The Emancipation of Walter Allen

Walter Allen, a quiet timid unassuming man, contempt with living his life with in the confines of his daily routine. A perfectly orchestrated symphony of his own design. He never deviated from his scheduled routine every minute of every day accounted for. Everyday Monday though Thursday was exactly the same. Walter wakes up every day at exactly a quarter to six from the sound of his alarm clock. He then sits on the edge of the left side of his bed, and slips in to his house shoes left exactly six inches in front of the left side of his bed the night before. Then he heads to the bathroom he showers shaves, and brushes his teeth in that exact order he counts strokes as he brushes thirty exactly no more no less. With that done he puts on the shirt, slacks and tie he ironed, and hung on the back of the bathroom door the night before. Lastly before leaving the bathroom he puts on his dress socks and his dress shoes. He then goes into the kitchen where he has two pieces of toast a bowl of oatmeal plain with three scoops of sugar, and a glass of milk, as he eats breakfast he scrolls through various news articles. When he finishes eating he heads to work stopping at the front door to grab his house key, an umbrella just in case, and most importantly his watch, preset to go off at various times throughout his day reminding him to eat lunch take breaks etcetera. Walter repeats this schedule every day, except Friday, on Friday's Walter visits his therapist it used to upset him to go, but over time it fit into the rhythm of his routine on this particular Friday Walter sat across from his therapist feeling completely anxious for some reason.

Walter

Yes?

I asked you a question.

I'm sorry, could you repeat it.

I asked how have you been feeling lately

Same as always I guess.

You guess, or you know.

I don't know.

Walter you know I can't help you if you don't let me know what's going on.

Well lately I just feel really anxious. I'm also having trouble sleeping eating, and my routine no longer brings me any comfor

I was worried this would happen you are so complacent in you routine that it no longer holds meaning for you. Simply put you are bored Walter, you have got to change your routine, to protect your mental state.

You don't think I have tried Mariam

You have?

Yes on Monday I spotted a pretty girl hailing a cab, I decided to walk over to try to converse with her, maybe even share the cab if she was going my way. As soon as my foot touched the cross-walk opposite my usual path I was clipped by a bike messenger.

And?

And! And! And that was enough of a sign for me, I suppose you would have me hit by a car next.

Walter that was just a coincidence it means nothing.

So you say, but I'm not convinced.

Well let me put it this way if you don't do something soon you will become depressed, and more anxious. You will suffer fatigue you'll lose motivation to the point where the most mundane task will seem taxing. Is that what you want Walter.

No. what should I do?

Take a vacation.

where would I go.

Anywhere, Walter you have plenty of savings do something you have always wanted to do. Something wild, and exciting go live Walter.

Okay I'll give your way a try.

And that is how Walter Allen. Ended up on a boat in Oahu Hawaii waiting to go cage swimming. With some of Hawaii's most dangerous sharks.

Okay buddy go head, and put on your mask, and snorkel. The sharks are going to be very close to you. Don't worry they cannot hurt you, but we ask that you refrain from reaching out from the cage. If you have any problems down there let us know, we will be able to hear you through the ear piece we gave you. Okay have fun Walt.

Walter climbed into the cage, and braced him self. He still couldn't believe he was actually doing this. He was thousands of miles from his routine, and he had to admit things were going okay so far. however he did hold on to one piece of his routine. He still had his watch preset to go off throughout the day. It brought him a small amount of comfort to daydream about what he would be doing after each alarm. The cage dropped rather quickly, and before Walter could react he was in the water. Walter looked around in wonder the scene happening around him was beautiful. Walter always loved sharks, but watching them on TV was nothing like this it was beautiful. . .

She was right. Walter whispered. I needed this.

Walter was so wrapped up in the majesty of his current adventure that he almost didn't notice the tiger shark great swimming in his direction. When he did, he became extremely nervous.

Hey guys can you hear me.

Yeah, Walt what's up.

There is a tiger shark down here.

It's fine Walt as long as you are in the cage you are fine.

Okay... I trust you guys.

As Walter spoke with the crew, the tiger shark had started gaining speed. The tiger shark swam around Walt's cage, and slammed its self hard against the boat twice. The second hit caused Walter's cage to tilt hitting him hard in the face, and causing a nose bleed.

Hey guys! What the hell's going on!

We don't know Walt we are going to bring you up, but the pulley system is on the fritz. Just stay calm down there.

Okay, I'm bleeding

It's fine Walt just stay calm we are working as fast as we can

As soon as the guide finished speaking the tiger shark appeared in front of the cage attracted by the blood most likely. Walter stayed as still, and as calm as possible. It seemed to work the tiger shark was losing interest. Then Walter's watch went off. The alarm blared out in a higher frequency then normal, as if being amplified by the water.

This threw the tiger shark in to a frenzy. The shark began charging, and biting the cage. Walter was sure he would die. In a last ditch effort Walter took off his watch, and tossed it as hard as he could. Walter watched as the great white turned its attention to the sinking watch. At the same time the cage began to rise.

Are you okay Walt.

My routine almost killed me.

What? Walter are you okay.

Yes I'm fine. take me inland please.

Sure thing Walt.

Walter sat in disbelief, and shock. Not only from the shark attack, but from the fact that his routine, literally almost got him killed. Walter came to the realization that his routine did not keep him safe. It prevented him from enjoying life. Walter made a silent vial right then. To never be a slave to his routine again. to live life to the fullest. Because any day may be your last.