Comus, you’ve been at the wine again! Why do I bother? You can’t even get a set of coherent words out of your mouth.
On the other hand (sotto voce) a glass of wine would be rather pleasant and so much quicker as a way of sorting things out than a long and unpredictable political struggle.
And don’t blame Agnes for your troubles. If you go off with strange women, what do you expect! Do I need to repeat myself all the time – you are the son of a confirmed and wilfull drunkard. At least that’s everybody says. I suppose I should say, God bless you, good luck with that one. Do you remember your father leading the charge to the public bar, shrieking women around him. It was best not to get in their way. Once in the spirit of the thing they could tear a man to pieces.
What’s that you say, Comus? Do I find it difficult to write? I’m not sure I get your drift. A moment ago you were talking about some Derek or was it Gus. Or was it both Derek and Gus? The only Derek I know is a rather distant cousin who went off to Africa at a young age. At least that’s the last I heard about him. Gus? You mean the Roman Emperor? Writing I believe is a sort of co-production.
Yes it is Thursday today. Sorry where was I? There are too many people in here and they all want a bit of my mind. Poking and drilling in as though there was no tomorrow. My view is, as you will remember, that why do today what you can put off until tomorrow.
Yes, co-production. Me scribbling and the world not kicking me to death. Though more likely the world is completely indifferent.
But getting back to monsters. Where on earth was I going with that one? What we have to do is to turn our enemies into monsters. That’s what politicians are for. That’s their job. It’s number one in the job description. Make sure “the people” always know who the enemy are. And it’s easy for us. If it’s pointed out and repeated at regular intervals. The Americans are our friends and these others are terrorists. If you pay attention to the news you will soon find, however, that the terms are interchangeable. Friends become terrorists and terrorists become friends. So if you start thinking then you will discover that it is much more complicated.
Or, if you like, monsters become cuddly toys and cuddly toys become monsters. Like parents sometimes they are on our side and sometimes on the other side. Or babies for that matter – sometimes cuddly and sometimes screaming banshees.
See that ridge ahead? See how the sides drop away in dizzying drops? Well that’s where we are going, so try not to crawl. Stiff upper lip, remember.
