The Iron Temple - Vol. 1 Ed. 42
May 05, 2021 5:51 am
World Builders' Guild Newsletter
Beep.
It's 5:00AM.
Sorry, Jocko. I'm 25 minutes late.
An icy fistful of water slaps the physical senses into gear. When the brain comes on line, it tickles the dormant soul awake and takes its seat behind two fresh eyes. Like the finale of a metaphysical Rube Goldberg machine, a tingle of life pours through sinew, shocking the skeleton into a jig.
Beep.
Into the car. Warmth, for a moment.
It's a quick drive to church. Over the causeway, a molten sunbeam sears a gash through the damp cloud blanket. It's like the last blackout curtain draped over the window of a burning house.
Beep.
"Have a good workout, man."
The pews are already full. Spandex (is Spandex even a thing anymore?) stretches taught around legs pumping to a hundred different silent beats. The din of machinery strains against relentless force, echoing off the chapel roof.
The ventilation system does little to prevent the air's perfume of fear, bravery, a dash of hope. Bravado. Regret.
Shouldn't have had that third margarita last night.
I need to look good for her wedding. At least one of us does.
There's no way she doesn't notice me at happy hour this week.
Beep.
Break's over. Back to the rack for another rosary. Penance happens between heartbeats. If you can hear your own blood pumping, you're closer to heaven than hell, but it's not clear where the threshold for either is.
All you know is endorphins are a brutal addiction. There's no therapy for those who can't stop throwing heavy things around in public.
Or, maybe this is the answer. This is where God is.
Between the fear of failure and the rush of power. The knife's edge of human potential. It's here, seven days a week. One more rep.
The only way to salvation.
Beep.
To future worlds,
Matt Ventre
Tell me what all those beeps mean.
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