we are "The Hollow Men" by TS Eliot (rats are mentioned too)

in death's twilight kingdom...

this period of time is like reveling in debauchery, self-expression, unbridled greed in weimar germany... the world is your oyster until it collapses

"If I were to be put to trial, I would claim I am doing this for the person in my memories; the person that would’ve loved traveling to Japan." I sometimes feel like I am living entirely for the sake of that person in my memories, trying to make them proud of me, as though they were some venerated ancestor, rather than just... myself

would be curious what you'd do & write about if you could no longer access your long term memories