Party Crashers part 7: Conversation with Mr. Dark
by Daniel Beadle - Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Dan withdraws to the lounge with his rum and coke, a decidedly smoother drink. The music from the banquet is a distant echo of tranquility, featuring "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me" by Mr. Sinatra.Dan takes a seat in the leather chair, one seat away from a man wearing a Valentino suit and enjoying a glass of scotch.
"A beautiful night. I'm sure you'll agree," says the man.
"Absolutely," responds Dan.
"So what happened to your friends?" He places an odd intonation on the last word.
Dan looks around. "Um, D-Man is closing with someone, I think..."
"D-Man?"
"Devin Manning. We just call him 'D-Man' because he gets laid regularly without dating. Kind of like Donnie Savia."
The man quickly loses interest in the topic of discussion as "The Last Dance," also by Sinatra, begins playing. "Now this song brings back memories, doesn't it?"
Dan looks mildly morose as he agrees. "Yes."
"It reminds you of her, doesn't it son? What's it been? Two years now?"
"Almost exactly."
"It hurts, doesn't it, son? But as I tell you time and time again: Love is the surest route to self-destruction. And I would say, with a great of certainty, that your life will end because you chose to love."
"Why do you have to say things like that?"
The man holds up his hands apologetically. "I'm just pointing out what I see. You're a very sensitive person, Daniel. You just need to divorce yourself from your emotions a little more."
"Ignore my emotions? Is that even possible?"
"It is if you commit yourself to it." The man leans forward. "Look: Feelings are only dangerous when you believe that they have significance." He sips his drink to almost nothing. "You have to understand, Daniel... There is no other being on this earth that genuinely cares for you. You let yourself fall into that trap too easily, too readily; you prefer to believe that there are other humans that have a sincere concern for your well-being. This is not true. Humans are liars, whether they lie to themselves, or whether they lie to you, it matters not. They are ignorant, and regardless of whether they realize this or not, they are incapable of truth.""That's a pretty negative world-view. Are you sure you belong in this story?"
The man chuckles. "That sense of humor of yours... it just might save your life."
Dan sips his drink. "I hope so."
"But seriously son, let me me just tell you this: You are alone. No human has concern outside of their own self-interest. Some acknowledge this truth, others deny it. It is your task to determine the extent of their deceptive nature. And hope... hope is nothing to cling to. Hope sustains nothing, and leads nowhere. The optimists of this world are the greatest liars in existence. They lie to themselves with such efficiency that they have no concept of reality. Don’t let yourself fall into this trap. Hope for nothing.”
"An interesting take on things... I'll give you that, Mr. Dark."
The man chuckles to himself. "Mr. Dark, eh? I like that. I'll have to keep that one in mind." He stands. "You take care of yourself, Daniel."
"Likewise."
The man turns his back on Dan as he exits, whispering one final sentence. "I'll see you around, son."
NEXT: SEGUE
