He knew he should wait, but the line for the neurotransmitter simulator request module was far too long for his liking. No one would notice if he tweaked his neurolink a bit. Just a tiny change really. He was’t going for something as explosive as anger or as noticeable as joy. No. All he wanted was to feel content. Just a little bit of happiness, of peace. He wasn’t addicted. Addicted would mean he sought neurotransmitter simulations and emotions constantly. It would mean he would hack into his neurolink regularly to order hormones and other biological components to be released outside of his allotted and ordered emotional wellness program. But he only sought that contented feeling once or thrice a day, and really he wasn’t the one hacking into his neurolink- N25X32 hacked it first. And sense she never unhacked his neurolink, it wasn’t really hacking if he regularly adjusted his biological levels.

There was a learning curve at first. He released too much dopamine once and ended up crashing hard from withdrawals and suffered from horrific mood swings. Sometimes he messed up the adrenaline secretion causing his heart to beat just a little too fast. But after several months of experimenting, he finally found the perfect mixture that mimicked the fuzzy feeling of contentment he got every 3rd and 21st sun cycle. Now, he was able to enjoy the fuzzy feeling every day. Grant it, he started to feel… different. Even when he hadn’t messed with the programming on his neurolink, there was a pervasive feeling of emptiness. It felt as if something was supposed to be there but wasn’t. For the first time in his 20 planet cycle, N25X18 felt like something was missing.

The robotic voice of the attendant called for the next person in line. N25X18 was at least 20 people back, so as long as he kept his session short, the little dose of dopamine shouldn’t be noticed . He reached for the back of his neck and acted like he was fiddling with the collar of his jumpsuit. After a moment, a warm cozy feeling flooded his system.

It was a shame really- the fact he couldn’t feel this way all the time. If it was up to him, no one would have to suffer through the negative emotional wellness cycles and could spend their days basking in this luxurious feeling.

The attendant called for the next person in line.