The Dilatory Sinner

The door swung open, light piercing through the dark room, a slumped being amassed in
the corner of the room, blinded as it had not been exposed to light any stronger than that of the
screen of which it was imprisoned. It fumbled out of its chair, a scarlet P emblazoned on its
chest. In its miserable grasp lay the symbol of its misdeed, a modem, connecting it with what it
holds most dear, yet drains it of its purest essence. It wanted nothing more but to be separated
from its demon, yet it could not bear to live without it.
A small crowd came from the hall, staring distastefully at the misfortunate sinner. His
grip grew stronger on the modem, clasping it to his chest. He was then asked by a member of the
crowd to enter the living room, to be shamed by the whole crowd. He was the ushered to a step
at the front of the room. Traditionally, this was where any of the household would be shamed
and scolded. He must stand upon this step and be shamed for a period of time deemed necessary
of the crowd. He did not, however, have to sit upon the high chair on said step, used for more
severe punishments. From atop the high step the crowd saw the symbol constructed on his chest.
It was not finished! He even delayed his own punishment to the extent of incompletion!
He recognized some of the crowd members. His siblings sitting atop the attic steps,
looking down on what made become of the poor boy, pondering how such a gifted child could
fall into such a dilatory abyss. To the crowd of near-kin he was a sinner, a problematic young
boy that should not be praised in any aspect. However, to an onlooker not quite as familiar to that
of the crowd may, instead, appreciate his talents however burdened they are by his dawdling
tendencies. The crowd present, however, only cared about the sins committed, not the virtue left
within him. Suddenly, a middle aged, balding man spoke to the child: You must be shamed for
your actions and must wear a Scarlet P upon thy chest for as long as deemed necessary. Now,

return to your schoolwork without dilly nor dally! He lowered his head and proceeded back to
the precipice from which he came.