Hostage

…so a loaded toothbrush—an electric one—is being held against my head, and I’m being told to brush. But not only must I brush, but I must enjoy doing it. I must fully and totally convince myself of the necessity, of the absolute enjoyment of the act, I must tell myself I am brushing my teeth and I am enjoying the subtle utilitarian gaeity of the act. It can’t be just for show, because then they’ll know. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t convince myself that it’s anything more than a frivolous, empty act, and my captors shoot me.