Positivity means Peace.

At least, that’s what all the billboards and signs with smiling politicians preached. Everywhere you looked, people went about their day with a smile. A smile backed by dread. Though anger had been the only emotion to officially be forbidden by law, anything short of a smile could get you falsely accused and nabbed by the authorities. Proving that you weren’t displaying anger was impossible. At best, you would face jail time and a debilitating fine. At worst? Rehabilitation.

Those unable to smile wore masks with smiles painted on them. Anything to help keep up the guise of positivity. Anything to keep from being accused of anger. Everywhere, all the time, even in the so called ‘privacy’ of your own home… no one was permitted to feel or express anger.

Being angry was unhealthy, unproductive. It was the cause of war, fights, and all of the negativity in the world. The world was a better, more peaceful, place without anger. At least, that was the propaganda they spewed. Those who were found guilty of showing anger were often carted away. They would not be seen or heard from in months. Then they would suddenly return, different from before; a hollow shell of who they once were with a permanent yet empty smile.

Many people used medication specifically designed to suppress anger. This medication often made a person numb to most things, as if they could no longer feel at all: physically or emotionally. Others struggled through the best that they could, almost always seeming on the edge of a breakdown. Some people… some people had a secret way of managing their anger to keep from feeling it where they might be caught.

With her hood over her head, Val quietly turned down a tight ally way. Most would never notice this place, hidden in plane sight. Most people avoided dark alleys. Halfway down, the young woman leaned against the grimy wall and gave three quick taps against one of the bricks. After a pause, a quiet voice whispered.

“I am in control of myself…”

Val whispered back, “As long as I keep my cool” The young woman heard a click and stepped backwards, through the wall: a hologram that hid the entryway into one of the city’s last speakeasies. As alcohol was often attributed with anger issues, it had become illegal too.

Val lowered her hood as she followed the stairs down. The door guard closed the door behind, standing ready should any more desperate souls stagger their way here. Val had become something of a regular. It hadn’t been easy learning about this place let alone all of the secrets it held within.

This place was a shelter, a haven! Electrical signals were blocked within these walls, no transmissions in or out. It kept the world government from detecting any shifts of emotion that might happen in a place like this. It kept everyone within safe from surveillance. Beyond serving alcohol and actual privacy from the law, Lilith’s Speakeasy offered one more service: a way to release one’s pent up angers and frustrations safely and undetected.

Val sat at the bar and waved Lilith over. She smiled at the barkeep, taking in her fluorescent blue hair and sparkling piercings. She had an otherworldly beauty about her, one that Val sometimes envied. Most legal jobs required dull hair colors and a sever lack of personal expression. The world government wanted its citizens to practically be cookie cutter machines made for labor. Individuality was also frowned upon: it could make people ‘angry’ and cause unwanted negativity. It was all a load of bullshit, of course. More propaganda to aid in their control of the populace.

“Hey Val.” Lilith purred as she placed a shot glass down in front of her and poured a dark liquid within it.

“Thanks Lil.” Val said as she swung back the shot. Spiced rum. Her usual.

“I’d also like a Maple And Dragonfruit tonight. Extra spicy.” Val spoke the codewords that she had learned. Even in a place as seemingly safe as this, some things were better left unspoken.

“Sounds like you need a break.” Lilith said with a wry grin. Val slid her hand into her pocket then placed it on the bar. Lilith put her hand on top of Val’s and gave it a squeeze. When Val slid her hand away, a wad of cash had been left it’s its place. A ‘break’ wasn’t free, after all.

“Ten minutes.” Lilith said as she slid her own hand back and placed the cash into her pocket. Val raised a brow.

“That should be twenty, minimum.”

“Prices went up.” Lilith shrugged before she glanced towards another woman seated at the bar. They made eye contact and Lilith nodded. The woman stood and looked to Val who followed with a shake of her head.

The woman led Val to a room in the back and opened a door. Val stepped in and the door was quickly shut behind her. The room was decorated with posters of politicians in the world government. The walls were padded and well insulated; no sound would escape them. A table with various old chine, glasses, and bottles sat in the center of the room. Val looked around before she moved to one of the tables. Her fingers longingly brushed the neck of an empty wine bottle. They lingered for a moment before she clutched the bottle in hand and tossed it with a scream towards one of the posters. It struck true and shattered. Piece by piece, all of the glassware was hurled towards the walls. All of Val’s anger was channeled into the shattered glassware.

Once her time was up, the door opened and Val was escorted from the room. She smiled a real smile towards Lilith at the bar.

“Thanks for one last go.” Val said with a satisfied sigh before she flashed a badge from her coat.

The front door burst open. Authorities swarmed the establishment.