Sleep Soundly

By ESTHER HERVY and Albert Spano

Do you remember the first time you tried to hold your breath? You were a child and you were having fun. You filled lungs with as much air as possible, filled your cheeks and counted to sixty. I played that game too, and I still smile when I think about it. But today everything changed, and I’m afraid. Ever since I was named to a management position in the huge company I work for a few days ago, someone or something is preventing me from breathing when I try to fill my lungs. An invisible hand presses my chest or pinches my nose, ensuring that not a single oxygen molecule feeds my body. Any semblance of life is out of the question now. And even though I’m not dead yet, I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ESTHER HERVY
• Release date: Nov 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781547557097

Book preview

SLEEP SOUNDLY

BY

Esther HERVY & Albert SPANO

1

I heard about my nomination two weeks ago, and in two hours it’ll become reality. At this moment, it’s like tasting of life eternal. Like drinking from the cup of Christ. Strength and power for me, and above all, money. This is the position I’ve coveted since joining the company. Since then things have moved fast: in a few months’ time I’ve surpassed my adversaries, cast off dead weight, and brushed aside the obstacles that have hindered my progress along this ambitious path. And my goal has been achieved. The excitement felt since the announcement of my promotion has reached breaking point. I can’t wait to tackle this headfirst. The email began with "Dear team and ended with We wish him the greatest success, for him, and for our company."

Unlimited satisfaction. Yet, tonight I awoke early once again, most likely due to the euphoria of my success. A full night’s sleep has become a distant memory for me. I have to admit, these new responsibilities have consumed my mind. Executive manager of a large business, the climax of my career. Those crowded, open offices are over with. As the newest manager I’ll have the right to preferential treatment. A private office on the top floor with a view of the Seine, a parking spot, a large salary. And oh, the bonuses! Such that I won’t know what to do with.

The coinage. So much of it. Like I’ve never made before. The thought of it has begun to derail my runaway thoughts, little by little. I can’t help but envision the Mercedes Coupe that I’m going to get myself, even though I don’t like cars, or driving, once the Euros begin flowing into my bank account. "Your parking spot..." This is what my mind has managed to retain, and with all the other things that will be coming my way, is what has sent it reeling... I still don’t have a car, nor am I in my new position, and yet I already feel richer, and stronger.

Big rims, metallic painting, interior leather, dashboard made of precious wood... A blatant sign of wealth. In reality I really don’t want it. But my mind, my easily excited mind, yearns for it. To such a point, as I was telling you, that my nights have almost become an extension of my days, a strange force preventing me from finding sleep.

Sunday morning. 3:27am. I try to calm the cerebral activity that refuses to go into sleep mode. I open my eyes to the ceiling in my room. They won’t close again, I know it! I get up and move to the couch, hoping this attempt at diversion will thwart my rebellious mind. I turn on the TV, naively believing in its sleep-inducing powers.

The sports broadcasts flashes by in a loop. The minutes, and then the hours, slip away, and I know all of the scores by heart, but sleep, sleep has decided not to make another appearance.

"And it’s over. Paris Saint Germain will no longer be training at the Camp des Loges, the capital’s team will be