In the Lives of Puppets

by T.J. Klune

Nurse Ratched’s screen had turned into a line of exclamation points.

the exclamation points disappearing, being replaced by a face with a funny smile, wide eyes surrounded by long eyelashes. “Hey, big boy. You should put your finger in my socket.”

Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that can change everything when you least expect it.”

“What a strange existence we find ourselves in. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

“You were made to bring happiness. You are alive in ways we are not. You are soft and fragile. But you are complex and disturbing and sometimes foolishly brilliant.

“Because all beings deserve a chance to find out what life could be when they don’t have to serve others.”

“It’s a good name. It stands for Hysterically Angry Puppet because he looks like he’s always mad. I think that’s just his face, though.”

“He is like a fungus. He grows on you.

“Walk normal.” “What is n-normal?” Hap asked. “Something you will not find here,” Nurse Ratched said. Vic hated everyone in the lab.

“While you r-recharged. You make noise.” He opened his mouth wide and began to snore obnoxiously.

“They are not prepared for this gelatin.”