[ WP ] In a society where happiness is a construct that can be donated to others , you meet someone who has given away all of theirs .

`` Only a few grams left, it's going to be hard to make this last.'' he thought to himself. The thing about happiness? When it rains it pours, but the inverse is also true. Jeremiah had fallen on hard times before but this was different. Jeremiah had spent the weekend with friends, a new season of his favorite Crime Drama started tonight, and he had a bowl of his mother's famous `` Asian-y stir fry'' with a glass of chocolate milk. A year ago this would have given him enough happiness to last a month. Now? Just a few grams. The phone rang. 
 
 *Drew calling* 
 
 `` Hello?'' 
 
 `` Hey, Jerry, it's Drew.'' 
 
 `` I know, caller ID is a thing.'' Jeremiah said with a playfully condescending tone. 
 
 `` That's just what I say when someone picks up the phone.'' 
 
 `` Okay well, you do n't need to.'' 
 
 `` Whatever man. Look I have to work a double tomorrow, could you spare some happiness?'' 
 
 `` I ca n't, I'm actually kind of low right now.'' 
 
 `` Oh really?'' Drew's tone shifted, `` What's going on? I thought you were doing really well.'' 
 
 `` I am I just-I do n't want to get into it,'' Jeremiah replied, `` I would n't be able to explain it.'' 
 
 `` Are you sure? You'll probably have a bit more if you talk about it'' 
 
 Jeremiah had heard of this rumor, that talking to other people about your sadness made you feel better. Despite his best efforts, Jeremiah had connected emotionally with other human beings in the past, and although it only made him feel awkward before, he thought he might give it another try. 
 
 `` Um, okay. I do n't really know where to start. I think something's wrong with me.'' Jeremiah began, embarrassed that he had problems like everyone else on the planet, `` I just ca n't make any happiness. Food does n't taste good, I'm not really getting any pleasure from work, when I go out with friends I just pretend to have fun.'' 
 
 `` Sounds like depression.'' Drew said quickly, `` Like, that sounds like a textbook definition of depression.'' 
 
 `` I do n't think I'm actually depressed. I'm fine, just in a funk.'' 
 
 `` Okay. Do me a favor and see a doctor anyway, okay buddy?'' 
 
 `` Sure. I'll see yuh later Drew.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, take care.'' 
 
 *Click* 
 
 Jeremiah was *not* depressed. Everyone and their dog was depressed, and Jeremiah was not going to be another sad sack. All his life he'd been able to properly budget his happiness. He always made a relatively low amount, but he never seemed to need that much. Jeremiah was a picture of contentedness, his happiness never rising too far past necessity, and certainly never dropping below it. Jeremiah also did not ever accept happiness from others, and kept his own happiness to himself. Independence was important to him, and if he would n't use anyone else's happiness, there was n't any of his own to spare. This strategy had been sustainable for the first quarter of his life which made it all the stranger that he suddenly found himself, in all unfortunate honesty, depressed. 
 
 Jeremiah reluctantly visited the doctor's office the next day. The doctor was a thin old man with kind eyes and a warm smile. Jeremiah made a little happiness just introducing himself and shaking the doctor's hand. After sharing his dilemma with the doctor, the thin old man stood up from his desk, walked to the other side of the room to the wall safe, and began to enter the combination. The safe swung open and the doctor removed a generous amount of happiness. 
 
 `` Why do n't you take mine?'' said the doctor, handing Jeremiah the happiness. 
 
 `` But that's all the happiness you've got,'' Jeremiah said, starring at the empty safe behind the doctor, `` there wo n't be any left for you.'' 
 
 `` Do n't worry, I'll still have plenty.'' 
 
 `` But, you'll have given so much away.'' 
 
 `` Precisely.'' 
 

