It is that time again. Eddie didn’t have to check the clock or calendar to know that it was time. He had already started to feel the effects of not receiving it. The effects were physical as much as mental.
He felt anxious, looking over his shoulder for imaginary threats and doomscrolling on socials, hoping for the time to pass sooner.
He decided to walk to the nearest water cooler, hoping to turn his mind to other things. But one quick look at the people around him told him that he was not alone in the struggle. Johnny had been on it for far longer than he had, and you could clearly see the haunted look on Johnny’s face. Lost somewhere in his own head.
Rita was no different, though she’d started on it only recently. Just last year. And you could already see the effects on her. Not as bad as Johnny, of course, but it was no longer the same cheery face he’d welcomed last year.
Eddie had seen enough faces that mirrored his own and decided to get back to the place where he hung out.
He suddenly noticed Rob walking past his place. Eddie looked busy avoiding eye contact. After all, Rob was squarely in a position to decide who got to have it or even how much of it.
Rob paused, looked at Eddie, remembered something, and berated him, not because there was a reason but because he was just so used to it. To relieve a little pressure. Needless to say, Rob himself was feeling the effects of not taking it for some time and was in a foul mood.
It was even worse for Rob. Long-time users of it know that they build a tolerance to it, and small hits are no longer enough. They have to gradually get higher amounts to counter the tolerance they’ve built up.
Eddie sighed as he watched Rob move on. Well, it is what it is. As long as Rob didn’t cut off the supply, he would take any and all abuse.
After all, Rob’s own distributor was no kinder. Spoken about in hushed tones and not to be named, he was known to have the greatest need for it of all, having taken it for some 40-odd years now. And that made him the one who had the most to lose if his own supply was cut off.
Eddie gave it a few minutes and, when Rob was out of hearing distance, took a turn and headed home. A little earlier than usual.
His wife opened the door, cheerful. Clearly, she’d got her hit already. Her usual dealer distributed it slightly earlier in the day, even though the dates mostly aligned with his.
Eddie heard laughter and looked towards his children. Playing around with imaginary drug shots that didn’t give any high but were good practice for their future. Their faces looked happy, having never experienced the drug or its withdrawals. It wouldn’t stay that way for long. Everyone gets on it once they are old enough.
A buzz and a tone on his phone notified him of a new email. Eddie looked at it and immediately brightened.
After all, he’d got his hit. He knew he’d be high for a while.
With his next dose of salary—the world’s most potent drug—secured, Eddie walked over to join in their game of Monopoly.