The smell of burnt coffee and stale doughnuts hanging in the air. In a circle of purposely uncomfortable folding chairs a group of nervous participants sit facing each other in rumpled and unkempt clothing. Their palms wet with sweat.
A new member of the group speaks for the first time, “Hello, my name is * mumble * and I am a supellectilem amans.” The rest of the group replies in unison with, “Welcome, whatever-the-hell-you-said-your-name-is.”
The new member rubs his hands together and haltingly begins to tell his story of how he fell to be among those present, “It all started off so innocently. I was only sitting there to rest, but the couch did it. Taunts with flowered velour and Naugahyde trim. After the first time it was easier and easier. I was caught in it’s grip. Soon it was no longer enough! I was spending thousands of dollars on high end orthopedic seats and lounges. There were dozens of settings for massages and vibration from all around the world. I neglected everything else. My job and family until eventually I lost it all. IT RUINED MY LIFE! I was sneaking into retirement homes hoping to find an unattended therapy seat. When I could scrounge a few bucks I would check into a hourly rate motel with a hand full of quarters to forget, if just for a little while in the embrace of a vibrating mattress… “
As the speaker continues tears of understanding can be seen in the eyes of the other silent members of the group.
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