Gray's 100-word story for July 18, 2025

Gray wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on July 18, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

DarkStone financed the study, which led to the DSM-6 entry. The diagnosis justified (jubilant) government-subsidized development of the technology -- always a long game. CDD, 'Chronic Dissatisfaction Disorder' was declared a public mental health crisis in America. One in two people aged six to mandatory end-of-life (eighty), were diagnosed and prescribed treatment: Levelhead, the rice grain-sized brain implant, promised to smooth out emotions, enabling everyone to achieve hard work and inevitable success. Even the ad was efficient: sky blue background, balloon letters: HUSH. Behind closed doors, DarkStone executives sold it to CEOs and education directors as an employment and educational requirement.

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