Buddhistic Dialogue

[poliphilo]

A, This planet is a hell dimension, right? Come on, be honest.

B. There are worse.

A . Yes, yes, I know. I should count my blessings...
..
B   Spring sunshine. Look the sun is out at the moment. Birds, H.G. Wells...

A   Jihadi John, David Cameron, Musketeer midwives...

B   There's good and bad.

A:   Both illusions?

B:  You took the words right out of my mouth.

A:  But why? Why can't I just flit around in the summerlands- with wings- meditating on truth and beauty, radiating ineffable love?

B   You'd be bored.

A   You're going to say it's character building, aren't you? Like the Scouts. Like Sir Arthur fucking Baden Powell.

B:  Not Arthur, You're confusing him with Conan Doyle.  The man you're think of was called Robert.

A.  Same difference. I hate all that. Uniforms, organised games. I used to hide out in the art room.

B:  Well you've been found. You'll always be found in the end. Actually you want to be found.

A.  Mafeking's out there waiting for me to relieve it?

B:  That sort of thing. Only its not urgent. Take as many lives as you like.

A:  Because it's not actually fucking real, is it? Mafeking, I mean-  just a game that's being played out, a simulation...

B:  (Says nothing)

A:  But if it's only a game....?

B.  (Maintains a dignified silence)

A:  I mean, why?

B:  You know really. (Pause.)  Else why would you be here?

Comments

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Until I read the earlier post, I thought 'Musketeer midwives' was you eliding two TV programmes you didn't think much of.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's a great pitch isn't it_

They fight for the king, they defend the weak, they deliver babies...

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I'd watch! And probably cover my eyes during the baby-delivering.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

But keep them wide open for the swordfights. :)

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Yes.

Have you real "Illusions" by Richard Bach? I re-read it every so often to remind myself of this.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't come across that one. I'll look out for it. I find books tend to come to hand when needed.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

It's an easy read... very American. It reads very much like your blog post.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Excellent.

Is Bach the guy who wrote Jonathan Livingstone Seagull?

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Yup.