Trust Issues
Dear Rex-opolis,
My favorite writer was exposed for doing some sketchy things. His behavior, criminal or just creepy, has really turned me off.
Permanently.
Feels like a death in the family.
His characters were crucial in forming my identity. It was like he spoke my language, you know?
Those fantasy epics now linger as nightmares.
I can no longer enjoy tales I’d cherished so much.
I feel like he fooled us all.
How do I get over this?
Signed,
Done Reading Esteemed Author’s Masterpieces
Dear DREAM,
Once in a while, an artist really seems to know our secret heart.
It is amazing when that happens, when a song or story or stageplay resonates down to our core.
It is equally disillusioning when improper actions later accompany that art.
You are not alone in facing such a quandary.
I myself have a box of books and other trinkets from a franchise I once treasured.
Never want to open it again. Can’t bring myself to throw it away. Sitting in limbo.
I feel bad for those stories! They don’t deserve this.
Tainted forever, my faith in them shattered.
All we can do is try to find new champions. New art! That makes us happy.
I still believe the world is more good than bad. Which would seem to mean: more art is good-hearted than bad.
Keep that hopeful thought in mind as you seek new voices to nourish your soul.
Counterpoint commentary by …
Marzonk! the Strong-Man
Show business is show!
Not real. Feel real, yes, but it is not.
Marzonk! did not know this. Acted like big star everywhere he went.
At pizza parlor.
At pharmacy counter.
At discotheque.
Until great man teach Marzonk! how to handle better. Mentor named Smasher Biff Franklin.
He say to be humble when not on stage. Tell me Marzonk! not always special. Must also be regular person.
He show by example. Build bridge of trust!
Marzonk! would say his name one word — Bifffranklin — for longest time. Did not know! Yet Smasher never mock for it.
Because that was his number one rule. Classy.
Always! Be! Classy!
A performer without class, Biff say, is like ugly dog in dog show.
Dog-show dog who is ugly never going to get to win very much.
Same for writer who break your heart.
Marzonk! will always be classy when off stage, both to his fans and to himself.
