Guess

Mr. Smith, if I may be allowed to address the bone and not the marrow, then allow me to make the introduction of this small band of thieves. These, kind sir, are your worst nightmare.

You cringe. You whisper something inaudible to that crony on the right, that pompous fool who laughs too loud to disguise a nervous tick. He blasphemies your name and dallies out of context. Its a pity you have no choice but to allow it, to shift in your dirt at best.

But he is a fool and I want nothing of him. You, on the other hand, are not. You sense very well the ice in my veins. After all, we are both quite dead.

Yes, cringe, you have every right. For I care nothing of your laws. Your marginal this and your balanced that. Your silly fascination with productivity. As an end, not a means. What fool do you take me for! As if there were some heaven of history that might reckon you some day and bestow a earthly paradise because of your divine efficiency. Next I suppose I should expect an old bearded fellow sitting on the street corner, wearing nothing but a dirty robe and sandals, and in his hand a sign - '7% growth - your ticket to the gates'. Of all your delusions, and there are so many, at least admit this - The future is no god. But you admit nothing. You are most excellent at silence, I give you that. So I say fuck it to it all.

I laugh at the silly ladders you climb. Don't you know they only lead to dirt. Climb to fall like a soldier to his massacre. Your petty deadlines. To get ahead. One up. First to market. Hit the window. Do it quick before your dead.

Yes, now you cringe. I saw you, and don't deny it. 'Make sure that they are few,' whispers the one behind. 'They're just a petty nuisance,' says another beside. Silly youth you say, and now you laugh nervously, as I have touched your nerve and you have felt my chill. But you know damn well that the weapon I carry cannot be conquered and will not be bought.

Who am I? Do you really want to know? I am many things. Most of all I am nothing. I am idle. I am lethargic in every regard but to insure I do not change. I am your confidence without the consumer. I am negative retail sales. I am a fifteen year replacement cycle. I am chaos. I am 0% prime. I am an unmotivated worker. I am buses and trains and bicycles. I am a plunger. I am irrational. I am an empty wallet and a full bank account. One that keeps on growing and growing and growing. For a rainy day of course. When the hard rain begins to fall.

I am all of that. I have seen it all and I don't care to see it anymore. I have had it all and I am full. I have touched everything that you have to tempt me with, and now your vice is nothing but a tick. I brush it off and continue on my way.

Well, I best be going now. Off to my castle. Good luck to you. And don't bother begging for a loan.

- posted by Sigurd11/26/2004 11:26:00 PM