropped my feet to the ground, my eyes drawn in the direction of home, feeling as if I’d had some kind of epiphany.
“Race you.”
I glanced to my right and grinned as Ijustam started rocking the zebra, looking as if he would tumble over the front of it as his own weight tested the coiled spring worse than mine had, not to mention his height. I resumed my own rocking, shouting “Giddy-up,” pretending for a moment that we were in a chalk drawing from Mary Poppins-any moment now our animals would be released from the confines of the dirt and we’d rock them straight across the field and into the woods.
I stopped after a minute, breathing heavily, and he followed suit. “I would not have thought these things were capable of giving me a workout,” I commented when some of my breath had returned.
He smiled strangely and I raised a brow. “What is it?” I asked.
“I interrupted your train of thought.” He stated.
My brows furrowed as I followed his gaze. He was looking in the direction of my house, as I had been before his appearance. “Yes…,” I said slowly, “I was just thinking about my mother, realizing that I’ve been hard on her.”
He cocked his head to the side, but said nothing, waiting for me to go on.
I took a breath as I tried to organize my thoughts. “It’s just-,” I shook my head, “I think I’m beginning to understand that every journey on this earth is different. My parents may have been the ones that shuttled me into this plane, but that doesn’t make me their carbon-copy miniature. They have their own thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and struggles, and I have mine. The problem with my mother in particular is that she seems to think I should view the world as she does, to the point where she presses her convictions on me. The resentment I have is about that weight I’ve been carrying around, particularly since it’s not my baggage. Does that make sense?”
His lip curved slightly as he nodded. “Perfect sense. Especially when the baggage is mostly fiction.”
I felt my eyebrow raise. “Fiction? You mean religion?”
He shook his head, “No, at least not entirely. You said she wants you to view the ‘world’ as she does, and it’s the ‘world’ that is the fiction.” He swung his leg over the zebra and bent down, scooping up a handful of sand. “This is earth,” he told her as the sand slipped back through his fingers, “Earth is real. The world-” He put his hand up and spun his finger in a circular motion, “only exists in our minds. Like the paper money we use to buy things; backed by nothing more than our faith in it. The entire society surrounding it is no different, it’s only real if we believe it’s real."
"For example, if the vast majority of the nation woke up one morning and decided that judges in their “priestly” black robes were nothing more than men in costume, their power would disappear. Because like paper money it’s only our belief in them that gives them that power. The problem is that most people choose to be blind and deaf to the reality. It’s not a conscious thing, but still they choose the fiction, or the prison. Out of ignorance, or fear, or the desire to be accepted by those around them- the result is the same.”
“The result being?”
He spun his finger in the air again, but slowly at first, picking up speed and then falling off the zebra to the ground. He looked up at her, his expression serious. “They always fall, these “great” nations. Next time you see me, ask about oaths.”
I started to open my mouth then shut it. Oaths. I had no idea what he was talking about, but by next time I surely would. I slid off the horse and landed beside him on my knees. He sat up, his features intense and probing.
I smiled, brushing sand off his arm. “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Never doubt that.”
His return smile was slow in coming, but when it appeared he almost looked his age. He got to his feet and held his hand out for me. I grasped it and he pulled me up. He didn’t let go, his fingers entwining with mine instead. “Walk me back?” He asked, glancing across the field to the woods.
My smile widened as I nodded. As we walked I memorized every step and nuance thinking 'this is why it is good to be here, this is what makes it worthwhile'.
Generously created for me by @son-of-satire
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The Playground makes me happy, every time.
Reality isn't all that it seems, but maybe it's more. :)
Indeed :)
Ahh! Now this is an episode I distinctly remember. God I wish I could've remembered my response back then. As much as I want to give as detailed as a response now, I really don't want to overshadow the former one. It would be interesting to see how my thoughts on this story compares to how I view it now though. Would definitely be biased since our friendship only blossomed after this.
This will always have a special place for me. Not only was this one of the few series that I binge read to catch up on, but this is the story that really made me a fan of you :D
Super excited to read the long delayed continuation to this, and Today Again as well!!
Ohhhh, I can provide you with that...I actually had to go back to find out what I'd called this one since I didn't have the title saved on my original copy in word for some reason, so I copied the link ;). What's really great is what we talk about after, LOL!
https://steemit.com/story/@dreemit/the-playground-series-reality-in-fiction-episode-8-the-earth-vs-the-world
Today Again, I know. I will definitely revisit that, though I feel like my focus needs to be on book three of the series right now. I have about 175 pages completed and it's plotted out fully along with most of book 4. But I'm not going to post it until I've not only finished it but rewritten it, which means I have my work cut out for me. However I do have a completed novel to put through in the meantime. I did tell you about Unproven right? The story I started writing for Harlequin Romance LOLOL, actually, it started as an exercise and also a means to possibly make my way into the world of publishers. The trouble is their guidelines made it impossible for me to write a story I could be satisfied with. No more than two hundred pages and tons of sex...as much as I like writing a good sex scene, I hate the thought of anything I write to not have more meaning than that. (They were looking for erotica since this was around the time fifty shades of grey had just been released)
So once again I have an entirely different kind of story. I wrote the first draft of what I was originally going to submit in two weeks. But I couldn't go through with it. So I made a new exercise for myself. To see if I could take what I had written...basically to see if it was possible to make an erotic story actually Good. Sort of like making a good movie out of a porno hahaha, trust me it is no easy feat!! But it was actually really fun to write! As usual I got very involved in the characters, even the side ones, so they are all believable. Now to be honest, being an erotica the target audience is women. However my brother read it and actually enjoyed it (I told him he was under no obligation and that he could be completely honest. Now I know if he had thought it was shit he wouldn't have put it that way, but he also wouldn't have said it was great or gotten through it as fast as he did ;) so it is possible for guys to like it even if it's not something they would ever normally read :) As for the females who have read it, they're still bugging me for some kind of sequel lol.
My sentiment from back then still stands! It's so great that the comments stood the test of time haha! One day, I hope Steemit would have its own version of "On this day".
Oh I bet it's no small feat! I would totally give it a try when you post it haha! I've read through the most sensitive scenes in Reborn and Renewal, so I might as well, right? It is quite tough to make an erotica readable for people who are in it for the story and not the explicit scenes. But, I have high hopes that you would be able to accomplish it, sis!
Oh yeah, and there's one more thing. It's the novella for reborn that I had mentioned. Actually, so for that...when I originally started writing the story of Anna it was going to be a young adult novel. Until the Scene came to me, the one of Anna in the gaming dungeon in transformation. When I wrote that out I began to see the story I really wanted to create, and it was not only not young adult but also a series. Anyway, I was thinking I might also put that through here. It's possible with some tweaks I could make it the prequel of the series. I suppose I'll have to put that through first before Unproven that way I can get some input from you and others. (Because I fully intend to publish book one this year, I'm even going to hire a team. I already have Paul for the cover, who I need to hire once more for a new cover for renewal, but I need someone to make me a professional website, someone who knows formatting, an editor etc. etc.) But what the potential prequel does do is provide more of a background to all of the girls of the story. And make it so book one would begin right before they go to London as the rest would be covered in the prequel.
Speaking of which, I'll let out one little spoiler for book three---it starts out with its focus on Marina :)
Yeah, I figured that when I read it :) Definitely put it through. A prequel would be a good bridge to tide readers over before the third book hits the blockchain. It's great that you have a game plan in place. I remember when I first self-published. If I could do it all over again, I would've hired a team as well.
Ooooh Marina. That's a surprise! I wonder how it would come to be with the ending of Renewal hmm...
Well crafted article.
The romance and captivating suspense makes it even more superb.
BRAVO! @dreemit
I don't know how do it, I just love it.
Many thanks again, your encouragement means a lot :)
Thank you @dreemit for re-issuing these post. I really enjoyed the stories, the ideas and the concepts.
Out of curiosity, did you have a favorite? Also do you think that each one could stand alone?
Favorite would have been "Episode 5 Re-member: Un-spelling words" - even though I have thought of the spell ing of words I do not think I ever saw Re-member To me bring all of our parts, (and we have so many) all back together again. I guess it the Humpty Dumpty issue thing.
Yes I think they could stand alone, each one presented a Thought piece, gave the reader something to think and ponder about.