8.15.25: Scheduled Emotions

In 2092, emotions are scheduled. Joy on Wednesdays, sadness during approved grief hours, anger only with a permit. You wake up late and check your Emotional Band. It glows red. “Unauthorized melancholy detected,” it reads. You try to smile. Too late. The Sentiment Sync Unit knocks within minutes. “Have you tried gratitude journaling?” one asks. The other is already installing a neural blocker. “Next time, update your mood file.” You nod, numb. They leave. You stare at the wall. You weren’t even sad. Just tired. But that’s not an approved feeling anymore.