Story Idea Ramble

The character central to this story is John Doe, a man not especially skilled in any particular field or endowed with any extraordinary gifts either mentally or physically. He is an average man of a simple benevolent nature. Maybe he does have talents, he is a gifted mathematician, something concrete but in no way directly relevant to the unfolding of the main story. Something to make him seem "normal". Because no one is average really once you get to know them, as this tale reveals. Res ipsa loquitor. Single, 25, works at Starbucks, not worried about long term goals, just going to college, saving money, living somewhat satisfactorily, all the while with a sharp eye out for opportunity, quietly dredging the muddy rivers of life for engaging matter. Nothing significant marks his past, no trauma or tragedy that had to be dealt with, o life shaping events entirely unexpected. Perhaps death in the family as is expected, maybe he was close to this particular grandmother, but he experiences loss and overcomes the sadness which it brings. He has a moderate array of life experience with which to guide in in his endeavours. By no means is he naive or ignorant. He is well educated, having applied himself in high school to a reasonable degree, having been raised with a good set of morals and values, having been taught work ethic and the value of virtue et cetera. He is keen to his surroundings. Once victim to sleight of hand but now more mature and wise. He is by all means no dummy. Not one to be susceptible to some underhanded scam or trickery. Not gullible, not one to fall prey to con artists.
So here we have this man who we know to some comfortable degree, with whom we may be able to relate or share character. Thus a standard, or point of relativity, has been established. Meaning the reader has now accepted this plot and setting as believable and ordinary, akin to his or her own everyday experience. That is why the revelations regarding the other characters is disturbing. There is never given any material unrealistic in nature with which these revelations may be comfortably put into context with. Such as the effect being compared to a missile shooting towards you on a video screen. This event is not frightening because it is easily put into the context of being a video based on an infinity of sobering factors. In the case of this story, there are no such factors. Therefore, it is equivalent to the missile shooting towards you with nothing at all around you to suggest this event is happening in any other context than 'right here right now'.

Who are these characters whom we will meet throughout the story? People much like John Doe, only much less developed. They may be his co-workers, boss, fellow barista etc, or maybe a customer. A well dressed, clean cut business man with a bright, heart warming smile who is ever the most gracious and polite customer, a pleasure to serve. The amicable high school student reviewing assignments comfortably posited in one of the supple and feathery soft divine chairs. A grumpy older gentlemen, clothed in pristine Kashmir sweater and pressed khakis terminating in bland loafers. A trio of high pitched high school girls bubbling with superficial character. A man curled up in the angelically soft cushions, typing away on his laptop no doubt penning the next best seller soon to grace the shelves of barnes n noble. These are the characters we meet. And even now, without appropriate description or setting of atmosphere, we are wrapped in a cozy coffee shop phantasmagoria of people, their personalities, thoughts, ideas, and actions. A scene so benevolent in itself it could be its own story, one of joyous contemplation of the human condition.
That the epitome of wistful enjoyment of ones surroundings can so easily be twisted into such a seething and teetering roulette wheel of grim farce, deceit, mental sickness and wicked deed is a source of fear in itself, not even having been the least bit aided by literary effulgence, not yet. And now I am so bold as to suggest that with the careful prodding and manipulation of words this heinous phantasmagoria can be further drawn out into its own writhing maelstrom of panic, almost sentient in its ability to anthropomorphize irrational behaviour.
Secrets kept deep within our hearts and minds, so familiar with age they do not bother us, but were they to be revealed to others, jaws would become slack with bewilderment and utter revulsion, and minds would reel with the sharp pains accompanying sudden insertion of certain deformed pictures and misshapen suggestions. If you were to come into possession of a singular key to fit the lock of these carefully tucked away trunks of abhorred reality, would you pry up the lid, thus being forced to view your peers as they truly are, all without the merciful veil of half truth and benign omission? Salubrity abounds in our inability to perceive the fleeting thoughts of others. Cursed would be those who become rattled by clairvoyance. Extra sensory perception is not a boon but an impediment in the path of sane and wholesome pursuits. All these are simply expedient to self destruction.