happiness is just around the corner, the sun will come up tomorrow, blah blah blah blah blah.


"perhaps it would be wiser to tell our children that happiness, just like anything else on this concrete expanse of city, is earned. through diligence, hard work and perseverence."

"but they're children."

"they deserve the truth."

"the truth? our children should live pleasant lives, coddled away from the more painful aspects of modern civilization. don't take away santa claus and magic and fantasy. you grew up with it. i did, too. we turned out fine, didn't we, dear?"

"the magic? the cinderella fantasy? who does it come true for, honey? who?"

"it must have happened for someone. after all, we all still believe in it."

"we all? i gave it up a long time ago."

"aren't you happy? you and i, we live a good life, don't we?"

"it's all good and dear, honey. but we worked for this. hours upon hours of our lives, that's what each piece of furniture, each appliance, each bill represents to me."

"hours we spent together, in our store, working and sweating, tired. i cherish every moment. you and our children made every second worthwhile."

"my high school friends didn't have to work 16 hour days, 7 days a way, 365 days a year. i married you because i loved you. more than anything in the world. i still do. but i don't ever want my children leading this life."




dreams. tell me yours. and i'll tell you mine.