Dystopian Love and Taboo: A Tale of Forbidden Affection
Imagine a world where the simplest expression of affection is a capital offense. In this stark dystopian society, intimacy is not only discouraged but criminalized, leading to a culture where people actively repel one another to avoid suspicion. In such a world, the act of kissing is considered a crime punishable by death, and social norms have shifted to ensure that no one is tempted by romantic attraction.
To maintain this distance, citizens avoid basic dental hygiene and consume garlic to deter any potential intimate interest. Even the economy has been transformed into a physical manifestation of aggression; payments are made by accepting slaps on the face, with the number of strikes proportional to the price of the goods or services rendered.
The Encounter at the Department Store
The story centers on Malaise, a young woman newly employed at an upscale department store. Her arrival disrupts the existing social dynamic between the store's manager, Pétulante, and a wealthy housewife named Angine. While Pétulante has long been Angine's primary sales associate, Angine quickly becomes intrigued by Malaise.
Over the course of nine days, a clandestine bond forms between Malaise and Angine. Malaise encourages Angine to make larger purchases, while Angine finds herself increasingly attracted to the young woman, even finding pleasure in the slaps used for payment.
Defying the Law of Repulsion
Driven by her feelings for Angine, Malaise takes a dangerous risk. She accesses the black market—an illegal trade network—to purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste. In this society, oral hygiene is a taboo activity because it removes the natural deterrents against intimacy.
However, this act of rebellion does not go unnoticed. While using these forbidden items in the bathroom, Malaise is overheard by the jealous Pétulante, who recognizes the sound of brushing as a highly suspicious and illegal activity.
The Price of Forbidden Desire
The brutality of the regime is highlighted when a woman is arrested within the department store for attempting to kiss her unwilling husband. The punishment is swift and horrific: she is bound, gagged, and thrown off a cliff in a cardboard box. This grim reality is close to home for Angine, whose husband is actually a designer for these execution boxes.
Despite the danger, Angine discovers artwork depicting kissing in the arrested woman's purse, which pushes her to embrace her own feelings. Determined to connect with Malaise, Angine brushes her teeth and drinks mint liqueur to prepare herself for a private encounter.
A Tragic Conclusion
Upon arriving at the store, Angine discovers a cruel betrayal. Pétulante has falsely accused Malaise of attacking her and attempting to kiss her, presenting the black-market toothbrush and toothpaste to the police as evidence. Devastated, Angine visits the ravine where the executed are cast and finds the body of Malaise.
A final revelation reveals a heartbreaking missed connection. Days earlier, during a solitary birthday celebration, Malaise had wished for Angine to join her. Angine had actually traveled to Malaise's apartment and knocked on the door, but she lost her courage and hid, forfeiting the only chance they had to be together safely.
Key Facts
- Capital Crime: Kissing is a crime punishable by death.
- Social Deterrents: Citizens avoid brushing teeth and eat garlic to prevent attraction.
- Currency: Payments are made via slaps to the face.
- Execution Method: Convicts are bound, gagged, and thrown off a cliff in cardboard boxes.
- The Catalyst: The discovery of forbidden artwork and the use of black-market dental hygiene products.
Summary of Societal Norms
| Category | Dystopian Practice | Purpose/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Hygiene | Avoiding tooth brushing | Deterring intimate interest |
| Diet | Consuming garlic | Preventing romantic attraction |
| Commerce | Accepting slaps on the face | Equivalent payment for goods |
| Affection | Criminalized kissing | Death penalty via cliff drop |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the punishment for kissing in this society?
Kissing is considered a crime punishable by death. The condemned are bound, gagged, and thrown off a cliff inside a cardboard box.
How does the payment system work?
Instead of money, payment is made through physical slaps on the face, with the number of slaps corresponding to the price of the item or service.
Why is brushing teeth considered a taboo activity?
Brushing teeth is seen as a way to remove the natural odors (like garlic) that deter people from wanting to be intimate, making it a suspicious act that suggests a desire for forbidden affection.
Who betrayed Malaise?
Pétulante, the department store manager, betrayed Malaise by falsely claiming Malaise tried to kiss her and by turning over Malaise's black-market dental supplies to the police.
What was the significance of the final flashback?
The flashback reveals that Angine had actually visited Malaise on her birthday, but her lack of courage prevented her from entering, marking the lost opportunity for the two women to connect before Malaise's execution.