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MidReal Story
The Restless Postbox
Scenario:A postbox tired of standing on the street.
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Olivia Lampost
a wise old lamppost, mentor to Percy, tall and weathered, insightful and supportive
Benny Bench
a cheerful bench, ally of Percy and Olivia, wooden with carved initials, loyal and humorous
Percy Postbox
the sentient postbox, friends with local objects, red with chipped paint, curious and resilient
I was born in 1923.
I’ve been standing on this street corner for ninety-five years.
I’ve been here longer than the trees, the houses, and the people who live in them.
I’ve seen people come and go, grow old and die.
I’ve watched children grow up and have children of their own.
I’ve seen wars, depressions, and recessions.
I’ve seen it all, and I’m still standing.
But I’m tired of standing.
I want to move.
I want to see the world.
I want to find out where I truly belong.
But how can a postbox like me ever hope to find his place in the world?
"Good morning, Percy," says Olivia Lampost as I wake up for another day of collecting mail.
"Good morning, Olivia," I reply.
"How are you today?"
"I’m good," she says with a smile.
"How about you?"
"I’m restless," I say with a sigh.
"I feel like there’s something more out there for me."
Olivia is a wise old lamppost who has stood on this street corner for almost as long as I have.
She flickers her light thoughtfully, casting a warm glow over the cobblestones.
"What do you mean, Percy?" she asks gently.
"I want to see the world," I confess, feeling a rush of emotion. "I want to know what lies beyond this street corner."
Olivia listens patiently, her light flickering in rhythm with my words.
"Have you ever thought about talking to Benny Bench?" she suggests. "He hears all sorts of stories from passersby. He might have some advice for you."
Benny Bench is just down the street, a sturdy old bench who has been around almost as long as Olivia and me.
I look at Olivia, her light steady and reassuring.
"Do you really think he could help?" I ask.
"It’s worth a try," she replies with a soft smile.
I mull over her suggestion as the day goes on. People come and go, dropping letters into me, each one carrying their hopes, dreams, and worries. I feel the weight of their words pressing against my metal frame.
As the sun sets and the street grows quiet, I gather my courage.
"Olivia," I whisper, "I’ve decided. I’m going to talk to Benny."
Her light flickers brighter for a moment.
"Good for you, Percy," she says warmly. "I’ll keep an eye on things here while you’re gone."
With determination building inside me, I prepare for my first step into the unknown. I wait until the street is empty, then slowly start to move. My hinges creak from years of inactivity, but I push forward.
The journey to Benny Bench feels like an eternity, though it’s only a few meters away. Finally, I reach him.
"Benny," I call out softly.
The old bench creaks as he shifts slightly.
"Percy? Is that you?" he asks in his deep, gravelly voice.
"Yes, it’s me," I reply. "I need your advice."
Benny chuckles softly.
"What can an old bench like me do for a postbox like you?"
"I want to see the world," I say earnestly. "Olivia said you might know how I can do that."
Benny is silent for a moment, considering my words.
"I’ve heard many stories from people sitting on me," he begins slowly. "Some talk about far-off places and grand adventures. But leaving your spot isn’t easy."
"I know," I say quietly. "But I have to try."
Benny sighs deeply.
"Alright then," he says finally. "There’s a man who comes by every morning at dawn. He talks about traveling and seeing new places. Maybe he can help you."
Hope sparks within me.
"Thank you, Benny," I say gratefully.
As night falls deeper and the stars twinkle above, I return to my spot next to Olivia.
"How did it go?" she asks softly.
"Benny told me about a man who might be able to help," I reply. "I’ll wait for him tomorrow morning."
Olivia’s light flickers warmly.
"I’m proud of you, Percy," she says gently.
Morning arrives with a golden hue spreading across the sky. My anticipation grows with each passing minute until finally, I see him—a tall man with a weathered face and kind eyes approaching.
This is it.
The man approaches with a steady gait, his eyes scanning the surroundings before settling on me.
I feel a rush of excitement and anxiety as he gets closer.
"Good morning," he says, tipping his hat slightly.
"Good morning," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looks at me curiously, as if sensing there's more to this postbox than meets the eye.
"I've heard you talk about traveling," I begin, my words tumbling out in a rush. "I want to see the world. Can you help me?"
The man raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my directness.
He crouches down to get a better look at me.
"You want to travel?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
"Yes," I say earnestly. "I've been here for ninety-five years. I need to know what else is out there."
He nods thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he considers my plea.
"Well, that's quite a story," he says finally. "And quite a request."
I wait, holding my breath—or at least what would be breath if I had lungs.
The man stands up and looks around, taking in the quiet street and the early morning light casting long shadows on the cobblestones.
"I think I might have a solution for you," he says slowly.
My heart—or whatever serves as my heart—leaps with hope.
"What is it?" I ask eagerly.
He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small, intricately carved wooden box.
"This," he says, holding it up for me to see, "is a magical device that can transport objects to different places."
I stare at the box, hardly daring to believe what I'm hearing.
"How does it work?" I ask, my voice trembling with excitement.
He smiles and opens the box, revealing a glowing crystal inside.
"You place this crystal inside yourself," he explains. "It will allow you to move freely and explore the world."
I can hardly contain my joy.
"Thank you!" I exclaim. "Thank you so much!"
He chuckles softly and carefully places the crystal inside my mail slot.
As soon as the crystal touches my interior, I feel a surge of energy coursing through me.
My hinges loosen, and I feel lighter than air.
"It's working!" I say in amazement.
The man steps back and watches as I take my first tentative steps forward.
The world seems brighter, more vibrant than ever before.
"Remember," he says gently, "the crystal will guide you, but it's up to you to find your way."
I nod, feeling a sense of purpose and determination like never before.
"I won't forget," I promise.
With one last look at Olivia Lampost and Benny Bench, who are both watching with expressions of pride and encouragement, I take my first steps away from the street corner that has been my home for nearly a century.
The world around me transforms as I move further from the familiar street corner.
The cobblestones give way to smooth pavement, and buildings grow taller and more modern.
I find myself in a bustling city, the air filled with the sounds of honking cars, chattering people, and distant construction.
"Excuse me," I call out to a nearby traffic light.
"Where am I?"
The traffic light blinks green before responding.
"Welcome to Metropolis Central," it says. "You're in the heart of the city."
I marvel at the towering skyscrapers and the sea of people rushing by.
Each person seems to have their own destination, their own purpose.
I wonder what mine will be.
As I continue exploring, I come across a sleek, modern bench made of polished steel.
"Hello there," I say.
"Hello," the bench replies cheerfully. "I'm Stella. What brings you here?"
"I'm Percy," I introduce myself. "I'm on a journey to see the world and find my true purpose."
Stella hums thoughtfully.
"Well, you've come to the right place. This city is full of stories and opportunities."
I spend hours wandering through Metropolis Central, absorbing the energy and diversity of the city.
I meet a wise old clock tower who tells me about the city's history and a friendly fountain that shares tales of wishes made by passersby.
Eventually, I decide it's time to move on.
I activate the crystal inside me, feeling a gentle tug as it guides me to my next destination.
The bustling city fades away, replaced by the serene tranquility of a quiet forest.
Tall trees surround me, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze.
Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
"Hello?" I call out tentatively.
A nearby tree sways gently in response.
"Welcome to Evergreen Forest," it says in a deep, soothing voice. "What brings you here?"
"I'm Percy," I reply. "I'm exploring new places and learning about their stories."
The tree nods its branches.
"You'll find many stories here. The forest is ancient and full of wisdom."
As I venture deeper into the forest, I meet a variety of objects with fascinating tales to tell.
A moss-covered rock recounts legends of ancient times, while a babbling brook shares secrets whispered by the wind.
I feel a sense of peace in Evergreen Forest, but I know my journey isn't over yet.
With a grateful farewell to my new friends, I activate the crystal once more.
This time, I find myself on a sunny beach.
Golden sand stretches out before me, meeting the sparkling blue ocean at the horizon.
Seagulls cry overhead, and waves lap gently at the shore.
"Hello!" I call out over the sound of crashing waves.
A colorful beach umbrella flutters in response.
"Hi there! Welcome to Sandy Shores."
"I'm Percy," I introduce myself again. "I'm traveling to different places and learning about their unique magic."
The umbrella twirls happily.
"You'll love it here! The beach is full of life and wonder."
I spend my time on Sandy Shores meeting various objects with their own unique stories.
A weathered lifeguard chair tells me about daring rescues and summer romances, while a seashell whispers tales of underwater adventures.
As I explore these diverse places—the bustling city, the quiet forest, and the sunny beach—I begin to understand that each location has its own special magic.
Every object I meet teaches me something valuable about life and purpose.
But as much as I've learned from these travels, I realize that my journey is far from over.
The crystal inside me pulses gently, reminding me that there's still more to discover.
