(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Arriving at the Visitor's Center, Melpomene takes a look around.

"Well, this is it. In all its touristic glory. "

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"We'll have to remedy that, on vacations," he says. "Just as long as it wasn't something like... you were attacked by alligators while on a boat or something, and are now afraid of them."

A pause.

"In a fight with alligators, though, I think you'd win."

[tragic_mask]

She grins, ferociously. "I know I would."

[mechanicalswans]

"And look beautiful while doing it," he says. "I'd pay good money to see that, you know. So would a lot of other people."

[tragic_mask]

"We should start a business," she says. "Mel's Fighting Gators."

[mechanicalswans]

"We should. I'll sell tickets and popcorn, and make you elaborate jewelry for nonexistent championships--not that I don't think you would win, just that I don't imagine there are championships for that."

[tragic_mask]

"Hey, we could make them. After all, it'd be a great marketing technique." She sighs. "Thought of course the whole thing would be terribly unfair to the alligators."

[mechanicalswans]

"So we'll stop once the alligators unionize and demand better working conditions," he says. "But until then, I see no problem with it."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, good. If we ever get hard up for cash, that's what we'll turn to."

[mechanicalswans]

"When we're not making a living telling stories and selling seashell jewelry," he nods. "We'll have quite a time."

[tragic_mask]

"I'm glad we've got such job security for the future," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"The trick is to have many skills, and be able to adapt," he says. "Nowadays we can't afford to specialize."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, I certainly try to have a specialty. I guess that's why no one remembers my name."

[mechanicalswans]

"Some people do," he says. "Classics majors, probably. And hippies, I'd wager."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I'm sure," she says, shooting him a look. "What a glorious legacy."

[mechanicalswans]

"I get hippies and neofascists," he murmurs. "I'd say you come out ahead."

[tragic_mask]

"Why neo-fascists?"

[mechanicalswans]

"So proud of their Germanic heritage," he says. "Pure, Aryan, Norse and Germanic heritage. And so into the occult."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, I guess I'm grateful that I have the Classics majors, then."

[mechanicalswans]

"We should exchange a few, sometime. Just for variety."

[tragic_mask]

"I doubt the world needs neo-fascists that can write great literature..." she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"It could use some who realize that their artistic ability isn't what they think it is," he says. "Or some who are exposed to great literature and realize the error of their earlier beliefs. And are rejected from their former communities and are not accepted by society at large, either. What a tragedy, eh?"

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, quite," she says, as the line moves forward.

[mechanicalswans]

"Whereas I could use a few classics scholars," he says. "People with an appreciation for art and craftsmanship, and not just weaponry."

[tragic_mask]

"Most of the Clasics majors I've met aren't particularly interested in craftsmanship..." she says. "They mostly just prolong interest in the old poets. Which is fine by me."

[mechanicalswans]

"So it might revitalize them a bit," he says. "Or we can all just focus on the hippies. I have an affection for them."