KEEP PLANNING time / space / about #008 Anthony Dragonetti Your Driver Departs in Four Minutes

Last chance. No more being late. One final opportunity to turn it all around. And how many finals have there been already? Not this time. This really is it. The alarm never went off. It’s no one’s fault. Things happen. Due to planned maintenance the train won’t stop here for another week. The bus is delayed half an hour. It’s no one’s fault. Money’s tight, but call a car. Go without for now or go without forever? The choice is clear. Just call the car. Throw on an outfit during the wait. A quick brush of the teeth. It’ll only take a few minutes. Enough time for the driver to get here from wherever. Brush teeth first because the bathroom is closer than the bedroom. Optimize. How’s that go? Assess, optimize...act? But, act should come second because how do you know what needs optimizing if you don’t do it first? Well, you’re supposed to think ahead. Visualize the consequences and act accordingly without making making the mistake. Okay, just a quick brush and keep it moving. Jeans should be good. Maybe black jeans. They can look a bit more formal, but still communicate casual if necessary. The phone vibrates with a notification: Your driver departs in four minutes. Stupid shoe. Can slip on the left no problem. Have to untie the right for some reason. Knot too tight. One of those small ones to lazily double knot over and worry about later. Don’t have time for this. Jam the foot in. Just push. Come on. Going to break a finger trying to slip the ankle in. It hurts so bad. Phone. Keys. Keys? Wallet. Where are the keys? You fuck. Where are you, you fuck? Why are you doing this to me? I have to go. Another phone notification: I’m here. Not where they were left. Did they move on their own? Remember putting them down on the dresser where they aren’t now. Obviously that wasn’t the last touch. Who’s been here? Is it even possible? Could it be a conspiracy? Who else is in on this? More vibrations: I’m here. I can’t keep waiting. I will cancel the ride. No, wait. Leave the door unlocked. Take the risk. Who walks around jiggling door knobs? The stove. Didn’t check the knobs on the stove. Was the stove even turned on today? Have to check. Tap each of them to the right towards the off position. One, two, three, four. Oven. Five. Double check, tap them again. One, two, three, four, five. They’re off. It’s fine. Is the sink leaking? Move the handle around. Remember that time the floor was covered in water in the morning. A booming knock at the door accompanied by an irate voice: I have to leave. You’re holding me up. There’s no more time. Wait. Almost ready. Just one more thing. A shuffling behind the door. The softest jingling of keys. Footsteps diminishing down the hall, taking the voice with them. It’s too late. It was when you started.

*** Anthony Dragonetti is the author of THIS IS WHAT YOU GET (Feral Dove). 20 May 2025