First-person satirical monologue — institutional authority & psychological dissonance

Sideways Straightjacket

A darkly satirical monologue examining institutional authority, psychological dissonance, and the quiet violence of professional power.

They say,

"Find a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

But they never mention not to confuse titles for trust.

Never let the confidence of a professional Professional disarm you.

Just look at Ted Bundy —

he totally killed it.

If we all know the world is a sick place, why do we behave in every interaction with the smile and sincerity of a ventriloquist dummy, and the cadence of an automated voicemail?

We act polite, but not for others.

I have a feeling Jesus sees this maneuver — and the brownie points to "no."

Don't get me wrong —

it's hard to resist a man in uniform.

A clean white coat takes me away every time.

But when those mean old men in their bright white coats missed the turn for the Funny Farm, I realized it was the fluorescent lights that made their jackets glow.

I didn't realize until now…

It's also what was dimming me.

(We thought it was a joke.

And so we laughed — we laughed!…)