Docile

2020 | Fiction & Poetry | Science Fiction/Fantasy

(Warning!! There are graphic sex scenes in this novel.)

Docile is an interesting take on a futuristic situation. In this novel, based in reality, debt is passed onto family members, so family debt can climb easily. An unpaid amount of debt can lead to debtors' prison. However, as an alternative, in order to alleviate the problem, there is a debt relief program that allows a debtor (called a Docile) to sell their debt to a rich person in exchange for working for that person in whatever capacity for the length of the agreed upon contract. For some, the work ends up being hard manual labor or more regular situations. However, for some, a debtor can end up being basically a slave to their patron. That being said, some patrons include sleeping with the debtor as part of their contract, among any other requested tasks.

A company has developed a drug that the Docile is able to take to basically numb any awareness of the things going on around them and to them. They are able to function, but their minds are numb, and they have no memories or personal desires. They just wait for orders to be given so that they can complete them with smiles on their faces.

Elisha enters into a life-long contract with trillionaire, Alex Bishop. Elisha declines the Dociline, as is his right, and Alex needs to learn how to interact and control him as a Docile with no medication to assist. It opens a new experience for both of them, and they must learn to live as Patron and Docile among those that have full control over their Dociles, already. Alex is constantly being monitored by his family and the media, so anything that happens tends to be seen or heard about right away. The lack of Dociline in the equation creates many challenges that neither may be prepared for.

K. M. Szpara (Author)