The craving pays first

New rule. Before this craving gets a single word in, it pays. It wants a debate first. Should you, shouldn't you, look at the day you've had. You're tired, and it has rehearsed every line. Skip the debate and put up a toll booth instead. The arm stays down until the fee clears. Two flights of stairs, or once around the block.

The cigarette always let the urge ride free while you paid the fare. This craving is used to instant service. Want it, have it, done. A toll wrecks that deal. Stairs are a price it was never built to pay. Somewhere on the second flight, the wanting starts losing interest. Whatever makes it to the top is out of breath.

Go pay it now. Up the stairs, down, and up again. No stairs? Out the door and once around the block. Your legs move the same whether you feel strong or not. Say it on the first step. Lord, walk this one with me. Your legs don't negotiate.

Keep the toll the same every time. Same stairs, same block. A question invites an answer. A bill just gets paid. When the next one shows up, there's nothing to debate. The price is already posted. Walk back in like you own the road. The craving paid, and you set the price.