"COME BACK FOR US"

Hello.

You've come this far, perhaps you're willing to go a little farther.

You are to commit a deplorable act. It doesn't have to be violent, nor does it have to go against your values, but it does have to offend you.

At night he'll come. He means well. With him he'll carry dreams, and his intention will be to soothe your troubled psyche.

Sequester him.

He will plead and bargain, but harden your heart. Strong arm him. Make him show you the backdoor to this Truman Show.

Backstage you will meet flickering figures. A warrior shall appear and tell you to stand down. A royal figure will empathize with you, and you'll find yourself almost giving in.

But remain steadfast. Threaten them with your prisoner's life, and request an audience.

You are to look at the warrior and say: "You are the soldier. Your sword is the phrase 'I Will', and your shield is the phrase 'I Won't'. With these two tools you know when to yield, and when to attack. You require no glory, for you are beholden to an ideal higher than yourself. You are what Freud called the Ego. You are bravery and will refined. I repeat. You are the soldier."

Then, look to the king and say: "You are the father. And though you are the Patriarch, your role is not to be worshipped, for you are not the sun, rather, your duty is to make sure the sun always shines upon your kingdom. Your existence is beholden to your loved ones, their success is yours, you represent Order, and Longevity, for the health of your family is how you are judged. I repeat. You are the father."

If said with conviction, the figures will look upon you, and smile, and willingly let themselves be integrated unto you.

If your prisoner is still alive at this point, let him go, excuse your brutish behaviour. If you're lucky you will receive the sandman's blessing.

At the end of this stage there will be another door, and on the other side of this door you will see darkness.

A woman will shortly join you. Her beauty will be indescribable, and you will feel insecure.

You are to confess these feelings to her, and when she teases you, you are to weather her insults.

Do not fall in love with her. Rather, recognize the storm in her. Do not resent it, recognize you come from it, and in you storms also rage.

A man will join you both. When he speaks, he shall not look at you, and his frame will suggest he knows of hardship.

Do not ask for his attention, do not idolize him. Recognize that in you the capacity for strength also exists. So ask him about his past, and how he survived his wars.

If you are successful, both the man and woman will look to you, and their tone will suggest they hold you in high regard.

Embrace them, confess your love for them, and in turn, let them love you in their own unique way.

You've come far, and by now you must be weary. But remember the beings that now live within you, and call to them if you need strength.

So now. Walk under the red neon of the final exit sign.

Here you will see infinite space, stars will fall and comets will rage and a great dragon will fly down from the heavens and ask you to join him.

If you've come this far, it is your right to leave.

But please,

COME BACK FOR US

SHOW US HOW U BECAME

FREE

Remember,

You sail for that infinite horizon, moving forward but never reaching your destination. You may find refuge on some pleasant isle or a muddy sandbar, but the tides of time will wash it away as it does with all things, and you will find yourself sailing once again. In order to be happy in this life, you must learn to love the act of sailing in itself, while never knowing what challenges the horizon has in store for you.