The Book Of Approved Words: After Dinner Conversation, #26

By W.M. Pienton

Synopsis: A government approved "author" is tempted to show the world the words they are missing.

After Dinner Conversation is a growing series of short stories across genres to draw out deeper discussions with friends and family. Each story is an accessible example of an abstract ethical or philosophical idea and is accompanied by suggested discussion questions.

Podcast discussion of this short story, and others, is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Youtube.

• Language: English
• Publisher: After Dinner Conversation
• Release date: Jan 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393861843

Book preview

The Book Of Approved Words

After Dinner Conversation Series

I RELAXED ON THE COUCH watching an illegal show on videotape. They had such freedom of language back then, I thought.

"I told you to sit, retard," the man on the screen shouted.

Reluctantly plopping down, the other man mumbled, Faggot.

We can’t get away with those words anymore, I thought, turning the volume down. When the episode finished, I shut off the VCR and TV. Back to work, I mumbled.

I am an Approved Writer and have to regularly update my published works, deleting words recently made illegal. Sitting, I read from my laptop: The pink, blue, and white sky reminded me of Easter. Earlier this year the word Easter was made illegal. It excludes non-Christians and is now considered offensive.

TWO HOURS LATER, I leaned back in my chair rubbing my eyes, thinking, "Can’t take anymore today. I really should be using the