All these details were present from only reading the title:
A very large and heavy marble that you'd need to pick up with both hands to hold. A man was already there keeping a hand on the marble, to prevent it from rolling on the wooden table. The table is simple, square and has 4 legs. I know what the marble would sound like if it were to roll, bumping over the little imperfections. This is happening indoors, but there's some natural light coming through. The table is relatively close to the edge of a room but you can still approach the table from all sides. The room is mostly undefined besides that. The man is not too detailed, I have a vague awareness of what he is like, but more like a gestalt of him.
After reading the prompt:
The man rolled the ball with a soft push. It produced the expected sound and then he stopped it again before it fell. I felt anxiety when the ball rolled, and was relieved when it was stopped. I want to put it on soft cloth so that we can stop worrying about it rolling off the table. There's soft cloth nearby, and it's purple felt.
Funny, seeing them at the top gave me a favorable impression of them, but seems to have caused the opposite for you. My impression was probably due to, like someone else said, feeling like maybe they're not being drilled with as much anti-union propaganda.
But I'm from a place where you have to go out of your way not to be part of a union.
A quick test for this is, are you good at making a good first impression or short time of friendship and then it kinda falls off with time? If yes, masking is likely in play.
I really enjoyed reading your story. It's honest about your faults and kind to yourself at the same time. I hope I can find a way to see my own life in a similar way.
I get it, most of my life I've had episodes that are more like yours, and my brain just found this and it doesn't want to let go for a reason. The first couple of months I thought it was the best escape, but once I realized I couldn't stop, I've been despairing. I feel like I'm going mad but more quietly rather than explosively.
I like that Cory Doctorow is pretty open about having been scammed despite being quite well informed, because it really can happen to anyone. It just takes the right convergence of factors.
This reminds me of Inconstant Moon by Larry Niven! Time for a reread.