Friends Only

[this_is_vienna]

The bosses want me to write on the events of yesterday's tragedy at London College.

I told them to get stuffed.

There is no humour to be found in that. None.

Comments

[voiced_silence]

Good for you, Victor. You okay?

[this_is_vienna]

Holding up alright. They said this means I won't get a column this week which means no pay. But that hardly matters. I won't do it.

How are you, Chiara?

[voiced_silence]

Watching the media do their usual tricks with this. The Religious Right are all over it, blaming Marilyn Manson and Quentin Tarantino. Bishop Holden's on board with it, of course. You think America would have enough school shootings without resorting to making a spectacle of ours. You could always have a go at them.

So, vaguely disgusted, otherwise unsurprised, generally okay, grazie.

[this_is_vienna]

Quentin Tarantino, hmm? When they can't see the actual reason, they have to reach for bullshit. I suppose I could, but I just don't feel like having a go about this particular topic at all. It makes me sick to think about contributing.

Glad to hear it. Would you like to catch a drink sometime.

[in_spectre_mors]

There most certainly is not. I feel ashamed that anyone even suggested it.

[this_is_vienna]

So do I. But their view on most things is that if it's a hot topic, I should write on it. They don't think about anything beyond circulation. I can use humour to vilify someone like Bishop Holden even though the situation in Rome was, in itself, a horrific tragedy. But I'm not going anywhere near this.

[in_spectre_mors]

A "hot topic". Ugh. I hate what society can do to a horror like this. It brings out the best, and unfortunately the very worst, in people...

[this_is_vienna]

That it does. It's quite disheartening but I'm lucky enough to have Autumn here. We spent the entire day watching silly cartoons. It was nice.

How are you getting on? Ready to come home soon, or do you wish you could go for a bit longer?

[chase_dragons]

Fucking Hell. Glad you told them where to stick it, mate.

[this_is_vienna]

My bosses aren't the most moral of individuals. That's why they have the job they do, unfortunately. And I am fated to forever be a struggling columnist. But I'd rather have that and keep my integrity intact, thanks.

[chase_dragons]

I think you have a lot of that. I really admire your moral fibre. That's something that will make a difference in the end.

[this_is_vienna]

Thank you, Timothy. I admire yours as well. I hope it does.