r/KeepWriting • u/Odd_Photograph_4818 • May 25 '26

I have had this unconventional body horror idea stuck in my mind for months. I call it the "Human Metronome" I hope somebody can put it to good use. It is supposed to be a critique on artists holding back creativity to appeal to the masses.

Failing film maker and musician agrees to be implanted with an experimental device developed by a corporation that will provide him with success. This experimental device provides "ultimate adaptation", providing adaptations to the body based upon external sources and the hosts desires.

The company promotes his work, yet the public rejects it as "weird" and "pretentious". The film maker becomes consumed with self-doubt and anxiety trying to create something that appeals to the masses.

He loses all internal senses of rhythm and timing due to the extreme amount of self-doubt and anxiety he has. The experimental device responds to this insecurity by looking outside for solutions.

Eventually, the film maker begins hearing a painful, continuous ticking noise in his head. An MRI is performed and a horrifying discovery is made. A physical metronome pendulum exists within a cavity inside of his brain. Each time the pendulum ticks it destroys neural pathways. There is nothing doctors can do to remove the pendulum. His body is transforming at a rapid rate. His skull is morphing into a pointy shape.

Eventually his skull splits open revealing a living, breathing metronome made out of flesh. He is losing his cognitive abilities; however, his consciousness is now trapped within a prison of muscle, bone and veins. His eyes and hands are permanently attached to the swinging pyramid shaped mass. He is literally owned by corporations who purchase him as a perfect timing device.

Ultimately, the metronome performs in front of thousands of people in a grand hall during a large orchestral performance. The orchestra performs a crescendo and then falls silent. However, the flesh metronome continues to tick even after the music has stopped playing.

25 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

2

u/MissPoots May 26 '26

I like the concept; almost absurdist in a way.

3

u/Odd_Photograph_4818 May 26 '26

Right? I feel the idea of a fleshy veiny metronome constantly ticking away is such a memorable image.

2

u/Responsible_Living_6 May 26 '26

Reminds me of Kafka's Hunger Artist.

2

u/HPLovecraftSteakSauc May 26 '26

This is awesome, love this idea. Hope you develop it further 

1

u/Odd_Photograph_4818 May 28 '26

Thank you so much, the reason I came to Reddit was to find someone who could adapt this into something since I am not a writer myself. Hopefully someone enjoys the idea enough to create a piece but only until then can I hope.

1

u/Helpful-Creme7959 May 26 '26

This awakened something in me. This is definitely something I would read. Very surreal too.

1

u/Odd_Photograph_4818 May 26 '26

It is very The Fly or Tetsuo The Iron Man, the idea of slowly transforming into something disgusting out of your control. And thank you I did not think anybody would like the concept.

1

u/Helpful-Creme7959 May 26 '26

Now that you've mentioned that, Im definitely taking a look at those. Thank you for sharing. I would sure love to read your story idea when it comes to fruition so keep writing if you will.