Dave is slumped down on his couch, a beer resting on his paunch. Terry, his son, sits beside him. They watch the BBC news. A report about the credit crisis is followed by a special update on the progress made by the G20 and then an update about the massacre in India.
Dave: You know what I hate about earth?
Terry: What?
Dave: It's so fucking complicated... isn't it?
Terry looks at Dave blankly, not really sure whether that's meant to be the end of the story.
Dave: That. That India business. Complicated. Isn't it?
Terry: I don't really know what you're-
Dave: Eh? Isn't it?
Terry: Hey?
Dave: Don't you reckon?
Terry: You haven't-
Dave : Hey?
Terry continues to look at Dave but Dave is entranced by the news.
Dave: All this... falseness!
Terry looks back at the TV.
Dave: None of it- bloody- matters.
Terry: Dad!
Dave: What?
Terry: ...Don't swear.
Dave: Sorry mate.
Silence
Dave: But I mean fuck! Would you look at that?! Shooting each other... for nothing.
Terry: Isn't that what they're saying Dad? Take the money and run. It doesn't mean anything anyway. Shoot the people you don't like. Or stab the woman you love because... well... you can. The meek won't inherit the earth. Good won't come to those who are good. It's all just chance you know. Chance after chance after chance after chance.
Dave: (entranced by the TV) Eh?
Terry: I was just saying...
Dave: What?
A report on Christian Rinaldo winning the footballer of the year award comes on.
Terry: I was just saying that-
Dave: I fucking love this kid Rinaldo. Go on my son! Thank god there's something to live for eh?
Terry: Yep... That's... awesome, dad.
Dave drains the remainder of his beer then looks over at Terry for the first time.
Dave: Pass us another beer would you?
Terry: Sure.
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
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2 comments:
I owe Dave an apology.
At first, I thought he was just a passive, beer guzzling fool.. and I hated the reflection of myself in him. Too many of us watch the news, talk about injustice, and then have another drink... without getting around to doing more.
But I've warmed to Dave. He might have bad manners and be unable to talk while watching the television, but he can't help that. That's biology. Could also be cultural. Is he Australian by any chance?
Anyway, despite his faults, I respect Dave. He watches the news. He has a conscience. He has an opinion. He spends time with his child. In that living room, he's made an island of peace in a world full of madness.
I'm sorry Dave. Here's another six-pack.
deep.
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