Lazalde 1

Roy Lazalde
Professor Batty
English 114B
24 April 2014
The Bolus
The first week of summer was approaching and the town was adjusting to the climate
changes. The children began to use their homemade pools and the adults began scheduling their
daily plans for the summer. The town created events daily to keep their minds off time and by
the time it was ten oclock it was time to take the Bolus. Every day at exactly that time each
person had to take the Bolus and it was a requirement to consume it or a punishment would be
the consequence.
By the time it was already ten oclock all of the people were filed in a straight line
waiting for their Bolus and people began to complain like the usual about the long line that there
was in the beginning. Many of the families were getting their Bolus and began to move on to
their houses and rest until the next day. The families that were left in the line eventually became
friends over time but never discussed why they were in line. The two families that became close
were Clarences and Jeffs family, which Clarence and Jeff ended up being good friends.
Clarence not only was growing up rapidly, but began wondering what other did not dare to think
of the town. By eleven oclock every family was given the Bolus and had to wait until the next
day.
The next day, it was the same routine over again but the children had fun with something
different this time and the adults kept organizing the upcoming summer events. The main
coordinator of the town was Amys parents; Amy is best friends with Clarence and Jeff but
Amys parents never collaborated with her friends parents. Amy starts out every morning by
singing the National Anthem and ends with answering the questions of the people. For instance,
some topics that are mentioned are about the weather, the daily news that occurs in the town, and
constant reminders about the Bolus.
The weather today will be exactly ninety degrees, the planning for the events is still
taking place, and do not forget to take the Bolus at precisely ten oclock. Amy said to the town.
As Clarence and Jeff began to hear what Amy had to say he was thinking about how his
eighteenth birthday was approaching.
How does it feel being eighteen Jeff? Clarence asked Jeff with a huge expression of
happiness.
Its alright I guess, I dont know why people make a big deal out of it? As Jeff was
responding to Clarences question. The only difference between seventeen and eighteen is the
fact that we will be treated as our parents,
But thats boring Jeff, why cant we just be the same age forever? Clarence began to
wonder if aging was a natural cause and left his thought to aside as he was being distracted by
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the reminder of the Bolus announcement through the megaphone. Jeff had lost concentration as
well and both rushed home.
Around the time it was time for the Bolus; the town gathered once again in a single file
line and commenced the Bolus.
I wonder what the weather is going to be tomorrow; hopefully the same as today.
Clarence foresees to Jeff of what his mentality is set for tomorrow.
Jeff made no response to Clarences comment and began a new topic.
Did you see the show last night Clarence?
Yes, and yet again I continue to get one right Clarence knows that he lacks of
intelligence compared to Jeff.
And I got all of them right without any help. Jeff reminds Clarence of his high
intelligence compared to him. They compared answers and time was going by quite fast as well
as the line.
Wow Jeff you are so smart and continue to get the answers correct.
I know it is just a lucky guess you can say and I seem to know everything of what the
show is asking.
By the time Clarences family was approaching to take the Bolus, the megaphone
reminded Clarence of his birthday coming up in a couple of days. At first he did not seemed to
notice but until he was given the Bolus.
Hmm thats odd I never seemed to notice that the megaphone remembered my birthday.
He quickly got the Bolus and soon lost his train of thought until he approached Jeff before going
home.
Clarence asked Jeff about the incident earlier. Have you noticed that the megaphone
reminded our birthdays?
Jeff responded in disbelief. I guess we just never noticed until now that you are about to
turn eighteen.
You are right Jeff; it might be that perhaps we just never paid attention. Clarence
seemed persuaded by Jeffs response and left the comment aside of the megaphone reminding his
birthday during the Bolus. Both marched on home and left the argument in a midst.
Today the weather will be exactly ninety degrees and the planning of the events is still
taking place. Amy began to mention the daily news. And do not forget about the Bolus at
precisely ten oclock. The constant reminder every morning by Amy made every person
remember the Bolus was exactly at ten oclock and was mandatory.
The day went on and by the time it was ten oclock the people gathered once again in to
the top to take the Bolus.
So what did you think of last nights show Jeff? As Clarence was looking at Jeff his
attention went on to the front of the line and he saw that someone was turning eighteen.
Well, it was the same as umm Clarence what are you doing? Clarence was so curious
towards what was going to happen as the Bolus was given to the person and he ignored Jeffs
response.
The only thing that Clarence managed to see is that a different type of Bolus was given to
the person turning eighteen and he did not bother to ask what it was. He was eager to know what
was given once turning eighteen. He stood quiet and did not answer Jeffs question and marched
on home when he received the Bolus. Clarence kept on thinking throughout the night and could
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not sleep thinking about the day of his birthday. He knew that Jeff was already eighteen but did
not bother to ask about the Bolus. So instead he lay down and waited until the next day.
Amy began once again with her morning announcements,
The weather today will be exactly ninety degrees, the planning for the events is still
taking place, and do not forget to take the Bolus at precisely ten oclock. As Amy was finishing
up her announcements and she saw Clarence from a distance, One last thing, if you see
Clarence around say Happy eighteenth Birthday. She grinned as Clarence was blushing
towards Amys announcement and began to walk towards her.
Thanks for the announcement Im just hesitant about the Bolus later on at night.
Amy looked into his eyes and said, Just dont worry about and it will be okay the Bolus
happens to everyone from any age. She walked away into her house and Clarence joined Jeff in
between the crowd.
Jeff knew that it was Clarence birthday so he invited him to his house to watch the late
night show, Clarence, would you like to accompany me to my house to watch and answer the
late night show trivia?
Sure Jeff, Ill see you at your house before the Bolus. Clarence was hesitant to say the
Bolus and continued to go home after meeting up with Jeff.
Clarence began walking to his house and was surprised that his parents were going to
celebrate his birthday. And as he walked inside his house his parents were indulged with the fact
that he was turning eighteen and only mentioned the Bolus being so important. Clarence asked,
Why is the Bolus more important on the eighteenth than any other day? There was no
response towards his question and he carried on with his celebration.
At nine oclock he went towards Jeffs house for the late night show. As soon as he
shows up, Jeff was already standing on the door waiting to open the door.
Come in Clarence.
Jeff sat him down on his sofa and both waited for the show to start. Once the show began
Jeff was sucked in the show and Clarence was amazed by his actions during the show.
False true the endocrine and nervous system 1969 one Jeff answered all the
questions right and once again Clarence only got the last answer right.
Wow Jeff, how do you manage to get all the answers right?
Well by practicing every day and expecting the unexpected questions. Jeff pointed out
how he was able to get them right and asked Clarence, Dont they make you study? Jeff was
shocked to notice that Clarence did not study for the late night shows.
Not really I only get the last answer right. Clarence seemed confused but did not
bother to ask once again. He began to think if it was turning eighteen that made them react
different than others.
Now that the late night show was over Clarence and Jeff saw that they still had time to
spare before going to the line to get the Bolus.
What should we do now Jeff?
Jeff did not have a creative imagination compared to Clarence and said, We can play
crossword challenges or perhaps some Sudoku puzzles?
No Jeff, lets do something fun since its my birthday. He seemed surprised of what
Jeff had proclaimed to do.
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Alright then, as long as we do not get dirty because I just showed and before I go I have
to take my backpack and carry my hand sanitizer, my Band-Aids, my disinfected wipes for my
face and my Sudoku puzzle to entertain myself when I am bored.
Jeff began to load his backpack with all of the things he needed and Clarence looked at
him in awe and saw all the materials Jeff needed just to go out and have fun.
Do you really need all that stuff just to go out?
Jeff looked at him cautiously, Well yes I do, and dont you ever think of the things that
are outside that can damage us internally?
Not really I just go out and have fun like any kid would.
Jeff stopped what he was doing and stood in front of Clarence and looked at him in the
eyes and said, Look Clarence, my brain works in a different way that you would not understand
yet and there is certain things that I like that perhaps no other person like either, but that is the
way I want my things to be.
Jeffs remark towards Clarence was with the softest voice to discretely get the message
across to Clarence that he was different compared to other people.
Clarence responded, Okay Jeff, I just want to be friends and not let anything go get in
between us.
When Jeff was done both went outside and looked around to do something.
It was thirty minutes before receiving the Bolus and Clarence decided to play in the
arcade with Jeff.
Look Jeff!
Clarence was flabbergasted when he saw the prizes and pointed out one in particular, and
it was a miniature crystal ball.
Clarence was determined to get the crystal ball in thirty minutes before the Bolus.
Jeff will you help me get the crystal ball?
Jeff wasnt sure at first, but since it was his birthday he agreed.
Yeah sure we only have less than thirty minutes before going to get the Bolus.
Ten minutes before the Bolus they gathered enough tickets to get the crystal ball and
Clarences reaction when he got was as he achieved his goal in getting what he wanted.
Clarence and Jeff walked towards the line to receive the Bolus and Clarence began to
think what was going to happen to him in the line while getting the Bolus.
He couldnt resist any more so he decided to finally ask Jeff.
What happened when you turned eighteen?
Jeff didnt pay attention to his question at first.
Jeff!
Jeff finally snapped out of it and responded with the most subtle voice.
It just happens for a reason, a good reason.
Clarence looked at him and was confused towards his response. He decided to ask
another question.
Does anything change?
Jeff made no reply at first and was next in line to get the Bolus. He then responded to
him.
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Yes, just absorb everything that is coming in and let be; only you can decide what
happens from now on.
Clarence did quite get what he was trying to say then Jeff took the Bolus and left back
home.
Now it was Clarences turn to receive the Bolus. As soon as he stepped in to get it the
machine began to process who he was and it told Clarence something into his ear for a whole
minute and Clarence took the Bolus and left.
That same night Clarence began consuming the information that Jeff had told him before
and to start thinking. Now that he had taken the Bolus, Clarence seemed different when he was
thinking.
The next day Amy began the day with her morning announcements and said,
The weather today will be exactly ninety one degrees, the planning for the events is still
taking place, and do not forget to take the Bolus at precisely ten oclock.
Clarence right away realized the difference of todays announcement and began
wondering why the weather went up. He decided to ask Amy from afar,
Why did the weather change?
Amy was stunned because no one ever asked her any question about the announcements
especially about the weather.
Umm... I do not know.
Clarence once again asked her and she couldnt respond the question Clarence for her so
she ran off into her dads office.
The crowd turned towards Clarence and stared until he felt awkward and left. He started
to think why he asked that question and why now that he had taken the Bolus the night before.
He went straight to Jeffs house to ask him some questions.
When he was outside his house and was about to knock, Jeff opened the door and let him
in and sat him down.
How did you know I was coming Jeff?
I was already expecting you to come after the announcement in the morning.
Clarence was startled when Jeff pointed that out because Jeff wasnt in the announcement
this morning.
Clarence asked Jeff Is something bad going to happen?
Why do you ask that? said Jeff.
Its because since yesterday after I took the Bolus I feel different and you were right
about that I was going to change, but I do not think I am going to absorb it in.
Thats exactly what I wanted to hear Clarence; I made that comment on purpose to see if
the Bolus affected you like it affected me. Jeff told Clarence.
Wait, Im confused; so you wanted me to see how I was going to react when I took the
Bolus?
Yes, and know there are somethings that have to be said in order to understand what is
happening because until this day you and me are the only ones that are going to be thinking like
no one else has.
Clarence was determined to hear what Jeff has to say in order to understand what is
happening and how did Jeff get the way he is right now.
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The reason I havent said anything of my behavior is because I am scared that someone
or something may harm me and my family for thinking the way that Im thinking. And now that
you have the same effect as me we can finally do something about it.
Do something about what? Clarence was still processing what Jeff was telling him and
was trying to connect the thoughts into one main idea. He felt like he finally knew who Jeff was
and seemed to connect more with his interest.
All the things that are happening in our town happen repetitively every day and
somehow one little thing changes and no one seems to notice it.
But I noticed that the weather had changed by one degree.
Jeff exclaimed, And that is why everyone stared you down like if you were crazy when
you pointed that out, and no one seemed to think about that change.
Clarence realized that he was right and that perhaps there is something more than
noticing that little change.
Clarence asked Jeff, Why havent you done anything towards what is happening?
Clarence you know me and you know that Im not that kind of outspoken person that
does things without thinking things through and the consequences that are going to follow.
Yeah youre right Jeff, what should we do then?
Thats the problem; there isnt anything to do but to live on knowing that we are perhaps
living under a lie.
What lie? Clarence didnt seem to capture the meaning of a lie.
Yes Clarence, the lie that weve been living through since the day we were born.
Havent you asked yourself why we take the Bolus?
Yeah but its mandatory for us to take it.
And why should we have to take it?
Clarence seemed to start thinking even more and said, I do not know, perhaps there is a
lie behind our town and we must do something to stop it and help our people know what the truth
really is.
Thats the problem Clarence I dont want to do anything about it.
What made think that?
Clarence didnt agree with what Jeff was saying. Dont you want to let other people
know what is happening?
The thing that weve been consuming all of our lives known as the Bolus is actually a
pill that enables us to think things through and not process simple or complex thoughts. Its a
synonym for pill and the Bolus has been a cover up for what we are consuming.
How do you know that?
Jeff said, Ive been investigating this for the last months now and all this information is
making more and more sense.
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Clarence finally exploded in anger and began to think why he had been living in a lie and
under pills to keep him from thinking. He ran out of Jeffs house and began to scream the truth
of what was happening but no one seemed to realize what he was saying and he began to go mad.
He then took something out of his pocket and it was the crystal ball that he had and threw it in
the air.
Soon he saw something in the sky breaking and it crumbled into pieces and it seemed like
a spherical glass shield that was protecting the town.
Jeff whats happening!? Clarence didnt realize what he had done and somehow
everything began to get sucked out and people began flying out of the spherical shield that
covered the town.
Little by little everyone began to die out when they were sucked out of the shield and
Clarence and Jeff saw each other for the last time.
Jeff screamed out, Weve been living on the moon