Chapter 42 - The Colleague Who Wouldn’t Read

Sharing my confessional story felt like exposing my soul to the world—a risky but necessary endeavour. I handed copies to colleagues, some of whom I trusted, others I simply wanted to see the person behind the pages. Most responded warmly, offering kind words or thoughtful critiques. But there was one who stood out, not for what he said, but for what he didn’t.

I’ll call him Greg. Greg was younger and louder, always acting like he ran the place despite a decade less experience. If I suggested blue, he’d shout red from the rooftops. If I worked late, he’d show up early, making sure everyone noticed.

When I handed him a copy of my book, his reaction was immediate and dismissive. He gave the cover a cursory glance and said, “You didn’t mention me in here, did you?”

I was caught off guard. “No, Greg, it’s not about you. It’s about my life and the things I’ve been through.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’ll give it a read when you decide to write something more… inclusive,” he said with a smirk, tossing the book onto his desk like it was a piece of junk mail.

I laughed it off at the time, but his words stung. I hadn’t written the book to win approval or stroke egos. It was my truth—a piece of me I’d put out into the world, hoping to connect with others, maybe even inspire them. But Greg? Greg saw it as a slight, as if my failure to include him somehow diminished its value.

At first, his reaction made me angry. How dare he trivialise something so personal? But as the days passed, I found myself reflecting on why it had bothered me so much. The truth was, Greg’s response was a mirror—a reflection of his own insecurities. He didn’t dislike the book because of its content; he disliked it because it didn’t centre him.

And perhaps, in a twisted way, that made me pity him. To live with such a need for validation, to measure one’s worth through the lens of others’ acknowledgment—it must have been exhausting.

I stopped trying to get him to read the book. In fact, I stopped caring what Greg thought altogether. I realised then that sharing my story wasn’t about controlling how others perceived me; it was about finding peace with myself.

I can still remember the phase where I was chasing Russell, the elusive figure who seemed to be the key to unlocking everything. At work, though, it was a different story. Everyone seemed to take endless pleasure in teasing me about it, and I couldn’t escape the jokes. It was like a constant background noise to my mission—always there, always reminding me that they didn’t believe I could pull it off.

The one person who took it the furthest was Greg. He was adamant that I would fail. He was that guy who always had the attitude of "I told you so" before the story even unfolded. Every time I mentioned my pursuit of Russell, he’d shoot me down with his classic smirk, saying, “It’ll never happen.” And then, of course, he’d throw in a bet—always over a fry-up.

It started as a joke. Greg would challenge me, betting me that I wouldn’t succeed in tracking Russell down, in making any headway in my plan. The stakes? A fry-up from the local café. Easy enough, I thought, no problem. So, I took the bets. After all, I was determined to prove him wrong.

But Greg wasn’t as naïve as he appeared. He knew my odds. And sure enough, as the days turned into weeks, I found myself buying him fry-ups again and again. Each time I failed, another plate of eggs, sausages, and bacon would be set in front of him, with a triumphant look on his face. The constant mockery, combined with my own failure, made it feel like I was chasing a mirage.

Still, I didn’t give up. Even as I handed over fry-up after fry-up, I kept chasing Russell. It didn’t matter how many times I lost, how many breakfasts I had to buy. Somewhere, deep down, I knew I had to keep pushing forward, even if the world around me doubted I could make it.

Greg, of course, never let up. Each fry-up came with a smirk that matched the one he gave when he tossed my book aside. But I stopped seeing it as a victory for him. It was just the same old mask—one I no longer needed to acknowledge. But the more he doubted, the more I felt like I was getting closer. Maybe it wasn’t Russell I was chasing anymore. Maybe it was the belief in myself, the drive to prove that even when the world wasn’t on my side, I could keep going.

Looking back now, I realize that those moments—those countless fry-ups—were more than just an annoying challenge. They were a reminder of the persistence I had, the resilience that kept me going. Sure, I might have lost a lot of bets, but in the end, I gained something far more valuable: the understanding that failure wasn’t the end—it was part of the process. And sometimes, the best victories come not when you win the bet, but when you keep going, despite all the odds stacked against you.

In the end, Greg might have been right about some things, but I knew, deep down, that the real victory wasn’t in proving him wrong—it was in proving to myself that I could keep going, no matter how many fry-ups it took.

I may have lost count of the fry-ups, but I gained something Greg never saw coming—a taste for persistence. He thought he was collecting fry-ups. I was collecting proof that I’d outgrow him.


 

Dave Monk

  • Nationality: Welsh
  • Ethnicity: Caucasian
  • Eye Colour: Blue
  • Hair Colour: Brown
  • Tattoos: None
  • Star Sign: Aries
  • Bra Cup Size: n/a
  • Date of Birth: 46 ( 05 th Apr 1979 )
  • Weight: 60 kg

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Blogs

Chapter 83 - A Letter to You

Dear Reader,

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I never imagined my story would find its way into your hands, much less that you’d take the time to read it. Writing this book has been one of the hardest and most cathartic things I’ve ever done. Reliving some of the moments I’d rather forget, capturing the ones I cherish, and stitching them together into a cohesive narrative felt like trying to explain chaos. And yet, here we are—at the end. Or maybe, the beginning.

The truth is, I never set out to inspire anyone. Most days, I’m still trying to inspire myself. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through the relentless, messy chaos of life, it’s this: you are always capable of more than you think.

Chapter 82 - Blogger

I kept a blog that became a reflection of my mind—chaotic, fragmented, yet brutally honest. It wasn’t just a collection of thoughts; it was a lifeline, a desperate attempt to make sense of a world that felt like it was crumbling around me. Writing was the only way I knew to process the noise in my head. Page after page, I poured out my fears, my suspicions, my heartbreak.

But the hardest part? It wasn’t writing those words; it was looking back at them later.

The blog grew with an intensity that mirrored my psychosis. Every entry was a snapshot of my spiralling thoughts, each one more fragmented than the last. I wrote about the people in the office next door, convinced they were part of some grand conspiracy. I dissected every lyric from the songs I heard, convinced they were messages meant for me. And I wrote about my belief that the world was watching me, that I was somehow the centre of this dark, twisted performance.

Chapter 81 - No Coincidences

There I was, eagerly settling into my seat, popcorn in hand, ready to dive into the latest chapter of the Alien saga: Alien Romulus. The opening scene rolled in, that iconic style I’d come to love, with its vast, silent expanse of space. The screen shifted to display the ship's location in the universe, and there it was—Zeta Reticuli.

It hit me like a lightning bolt of déjà vu. My mind raced back to the original Alien film, where they also referenced Zeta Reticuli. This wasn’t just clever continuity by the filmmakers—it felt like the universe itself nudging me. Of course, Zeta Reticuli isn’t just a location in a movie; it’s steeped in mystery and lore, tied to the alien narratives that have fascinated me my entire life.

Chapter 80 - The Promise of a Robot Arm

Through my Holodex adventures, I’ve met some truly extraordinary people. Among them, Heather Vahn stands out as one of the rarest people I’ve ever met. Over the years, she’s been a constant presence, steadfast and unwavering, even in the moments when it felt like the rest of the world had turned its back on me.

Heather is a force of nature—wildly successful, radiating confidence and financial ease. She knows I’m broke—and she doesn’t flinch. Instead, she takes me out to dinner. Not just dinner, but lavish meals in restaurants where a single dish costs more than I’d usually spend in a week.

The last time we went out, the bill came to a staggering £200—practically my monthly budget in one sitting. It was a humbling experience. Part of me wanted to argue, to fight for my pride, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She waved away my protests, reminding me that her success meant nothing if she couldn’t share it with the people she cared about.

Chapter 79 - A Clash of Beliefs

Visiting my friend Noah in the hospital was supposed to be a comforting gesture, but it quickly spiralled into something I wasn’t prepared for. Noah, a devout Muslim, had been admitted for a serious medical condition, and when I arrived, I was stunned by what I saw.

The hallway outside his room was packed with people—family, friends, and members of his mosque—all waiting to offer their support. The gestures of solidarity and love were profound. Many of them had even offered Noah one of their kidneys if it came to that. Their faith and selflessness were awe-inspiring, and it reminded me of what it meant to have a real community backing you.

It was in that moment of admiration and gratitude that I decided to open up about my own faith.

With all the goodwill in the room, I thought maybe this was the right time to share my perspective. Surely, they would be open-minded, right?

Wrong.

Chapter 78 - These Days, Life is Good

These days, I find myself in a place I never thought I’d reach—not just physically, but emotionally. After the chaos and hardships that defined much of my journey, life has finally offered me a reprieve. Thanks to a disability payment I receive each month, I can live comfortably in the heart of London—a privilege I never take for granted. Without it, I’d be staring down bankruptcy, but instead, I’ve got a stable life for myself.

Almost against my own instincts, the system provided me with something I never imagined having: a weekly cleaner. At first, I balked at the idea. Having grown up justifying every little expense, the notion of someone else folding my laundry and scrubbing my floors felt… indulgent. But let me tell you—living in a spotless home is a game-changer. It’s amazing how much clarity and energy a clean environment brings. I’ve come to realise that sometimes, the help you don’t think you need can transform your daily life.

Chapter 77 - A David Among Goliaths

The story of Holodex isn't just about an idea; it's about resilience, audacity, and the will to face giants with little more than sheer determination. The industry is dominated by Aylo—a behemoth whose valuation towers in the billions, a juggernaut so firmly entrenched that most wouldn’t even consider trying to compete. But for me, the challenge of going head-to-head with such a colossal presence is precisely what makes this journey thrilling.

Holodex is my David against their Goliath. It’s not just about business; it’s personal. From day one, I’ve been armed only with my tech skills, resourcefulness, and a belief that there’s room for something better, something different. Aylo might own the market, but they don’t own the hearts of the creators or the audiences. That’s where I see the opportunity—a chance to build a platform that feels human, one that listens, adapts, and serves in a way the corporate monolith never could.

Chapter 76 - Game

Before I knew it, I found myself diving headfirst into a new idea—one that felt both personal and incredibly innovative. Using ChatGPT, I began designing a futuristic VR game that would transport players to a time when space prisons housed the worst of society’s criminals. To confuse matters I also called it Holodex. Set aboard a massive, high-tech prison ship, this game wasn’t just about escape or survival—it was about managing the rehabilitation of digital inmates, almost like a high-tech Tamagotchi in a grim, dystopian setting.

Chapter 75 - Failed investment

After deciding to give Holodex another shot, I was hit with a major roadblock: money. I needed an investor, and fast. There was one person, Simon, who had always been supportive of me in the past. I thought for sure he would come through. When I called him up to pitch my plan for re-entering the adult content space with Holodex, he seemed interested. He told me to send over everything I had, and he’d get back to me later that evening. So, I did what I had to do—I sent everything—financial projections, business plans, all of it.

But then… nothing. Months passed. I didn’t get a response. And when I finally did hear from him, it was a cold, distant email that didn’t feel like he even took the time to read my pitch. The worst part? It felt like I was being given the silent treatment. I had asked for just ten minutes of his time to discuss my vision, but months went by without any real feedback.

Chapter 74 - Youtube ZetaTalk

At least I was trying. After all, what else can you do when you believe in something so deeply? This year, something shifted in me, something that reignited my passion for ZetaTalk. It was another breakthrough—another tool that seemed like it had been made for this very purpose. I discovered an AI that could convert text to speech, and the real magic came when it paired with beautiful video imagery. I knew instantly this was the perfect medium for the ZetaTalk message.

And just like that, I was back on track. Before I even realised what was happening, I was creating what would become the official ZetaTalk YouTube channel. I can’t even begin to explain how ecstatic I was to get this role. It felt like a small victory in a battle that had felt endless. Hours later, I had created over 400 videos—a massive archive that would live on for anyone who wanted to explore the ideas in a video format.

Chapter 73 - Ten years

For ten long years, I’ve been trying to make the world listen—shouting about the truth I believe in, about ZetaTalk, and the mysteries that I’ve uncovered. It’s been a journey, and not one that many would understand. In fact, for most of the time, it felt like I was the only one in the world who even cared. I was the lone voice, much like someone in the past standing up and saying, “No, the Earth isn’t flat.” That kind of conviction, that kind of belief, is a heavy burden to carry when no one else is listening.

And yet, despite the years of silence, despite the feeling of being unheard, I continued. I made choices that others would deem unthinkable. I chose my cause over everything else—over my marriage, over relationships, and even over my own peace of mind. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly. In fact, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But in my heart, I felt that I was doing what I had to do. I couldn’t abandon what I believed in. I couldn’t just let the world continue without me trying to make it see something different.

Chapter 72 - The Art of Staying Alive

As you’ve probably guessed, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands. Being signed off work because of the psychological and physical battles I’ve faced has left me with more hours in the day than I sometimes know what to do with. At first, that time felt like a void—an endless stretch where my thoughts could spiral, pulling me back into the pain of everything I’ve endured. But over time, I discovered something incredible: the power of creativity to rebuild what life had taken from me.

Projects like Monk's Models and others have been my lifeline, my way of finding purpose when it felt like everything else had been stripped away. They weren’t just hobbies; they were a form of therapy. Writing scripts, generating music, producing episodes—all of it became a way to channel my experiences, process my emotions, and rediscover the parts of myself I thought were lost.

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