Author/editor stuff.
So, if contributors are up to it, I would like to track the story here, just because it makes it reasonably easy for everyone to edit each other's text and revert changes and so on.
If you need a user/password let me know.
I propose we write notes above and the text below.
--Vanquished
I'm planning to write Miriam' and Sues story. They're now postgraduate students and Sue is a feet dreams sufferer. They've been together at university for 4-5 years. Their first year, Sue already had the syndrome, and got her fixes from her relatives at home, but asking Miriam was quite a challenge.
--Vanquished
Feet dreams
"Welcome to another show of lemonade, the most refreshing programme on TV!" The female announcer's voice boomed, and her smile beamed for the cameras. "We got something unique, really inspirational, and a little... racy for you tonight!" The audience laughed. "I'm Alice Sheen, and I'm very happy to have you all with us again." Clapping. "Let's see if we don't scare you all away!" More laughter.
The programmes theme blared and four guests joined the stage together with Alice.
"So... Who of us has..." Alice tittered, and her guests couldn't help joining her, "stinky feet? Show of hands, come on."
A few hands rose in the audience, mixed in with laughter and some embarrassed coughs and blushes. To no-one's surprise, Alice's four guests hands were up, and they had smirks on their faces.
"Now, now. Don't be shy," Alice said. "I'm sure more of you have smelly feet. Put those hands where we can all see them, don't hold out on us!"
Alice let the audience talk to each other, and a few more brave hands went up, not without some accompanying red cheeks.
"Hmm, not bad," Alice said. "It looks like our audience is a little confused." She giggled, looking at the clumps of people whispering and arguing with each other. "Maybe we need a... tighter definition. What do you say?" she looked at her guests.
"Absolutely," a girl said, and all the others nodded.
"So, can you help us here?" Alice asked? "Will you be my foot smell panel tonight?"
Her guests laughed, completely unashamed. Each of them asked a question of their own to the audience.
"Do your feet smell so much you gag every time you take your shoes off?"
"Do your friends run away when they see you untie your laces?"
"Ever been forbidden to wear open shoes on family events?"
"Does the smell make little children cry?"
At every question, a few more hands went down, and the awkward gestures multiplied.
"Our audience is a little embarrassed," Alice said. "Well, tonight you'll find out why our guests aren't!" The audience clapped. "You may think having smelly feet... stinks," laughter, "but when life hands you lemons..."
"Make lemonade!" the audience roared.
"I don't get it," James said. His job as an intern was monitoring the sound level from the central apparatus room. "The idea for this show is bad things can lead to good things, right?"
"Sure," Eileen said, making sure he was still paying attention. She was a pretty laid back boss as long as the job got done. "What's so hard to get?"
"Shouldn't the guests be, like, the sufferers?"
Eileen laughed. "Right, let me tell you something about television, kid." She patted his head, making him blush. "The sufferers are the real heroes, right? They got a shitty deal and made the best out of it."
He nodded.
"Wrong!" she said, clapping her hands.
He almost jumped out of his seat. Good thing he didn't, as the sound level went close to the red and he had to lower the amp.
"Fact is," she went on, "those poor bastards are too pathetic for our audience to identify with. So we still get to tell the story, but we focus on what an awful fate it is to have smelly feet, and how our guests managed to rise above it. Got it?"
James shook his head. "I don't think it's that pathetic, honestly. It's not like they had a choice."
"You're something else, kid," Eileen said. "Just take my word for it, will you? Make sure the mix is right when we play the videos."
"So, beyond smelly feet, what else do you all have in common?" Alice asked.
"We're pretty?" the youngest of the guests said, drawing laughter from the audience. "No, I guess that's not what you're asking. Each of us takes care of someone. They're very special to us, and we're very special to them. In my case, it's my roommate at university."
"Right," Alice said. "Tell us your name, a bit about yourself, and the sort of care your roommate needs from you."
"Sure," the girl said. "So, I'm Miriam, I'm finishing a masters' in history, and my roommate has averse stimulus conditioned sleep syndrome, or ASCSS."
"What a mouthful. Is there a shorter name for it?"
"You may have heard of it as feet dreams syndrome."
Some gasps came from the audience, followed by a few snorts and giggles.
"So, let me get this right. What that means is, your roommate needs--and this is important--to smell someone's feet in order to fall asleep."
Miriam nodded. "She can't sleep otherwise. God knows she tried. Her doctor warned her, but once she went two weeks without, hoping she would prove her wrong. By the end, she was falling apart."
"So, this is not a joke. This is a real disease, with serious consequences."
"Oh, definitely. I mean, sure it can be funny, and in my place you have to learn to laugh at it, right?" Miriam waited for Alice to agree. "Still, sleep deprivation can be awful, and the social implications--"
"We went to Miriam's hall of residence to record how she and her roommate manage to cope. This is their story."
Miriam
The camera went into the institutional building, showing short takes of dirty, messy rooms, until it panned into a neat one, with not a thing out of place.
"Wow," Alice said, walking into the view. "What a difference."
Miriam joined her, tugging a shorter, thin girl by the hand behind her.
"Yeah," Miriam said. "She does a great job." She placed her arm on the other girl's shoulders. "Come on, don't be shy, sweetie." She patted her head. "Look up and tell us your name," she cooed.
With a sigh, the girl raised her head. Her cheeks were red, and she very much looked like she didn't want to be there.
"I'm Sue," she whispered.
"Speak up, sweetie," Miriam said.
"Shy, is she?" Alice asked.
"It's a little awkward for her, but she has to learn to deal with it; right, pet?"
"I'm Sue." This time her voice was louder, but still trembled. "I'm Miriam's roommate and I... I--"
"You smell my feet every night," Miriam said, letting out a giggle.
Sue blushed deeper, took a deep breath, and closed the door behind her.
"You say she does a great job," Alice said. "What do you mean by that?"
"Let's get comfortable." Miriam pulled out a chair for Alice, sat on the bed, snapped her fingers, and pointed at the floor.
After a bit of hesitation, Sue sprawled at Miriam's feet, looking towards Alice, and Miriam rested her hands on Sue's head, stroking her hair.
"How this works is, Sue gets what she needs, every night." Miriam tapped the floor with her shoes. "That means I always have to be available. No exceptions. She's of course very grateful, aren't you, sweetie?"
"Yes, Miss," Sue said.
"In exchange, she does a few small things for me: keeping the place clean and tidy, and a few other special tasks."
"So, she does all the chores?" Alice asked.
"I think we must have the best kept room on campus." Miriam patted Sue's head. "She's become an excellent maid, and she's fast at it, too. I try not to make too much work for her, though if I'm honest, I often drop my clothes everywhere, and she has to pick up after me."
"And you don't mind?" Alice looked down at Sue.
"Um, it's.... not too bad."
"Of course she doesn't," Miriam said. "I'm her care provider, so I'm responsible for her welfare, but that doesn't work if I can't keep her in line, right?" Miriam forced Sue's head to nod. "Imagine if I couldn't set her a fixed bedtime. Remember, she's completely dependent on my feet, so this is a matter of balance. It's only fair."
"Can you tell us how it all started?" Alice asked Sue.
"Um, so... about five years ago, I left home for the first time--"
After a long trip, and a tiring day settling in, it was time for Sue's family to go. She was excited to be at university at last, but she also couldn't help some apprehension, considering her unusual health condition.
"Go on, Mum," Julia said. "I'll be down in a minute. I just want to say good-bye properly."
"Alright, but don't dawdle. It's a long way back." Karen, Sue's mother, gave her daughter a kiss and left, carrying a garbage bag to dispose of.
"So, how does it feel?" Julia asked. "I'm still not used to the thought of you going away."
"I'm a little scared, but I'm looking forward to it, I guess," Sue said. "Won't take you long to do the same."
"You know what?" Julia approached Sue and hugged her. "I'll miss you."
"Wow... Thank you for that." Sue's eyes turned misty, and she rested her chin on Julia's shoulder, embracing her tightly.
"And it won't just be for your amazing foot rubs." Julia giggled, making Sue blush. "So, since I'm your favourite sister..." Julia smirked. "I want a special little kiss to remember you by."
Sue's blush deepened and she looked all around, making sure they were alone and the door was closed.
"Julia!" She hissed. "You promised!"
"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone." Julia tapped her sandal on the tiled floor, drawing Sue's eyes down. "I'm sticking to it, but I want a kiss before I go."
After a big breath, Sue raised her eyes and try to hold Julia's gaze.
"What if I refuse?"
"Well," Julia picked up a big plastic bag and rattled it. "I guess I'll take these treats with me, and you can ask your roommate for replacements." She laughed as Sue groaned. "Come on, just a little kiss? For the best sister anyone could ever want?" She pouted.
With a sigh, Sue went on her knees and bent forward, bringing her face close to Julia's feet. Her polish was perfect, and it had been Sue's job to keep it that way. She lowered herself further, mortified by her little sister's giggles, and pressed her lips on her fragrant bare toes.
"Good girl," Julia said. "Now kiss!"
Sue gave her sister's toes a deep, long kiss; not because she wanted to--demeaning herself like that repulsed her--but because she knew that anything less would not be enough. At least she could save herself the trouble of having to repeat the act.
"Just like that," Julia said. "I got you well-trained, don't I?"
"Yes, Julia." Sue remained on her knees, waiting for permission to move.
"Alright. Take care, Sis." Julia kissed the top of Sue's head, helped her up, gave her one last hug, handed her the plastic bag, and left.
"So, she didn't tell you right from the start?" Alice asked.
"Oh, definitely not!" Miriam laughed. "If you think she's shy now, you should have seen her face when I caught her." Miriam couldn't stop giggling. "She went so red, didn't you, sweetie? I'd no idea people could blush like that." She run her fingers through Sue's hair.
"Please, Miss," Sue said, almost whimpering. Her cheeks were crimson as she turned her head to give Miriam a pleading look that she ignored.
"That must have been funny," Alice said.
"Not for me," Sue muttered.
Alice dismissed Sue, keeping her eyes on Miriam.
"Funniest thing ever." Miriam managed to stop giggling. "Still, she's almost as bad now. Every time we let someone else in on it, she gets so embarrassed. I'm hoping this programme will help her get over that."
"How long did it take you to work it out?"
At first, everything went fine. Miriam and Sue got along, and even shared some interests in common. Sue was a little quieter, and more likely to go to the library, while Miriam enjoyed sports and the outdoors, but they were well on their way to become friends.
Every night, Sue took out one of her little sister's precious socks, and buried herself completely under the covers with it pressed against her nose.
So long as her limited supply lasted, she should have no problem. If she was careful and pulled an all-nighter every few days, she'd make it until mid-term break. Her sister should be ready with plenty more by then, though she might have to beg to get them. Whatever it took to keep her situation quiet.
Coming back from the library, Sue took a quick glance at her dirty sock stash just to reassure herself. It was gone. She flushed, feeling out of air, and her hands began to sweat. Had Miriam found out?
She closed her eyes, took a few long, deep breaths to settle down, and sat at her desk, trying to focus on her class work.
With a start, she heard the door open. Her mouth went dry.
"Hi!" Miriam came in with a smile on her face and two baskets. "What's up?"
"Um, doing some coursework." Sue gulped. "Nothing too exciting, and you?"
"I just came from the laundry." Miriam placed one basket by her bed and approached Sue's desk with the other. "I'd nothing better to do, and I noticed you had some yourself, so... here it is!"
With a smile, Miriam uncovered the basket, showing Sue a perfectly arranged, huge bundle of immaculately clean socks.
"You shouldn't let it build up so much!" Miriam chided.
Making use of all her self-control, Sue managed to smile and thank her roommate. She took the basket and started laying the socks in one of her drawers, wanting to cry and tear her hair out in frustration. What was she going to do now?
It was Sue's seventh night without sleep.
She had tried everything she could think of. After all, perhaps there was an alternative. However, nothing worked, and she was sick of lying on her bed, tossing from side to side, with her eyes wide open.
She even tried her own dirty socks, though she was sure it was a waste of time. It wasn't her first experiment to find a way around her problem, but all she got for it was another sleepless night filled with the disgusting constant stink of her own feet.
At least her sister wasn't there to rub it in. Sue had done the same back home once, when she still had hope, only for Julia to find out and end up in stitches. Sue's predicament had amused her, though her obvious, if futile, stab at independence had annoyed her. As a punishment, Julia had made Sue grovel for her reeking gym sock. She had tauntingly dangled it over her nose, only to take it away, making her spend two more nights awake, and firmly teaching her a lesson. Sue had never tried anything like that again. Until now.
She checked her watch and got up quietly. There was only one option. Her roommate seemed to be asleep, and she had socks, too. She felt really uncomfortable about taking them, but there was no other way. She walked barefoot, on tiptoe, and was about to lean down to check Miriam's dirty clothes basket.
"Go to sleep," Miriam said. "For fuck's sake, Sue. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I... I can't. I'm sorry."
"Bullshit! You've been awake for days. Are you taking drugs?"
"No, it's not--"
"Because if it's drugs, I'm not judging, but you need to get it under control."
Sue burst into tears. She couldn't go on like this. She had been about to steal. Fighting to keep this secret wasn't worth becoming someone she didn't want to be. Miriam was kind, and maybe she could help. Maybe she would even understand.
She got her health certificate, signed by a university's doctor and the rector, and showed it to Miriam.
"What's this, ASCSS?" Miriam asked.
"It explains it all in there, but I can't sleep without..." Sue blushed. "This is going to sound stupid."
"Come on, you can tell me." Miriam got up and stroked Sue's hair. "I know it's serious."
"I can't sleep without smelling feet." Sue shivered. "It has to be quite noticeable and pungent, though in my case socks also work."
Miriam giggled, but then went quiet. She sat on her bed, and closely read the certificate.
"Ok, this checks out." Miriam sighed. "It's so hard to believe."
"I had a pile of dirty socks ready." Sue sat by Miriam. "I'm sorry, but I wanted to keep this to myself."
"No, I understand. So what happened?"
"Um, you remember when you did all that wash?"
"Oh, shit." Miriam palmed her face. "So what now, you have to wait until you wear a few?"
"Uh, no. It says there. My own don't work. Those belonged to my little sister, Julia."
Miriam gasped. "My god, you were... you were going to..."
"I'm sorry, I just..." Sue sniffled. "I can't stand it anymore, I need to sleep!"
"Sue?"
"I know. I shouldn't have."
"It's not that. We'll leave talking about respecting people's property for another time." Miriam dithered. "Thing is, I'm afraid I don't have any. All my socks are washed."
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Sue started crying again.
"Hush." Miriam hugged her and rocked her. "Hush, now. We'll work something out. Will my, uh, my feet do? I have to warn you though, I went running yesterday and they're a bit, um--"
"You mean it? You'd let me smell your feet?"
Miriam couldn't help laughing when Sue put it like that, and Sue blushed.
"How about you get in bed with me. We'll sleep head to toe." Miriam chuckled. "Your head to my toe, that is."
Sue embraced Miriam and smiled.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don't know how much this means... I promise I'll make it up to you."
Sue laid her pillow at the foot of the bed and got in, quickly nuzzling Miriam's feet. They felt damp and sticky against her face and had a powerful, cheesy smell. She hated it, but she was used to that sort of torment, and at least it would be strong enough to work. A few breaths, and she began to yawn. She was asleep before she knew it, and almost didn't notice Miriam giggling and using her toes to play with Sue's nose.