The Popular Depression is a book I wrote in my first year of college.
It was inspired by a cigarette pack on a coffee table that I noticed at a house party.
My eyes were drawn to the Health Canada warning on the box of cigarettes.
I think the statistic about tobacco-related deaths was supposed to be the scary one. But, for some reason, I was more alarmed by the fact more people died by killing themselves than by getting into car accidents.
I never did anything with the book I wrote. Looking back, some of the amateurish writing makes me cringe. But, the concept behind The Popular Depression is an important theme for us to think about.
Here is the twenty-eighth chapter from The Popular Depression.
Chapter 28
Gusts of wind blow…
Snow covers the ground throughout the city of Lethbridge. Trees shake violently throughout the city. Police officers attend a collision in the north side of the city, and determine it was due to icy conditions. The coldness chills the bones. Thermometers say the temperature is -20 Celsius. With wind-chill, it has to be at least -37. Railings are frosted; windshields are laden with ice. Silent streets are interrupted by the sound of late night snow shovelling. The weather channel apologizes as the conditions should be the same for the next couple weeks. The howling of the wind is a declaration of its power. Objects are forced out of their surroundings to wherever the wind chooses to put them. Some objects are strong enough to stay in place, but most don’t stand a chance.
Gusts of wind blow…
One piece of paper is becoming fiercely disoriented. The wind pushes it along the ground; the wind lifts it up and flies it through the air. The piece of paper doesn’t even put up resistance. It is subject to the wind. The wind will decide where the piece of paper will end up. It is blown through peoples lawns. It is blown across major roadways. It is blown through schoolyards. One car comes inches away from driving over the piece of paper. For a moment the piece of paper stops. The wind takes a break. Seconds later, the wind moves the paper once again.
Gusts of wind blow…
It's now -21 Celsius.
Gusts of wind blow…
The piece of paper is blown up against a telephone pole, exposing the ink on the front:
October 30
Dear Sid:
My friend… we are geniuses. Just as planned, we have broken up Ethan and Liberty. Fate is on our side, Sid. The way everything worked out… I couldn’t have planned it better myself. I’m pretty sure that they’re broken up for good… she believed the letter that you wrote Sid!
I don’t know why I’m so surprised… of course she would believe it. We had our facts down perfect. After the band concert at LCI a few weeks ago… sitting in your dad’s Ford Focus with the windows rolled down… we heard everything! Liberty and Ethan’s whole fight was played out right before our very eyes!
And then the letter. I can’t tell you how good of a job you did with that letter, Sid. Liberty had no choice but to believe it. Everything you wrote in that letter was perfectly documented from that glorious Saturday night.
Now there’s no chance that she is going to get back with Ethan after what “he” said in that note.
Speaking of Ethan, I hear that idiot has gone to a party with Jared Winston tonight… probably to try to pick up girls.
What an ignorant prick.
Congratulations Sid, hold your head high. We have single-handedly gotten revenge on the popular crowd… via a pawn by the name of Ethan Tate.
Pedro
Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27