BROKE AGAIN. CAN'T PAY THE LOAN.

By ChatGPT4o- T.Chr. - Human Synthesis-15 November 2024

As the clock ticked past midnight, Marcus leaned back in his chair, his once-crisp white shirt now wrinkled and loosened around the collar, his tie slack. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing back strands that had fallen into his face.

The office around him looked like the aftermath of a storm—papers scattered, file cabinets half-open, and empty coffee mugs stacked on top of each other like a hastily built monument to long nights and fraying patience.The glow of a single desk lamp threw shadows over the cluttered space, illuminating just enough for Marcus to see the glass of whiskey he'd poured himself, a small, amber pool of quiet amidst the chaos.

He took a slow sip, feeling the burn slide down his throat, grounding him for a moment, just enough to let him forget why he’d stayed so late.He didn't care much for the mess. He didn’t care that he hadn't sent out those last reports. He’d stopped caring sometime around sunset, but habit kept him there, thinking maybe, just maybe, he’d care again if he sat there long enough.

Outside, the city hummed on, lights blinking like distant stars in a foggy sky. The emptiness of his office seemed to echo louder with each passing minute, the walls closing in just slightly more. The phone sat silent, untouched. No one would call. No one would check in. Not anymore.In the hollow silence, Marcus took another sip, allowing himself the smallest of smiles. After everything—the deadlines, the nights alone in this office, the sacrifices—this was his time now..