\u00a0Here’s another draft starring the recurring James character.\u00a0 Lots of these were more just random episodes that I typed out for use in proper articles. A short one, and I have no idea if it found a way into any of the full articles.\u00a0 But tons of these “dialogues” exist in my notes.\u00a0 Some are based on real conversations with friends (including the one that James is based on) and some are created during my commutes.<\/p>\n
From August, 2006:<\/p>\n
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\u00a0James finished the rum in one, swift swallow.\u00a0 I gasped as he tossed the jug over the balcony and braced for the crash and scream as if he were pointing a gun at my head.\u00a0 It hit the grass, apparently unnoticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been getting a series of letters from an ex girlfriend lately.\u201d He said, reaching into his briefcase.\u00a0 He pulled out an armful of paper, envelopes neatly stapled to them.\u00a0 James had a background in reception work and knew how to respect the mail.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s the latest: \u2018The Root of the Crisis in the Middle East–\u2019\u201d He looked up over the letter as I rose from my chair.\u00a0 \u201cProblem?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore rum,\u201d I jerked my head towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m reading.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you were.\u201d\u00a0 I sat back down and folded my hands on my lap.\u00a0 He continued.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2014lies in the answers to the following questions:\u00a0 Number one, who gives us the strength to love?\u00a0 Is it God or is it our freedom?\u00a0 Without freedom, do we love?\u00a0 Without God, are we free?\u00a0 Number two, do you love me as I love you?\u00a0 Can you?\u00a0 How can you bear to be apart from me when I cannot stand to be apart from you?\u00a0 I feel you like a part of my body.\u00a0 I can sense when you \u2013\u2018\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJames,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to read these?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs my only friend, I should think you would respect my need for therapy and support in this time of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat crisis?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReceiving personal mail.\u00a0 Now, where was I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs there one that\u2019s less \u2018I want your cock\u2019 and more vaginally oriented?\u201d<\/p>\n
James blinked at me, then cocked his head.\u00a0 \u201cI have no idea what that means but, yes.\u00a0 Here.\u201d\u00a0 He shuffled through and picked out another letter.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019My dearest James \u2013 \u2018\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSnore!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019These long years have passed with my heart empty, my mind distracted, and my soul cold.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that.\u00a0 Soul cold.\u00a0 There\u2019s sort of a rhyme there, yes?\u00a0 Like, not a rhyme, but it seems like a rhyme.\u00a0 There\u2019s a name for that, isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n
James pressed the letter to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cTherapy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, right.\u00a0 Would you mind if I turn up the stereo while you read \u2013 \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re pushing me into the no-zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
I got up and went for the new bottle of rum, then returned to the balcony, \u201cThe rhyming thing threw me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSlant rhyming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSlant.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head, \u201cNo, I can\u2019t trust you now.\u00a0 You\u2019re mad at me.\u00a0 You could be saying anything.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve never heard of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich is why you don\u2019t know what it\u2019s called.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard of the rhyming style so, therefore, I must have heard what\u2019s it\u2019s called and, since I\u2019ve never heard of slant ramming, that can\u2019t be what it\u2019s called.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you say ramming?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRhyming.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0Here’s another draft starring the recurring James character.\u00a0 Lots of these were more just random episodes that I typed out for use in proper articles. A short one, and I have no idea if it found a way into any …<\/p>\n