Swings are free!

I drift into a light slumber, my mind whirling from the days events, the ever moving colossal money machine in such close proximity, seems oblivious to the small exhausted willow that shelters me from the angry sun. If trees could scream, would they??? with the machine so close why did they leave this tree, just no value in it I guess....if they are going to charge dammit! there better be a return! As I watch the machine sweat and bitch under the pressing sun, I wonder if the value of some sweet shade is just too simple for the machine to comprehend. Small victory for the common man and I take full advantage and drift to sleep.

The dream approaches me slowly...beautifully, my son and I are walking through a tranquil park, weekday...about 11:00 am, most of the machine is busy, the park is lonely and welcomes us with a bright sunny smile. My 3 year old son motions towards a unique assembled piece of machinery, confused I look at him and can tell he would love to go closer. Wary as any father would be we approach with caution, my son getting more and more excited by the moment. This machine had the shape of a triangle on both ends with 2 black plastic molds hanging from industrial chains, connected to the top, Well the next thing you know as I try and take this whole thing in, my son hops up on one of the plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top.

Needless to say I am freaked, I have an obligation to uphold, ever since I was elected to track the 'machine' (not a position I took easily, the others felt that because I have the largest Tilley hat that I would remain the coolest, and I have to agree.) I have been on high alert, wary of any new branch of the machine that I might get caught up in financially. After a few moments of my son sitting on the plastic mold hanging by industrial chains connected to the top and me standing beside him bewildered....nothing happens...boy, have I been a fool...worrying for nothing...harmless....hehehe, do I feel foolish. " Sorry Son, I proclaim, Let your Dad get the good times started." I assure him.

  I reach into my pocket and grab some loose change, still chuckling at my obvious 'gap' in reality, there, this thing probably takes quarters by the looks of it, who knows they could have updated it to take the really big doubloons. Now where the heck is that money slot, most likely on the far side, I make sure my son has a good grip on the industrial chains hanging from the top as I trot to the far side, not there either, for the love of....why right now, kids don't have patience for this type of thing, just my luck I find the only broken down thing in the park. 'Sorry Buddy, maybe next time, it's broken, I can't get it going', I say as gingerly as possible. He was heartbroken, just sat there staring blankly into the beautiful park, father, son, broken down triangular thing with plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top.

Then it happened, I saw it, frustration, determination, the heart of the young is like a lion, my son would not be denied, he twisted, he grunted, kicked his legs up, back and forth, he looked at me with a connection that only a father and son have then screamed 'Push'....push???, like a crystal bullet through the center of my brain, 'That's my Boy!' I rejoice, clever lad, he will not be fooled by the machine. I quickly get behind him and push!...wow, off he went sailing through the air, up high, then back again....push! and he was off again. Before you knew it we were laughing and having the most wonderful time in the warm sun, he swung and swung, high, then low with little twists, all the fun we could want. I had to stop and reflect for a moment, you know children are very special, it doesn't matter if there are no sound effects or flashing lights, the hidden mechanics to swing the plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top can just have the day off, no need to complain,' Hey I want this thing up and running, Yesterday! fella, no, no, my friends, Today there is no need for that.....today the swings are free. 

Just as I was having the best time since I can remember, I feel something coming on, what is this that invades my perfect world. It comes in waves, I can't make it out, I struggle to stay clear in my world but it is relentless, my head clears, for a mere moment then I am bombarded with hideous images, relentless fear mongering, the lighting, the big red bar updating me with moment by moment propaganda of the most awful kind...and...and....gillette commercials for the perfect shave! What is this new nightmare, this attachment of what most certainly has to be the 'machine'...this....this, nightmare that has interrupted my dream. I clench my lids and peer into this new glowing beast, pull down my oversized tilley hat and prepare for the worst. Rebel 7