Чужак в чужой стране

           Ben,wouldyoucallmeanartist?"

           "Huh?Well,I’veneverthoughtaboutit.Youwriteaprettygoodstick."

           "Thankyou.‘Artist’isawordIavoidforthesamereasonsIhatetobecalled‘Doctor.’ButIamanartist,albeitaminorone.Admittedlymostofmystuffisfittoreadonlyonce?andnotevenonceforabusypersonwhoalreadyknowsthelittleIhavetosay.ButIamanhonestartist,becausewhatIwriteisconsciouslyintendedtoreachthecustomer–reachhimandaffecthim,ifpossiblewithpityandterror?or,ifnot,atleasttodivertthetediumofhishourswithachuckleoranoddidea.ButIamnevertryingtohideitfromhiminaprivatelanguage,noramIseekingthepraiseofotherwritersfor‘technique’orotherbalderdash.Iwantthepraiseofthecashcustomer,givenincashbecauseI’vereachedhim–orIdon’twantanything.Supportforthearts–merde!Agovernment-supportedartistisanincompetentwhore!Damnit,youpunchedoneofmybuttons.Letmefillyourglass,andyoutellmewhatisonyourmind."

           "Uh,Jubal,I’munhappy."

           "Thisisnews?"

           "No.ButI’vegotafreshsetoftroubles."Benfrowned."Ishouldn’thavecomehere,Iguess.Noneedtoburdenyouwiththem.I’mnotevensureIwanttotalkaboutthem."

           "Okay.Butaslongasyou’rehere,youcanlistentomytroubles."

           "Youhavetroubles?Jubal,I’vealwaysthoughtofyouastheonemanwhohadmanagedtobeatthegame,sixwaysfromzero."

           "Hmm,sometimeImusttellyouaboutmymarriedlife.