There is a very special place. We’ve all been there. Yes, even you.
Perhaps it was only for a fraction of a second and dismissed just as quickly, perhaps you are not even consciously aware of it.
But, once I tell you, you will never forget it. And you’ll be surprised by the number of times it happens to you. It doesn’t matter what you call that place, the name will probably differ from person to person.
Me? I call that place OFF.
Another thing you should remember is that you can’t knowingly go there. No matter what you do, how drastic, it is not possible.
e.g. Even if you stick your head up Ernest Borgnine’s ass, it won’t do you any good. (I thought about explaining this reference, for I didn’t just pluck it out the air, but it should be more fun leaving you hanging...)
It must be a surprise. Like a pregnancy after a vasectomy...
"That damn doctor screwed up my wife's vasectomy, I tell ya!"
Interested yet?
I’ll try to explain as best I can:
OFF is where your mind goes when you fully believe, even for a fraction of a second, something that goes against your personal logic, reason and life experience. In other words, to believe in something you think is impossible.
I can see that frown, so let me give you some examples:
- When you brace yourself and pick something up which you thought were going to be heavier than it actually is, and for a fraction of a second you believe you’ve become stronger.
- When you get on a skateboard for the first time, and for a moment you think to yourself you can do this, right before your feet goes the opposite direction than your body.
- When you walk into the bar, and this beautiful girl gives you this big, welcoming smile, and you think to yourself ‘This girl digs me!’, right before her huge boyfriend who entered after you passes you.
- When they give you a mixed Rubik’s cube and you think you can solve it.
Are you getting what I’m saying, here? Give me some more examples, I beg you to make me laugh...
Anyway, the reason a went into this whole unwanted explanation, is to make you understand that this book takes place, almost entirely, in OFF. Things may seem normal at the gas station, but there is just a little something, well, off.
While I enjoyed the humor a lot (it has this JOHN DIES AT THE END vibe), and the writing was much better than I expected, it felt a little too long for what it offered. It is the first one in a series, so there is more story to come, but once the gag has run its course, it’s probably better to put it to bed.
So, the best advice I can give you, is to break this one up into two or three parts. Read something in between, just to keep the humor fresh.
Still, very good effort and I’m glad I read it.