Practically Relaxed | EP0001

The first draft was due the next day, but Zee’s screen was blank. He sighed as he leaned back in his office chair and stared at the ceiling. Had he had too much coffee? Or not enough? He felt the urge to reach for his phone, but stopped himself. Maybe later, as a little treat. For now he just had to sit with his thoughts until he had…something. Anything.

Suddenly he heard a voice behind him, “Think about nature.”

Zee nearly fell out of his chair. On the floor stood a bizarre, 2-foot-tall figure. It looked like a misshapen salamander with a bulbous, pink head, skinny blue arms and legs, and a stumpy, wet tail.

“Umm…what?” Zee said.

“For your design project,” the creature said. “Nature doesn’t have straight lines. It’s all curves. That could be a fun lens to bring to the project.”

Zee stared at the creature as his shock slowly dissipated, replaced by an uneasy recognition. “You're not my…” Zee started. “Muse?” the creature interrupted, “Obviously I am.”

Zee pondered this. “I thought you’d be…” “Beautiful?” the creature said. “Common misconception. Why would I be? Think about the way your creativity works.”

Zee considered this. His ideas had always arrived imperfect. They started awkwardly and became more refined over time. The process used to scare him, but he’s learned to roll with it. His first draft will be flawed, if not outright ugly, but he’ll figure it out from there. He always does. He looked his muse in the eyes.

“I guess I should thank…”

Suddenly its face contorted and let out an enormous, wet sneeze. Zee instinctively winced. When he opened his eyes it was gone. He blinked a few times and turned his chair back around. His screen was no longer blank.