"Hello, I would like to put up a display in my front yard for the Freedom Day Festival. How much is the permit this year?"
"It's the same as last year Mr. Crabbs, $100. But all displays must meet our guidelines before we can issue final approval. The pre application process is an additional $50, non refundable. If denied and you still want to do it, you'll need to apply again." said the elderly lady behind the desk.
"No thanks... I think I'll just go with flying the official flag over the front door this year." said the disappointed young man.
"Why? If you are using the decorations sold at the store, it's unlikely that you will have a problem."
"We had planned to make them ourselves. We don't want to look like every other house on the block. The flag will be plenty."
"That will be $25 please." she replied, a little sadly.
"I already have my flag, I'm good to go."
"No, I meant the fee. All decorations now carry one, it funds the City Pride Patrol."
"What is that, Ma'am?"
"It's group of employees who go around making sure our city is in tip top shape. They take note of anything that looks out of place. They are going to help make sure everyone takes pride in their part of Freedomville."
"I see. Here's $25, thank you for your time, Ma'am."
"You're welcome, Sir. Oh, before you leave, please sign this petition to allow us to censor Romeo and Juliet at Freedomville High? We have to protect our children."
"Of course, Ma'am. I have children of my own. I want to protect them as much as I can."
The young man then left City Hall, flag license in hand. He drove through the picture perfect city, which was rated as the most beautiful in the nation. Pride swelled within him.
The park was clean, with playground equipment some theme parks would be proud to own. The nature trails were groomed to perfection, and the duck pond as blue as the sky. Downtown Freedomville was spotless. You would never find so much as a candy wrapper littering the sidewalk.
Suddenly he slammed on the brakes as he drove past The Soaring Eagle Cafe. Some teenage delinquent was sketching his girlfriend as she sat on the bench set out for people to use while drinking coffee on nice days.
"What do you think you're doing, young man? You're too young to be a licensed artist. You know the rules. No individual artwork is to be displayed outside of your own home."
"I'm not displaying it, Sir. I just wanted to do a rough sketch here, and finish it at home."
"Well people walking by could see it. Do you want to offend someone?" he asked, indignantly.
"No, Sir." he replied, stuffing it into his pocket and hanging his head.
Mr. Crabbs then got back in his vehicle, proud to have done his part to keep Freedomville the best city in the nation.
This is a 100% power up post
Cover image is from Canva, using their gallery
Great piece here.
To censor what our children watch via electronic media, parents, school and the society have a huge role to play.
Thanks :) This story was actually about a fictional place that went too far in trying to protect. They stifled creativity in their efforts to have a perfect life.
!PIZZA !ALIVE
Wow I don't think we are very far off this reality, bit scary really, so much is being censored right now. Great entry @wrestlingdesires x
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement ❤️
We really are heading in this direction 😢If we don't wake up now, censoring books and ornaments will just be the beginning.
!PIZZA !ALIVE
@trucklife-family! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @wrestlingdesires. (3/10)
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
PIZZA Holders sent $PIZZA tips in this post's comments:
wrestlingdesires tipped samsmith1971 (x1)
wrestlingdesires tipped trucklife-family (x1)
@samsmith1971(5/20) tipped @wrestlingdesires (x2)
You can now send $PIZZA tips in Discord via tip.cc!
I am truly hopeful that the next generation will relax the holds of censorship. In the meantime, if we live by the sword, we die a slow painful stifling death by the sword. Your story, although very different, reminded me so much of the themes in the film Footloose. Sooner or later, the next gen will rise and stamp their own mark on society. I hope that your aspiring artist finds the time and space to consider his place in the world and the person he wants to become. We need him to take a stand... maybe on another day ;-) !PIZZA !LUV
He should do just that ❤️ He might not be quite ready, but maybe soon :) ...
!PIZZA !ALIVE
@samsmith1971! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @wrestlingdesires. (9/10)
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
!PIZZA