The Anti-Anxiety zone gave people relief from the world of anxious chaos. The building was a multistory greenhouse with plenty of light. Trees lined the paths, a waterfall ran through the levels down to a river and a pond, which maximized relaxation. The building featured a space for afternoon tea, as well as areas for classes, yoga and massages.
Everything felt tranquil.
The only problem was that people still brought their anxiety to the Anti-Anxiety Zone.
Lofton, the President of the Anti-Anxiety Zone, could not believe how many people still brought their anxiety with them. The building stood as a sanctuary of peace. He even hired a harpist.
So Lofton devised a plan. He installed a bell to ring throughout the compound and hired a group of anti-anxiety guards who used video cameras to monitor people. If the guards observed anxious behavior, they would ring the bell and the guests were instructed to remove themselves from the facility voluntarily.
The first time the bell rang, someone was pacing anxiously. The bell worked. The anxious patron started to head for the lobby. Lofton high-fived the guards. But then he noticed a second person begin to head for the lobby, followed by another, and then another. In total, 20 people removed themselves for having anxiety.
He looked at the guards. That was strange.
A few minutes later, a woman spilled tea and fretted over cleaning it up. The bell rang. Again, the woman instantly walked towards the lobby, but then others followed.
“What do you think is happening?” Lofton asked the guards.
“They must think they have anxiety,” one of the guards said.
They rang the bell twice more.
“Can we go home?” a guard asked.
“What for?” Lofton asked.
“No one’s still here.”
“But we have to know why!”
One of the guards rang the bell. “I think you have anxiety.”