Smartystan

On a chic couch, Chanda and Go unraveled the two patches from a satchel. The patches glowed with electricity and showed the digital amount of heroin that was supposed to flow through their veins. They uncased each of the patches and applied them to the other’s arm. An electronic device showed their blood pressure, and other vitals along with the amount of heroin injected in their arms. Within seconds, The drug had coursed through their bodies and they lay limp, basking in the silence of it all.

The licit nature of the drug afforded them the possibility of enjoying it without overdosing. No federal agencies existed in Smartystan to block such usage or enforce against it with another agency. They lay there, the lights seemed warmer and the easiness washed over both of them. With eyes closed, they felt ready to be in bliss. Their heads went back and they wrapped their arms around each other. It was like immersing in a hot tub while also having packed away a few shots of vodka. Except, this was safer. By monitoring just how much they could ingest, they knew their limits and didn’t push to be addicts.

Like lovers caught up in each other during that moment when you first fall asleep, they remained semi-conscious. What kept them in the space of lowlights and cool temperatures brought them into ecstasy. With the legality of the drug, more information seeped through the culture talking about the benefits of heroin. More doctors wrote theses and articles in medical journals about the boost in spirit and mood that the drug could offer.

Some writhing occurred. Mainly, it was Chanda. Her eyes were closed but her body moved slowly, methodically. It was as if she were possessed by some foreign spirit which neither Go nor she affirmed belief. Then, she lay still. Go awakened. He couldn’t move, though. The sweet mellowness of the narcotic still visited his body. Chanda fell asleep. Go looked over to her and smiled faintly.

He knew that he had to adjust her monitor so that she didn’t overdose and that the substance could keep her high for as long as possible.

With all of his might, he lifted her up and sat her back against the chair. He figured he could keep her this way for a few hours. The drug would have worn off at that time. He checked his own intake. He decreased as much for himself as he had done for Chanda. With his salary, he could afford the most potent and safe drugs from his doctor or the local heroin shop on the corner of any street in Smartystan. He kept thinking about Dr. Strong and the break-in at his house. That whole ordeal spurred this little session. They had felt so depressed that they opted for the substance. Chanda looked like she was still breathing and her vital signs looked good, until her blood pressure decreased.

Go moved with lethargy and specificity somehow. He knew she had to take some electrolyte water. He fell off the couch. He crawled over to the refrigerator and opened it to retrieve the fluids. He crawled back to the couch, untwisted the cap and put the bottle up to Chanda’s mouth. Some of it dribbled out like a fountain spewing water from an angel's lips. Then, she finally started to sip from the bottle herself. The monitor showed she had regained normal pressure and could enjoy the rest of the evening.

Go sighed. This whole issue began to wear on his soul. He wanted to keep the time they shared under the influence a memorable one, even if they seemed to be in a fugue state. There appeared to be some inner pain that both of them dealt with despite the fact that the drug found its way through their bodies. What kept them together, of course, seemed to be their minds. They could be in the privacy of their own homes, do heroin, and still be functioning adults, not addicts. With the aid of technology, their bond only boosted in each of their eyes. This responsible approach to the fact that all substances had been made legal in the country-state of Smartystan meant everything to people, even those who didn’t use them. Abuses were extremely low because of the patches they wore. Long-term effects didn’t surface in many cases. Few accidents or crimes registered. The Founders, including and especially Go, said that if drugs are legal, people are going to use them. If they’re illegal, people are going to use them. He proposed that they institute a government where consenting, adult individuals would be given the opportunity to keep the idea that offenders under the influence who commit some sort of crime would have stiffer penalties than even what the United States enacted.

They lay there in rapture. Before the last few doses were injected into their bodies, they felt enough power to keep the heroin flowing. No bent spoons, no lighters and belts came into play during these sessions. The same went for cocaine and crack users among other drugs. The patch delivered whatever amount that the user chose and almost one hundred percent of the time, they all opted for a safe level. In fact, the patch would reject the use of the substance if it had too much of a dose.

It had been four hours and the drug began to diminish in their systems. Chanda moved closer to Go with her electrolyte solution and sipped it.

“That was good, no?” Chanda asked.

“Mine was great. I wanted to make sure you––”

“Don’t say it. I’m glad I’ve got it in my hand right now.”

“Alright. Just make sure you have safety on your side.”

“With you, I’m always safe.”

They kissed. They then gathered their materials and packed them away for storage until the next fix a few days, weeks, or months from now as the drug had an agent which prevented addiction. The couple tidied up well and headed upstairs into the morning light.