Went to the doctor today. Figured it was time, been awhile, and they keep sending me these notes, like: “Time for your scheduled checkup,” and “Good health is your right,” and “We have people who can help you with your paranoia. We won’t tell anybody.”

I was sitting in a chair waiting my turn and looked down the corridor where a guy was sitting on the edge of that long padded thing they have you lie on so they can get at you.

I heard them talking.

“There’s really nothing wrong with me.”

“It doesn’t hurt to check. That’s why I’m here. What’s this little scab on your ear?”

“Don’t touch that!”

“Maybe if I just lift the edge so I can see what’s going on underneath…”

Chaotic lights flashed on his face and a spurt of liquid hit his face which started to dissolve.

He dissolved from the head on down and his empty clothes fell in a pile on the floor. A janitor came by and swept them up into the trash.

A nurse ran in and put a bandage of the patient’s ear.

A man walking by looked in and laughed, “Think you’re the Prez?”

The patient turned and looked at me and I felt noticed.

I decided not to stay after all, and started walking home.

“It’s all those science fiction movies we all watched. Like they were preparing us for something.” And, “Even before movies, there were books that warned us.”

I remember when I was little and saw the movie “Invaders from Mars.” That’s where the boy hero falls through the ground and the aliens grab him. It scared me so bad I couldn’t sleep. I asked my Father if I could sleep in his bed to feel safe and he said yes, so for the next two years that’s where I slept. I guess I never got over it.

People would say, “You’re paranoid.” I’d say, “So what?”

I had a lot to think about as I walked home. I can still drive, but after I fell asleep at the wheel, I thought I’d better not. My driving days are over.

Just like teaching. I used to teach school until one day I noticed the students were like zombies. Their eyes were dull, just looking at their little devices, not paying attention to me. So I quit.

Now I stay home and watch TV to get through the day.

As I walked home through the neighborhood, everything seemed strange.

I got home and sat with the lights off.

There was a knock at the door.

“Mailman!”

I’ve seen that movie.

I didn’t open the door.