Leisure Room

An elderly woman tucks you into the large plain bed. You lay on your side, as instructed by the television she rolled in. You notice the involuntary shaking of her hands and are instructed to 'soak in your luxurious surroundings'.

The room is a large white cube warmly lit by dim orange bulbs dotted about the walls behind a variety of shades.

The carpet is cream except for the path back to the door, worn by years of traversal by the lady and her trolley. You watch her as she leaves and see the outside turn to black.

An unseen speaker above you crackles. "Please rest your head on the pillow", an old woman's voice trembles. You loosen your body against the thick soft bedding. "Is it OK?" she asks, as if cowering before royalty, "Do you want it fluffed, sir?".

You respond to the ceiling with gentle urgency "No, it's absolutely fine thank-"

"-Please look at the screen" she quietly pleads.

"Sorry.", you turn back around. The blank screen stares at you an arm's length from your bedside. It flickers on and warms up through paler shades of black then pops into monochrome noise.

A tape machine at the base of the trolley clicks loudly as it begins rewinding, startling you slightly.

"...there we are..." a distant voice whispers through the speaker as a triangular play icon displays briefly on the screen.

'15/05/2017 01:56' appears on the bottom-right of the home video footage. A man in his forties wearing thick glasses and a brown sweater is seen reclining in a grey-blue armchair in front of a small television. He takes a sip of water and sighs as the credits light the room animating the structure of his blank face.

'27/02/2018 13:23'

The man is sitting on a the edge of a fountain in a park. It's a bright sunny day. There are children playing, teenagers shouting, couples going for walks, and everyone is enjoying the weather.

The man is looking down at a small carrier bag between his feet. He slowly looks either side of himself then takes out a water bottle. It is filled with frothy amber liquid. He drinks the whole bottle. A middle age woman frowns as she walks past with her friends.

'06/07/2012 23:19'

The man is sat on the carpet next to the grey-blue armchair. His eyes are drooping and red. He is scratching the head of a large dog that is resting its head on his lap.

He raises a can to his lips but his mouth pushes the can out of his hands onto the dog. The can spills down the dog's side. The dog doesn't move.

The man lifts up the can without looking and takes a sip. He wipes the side of the dog with his sleeve as he looks down at an empty space on the carpet.

The man lies down on his side and looks at the camera.

A tear rolls down your cheek.

The tape snaps off and the lights start fading up in the room.

"Thanks dear"; the old lady is stood to attention by the door, holding it open for you; "when you're ready"; she smiles; she looks much younger than before; "PayPal at the desk next to the food machine."