(civil society)

Ok, explain Temperance.

The explanation was that it was for civil society. Because who would farm if you could drink? 'We gave you the land to make a country.' Etc. And what would the women and kids do?

Exactly. A drunk husband. All I’m saying is the other argument is, you know, don’t tell me what to do. I don’t need your help. I’m straight.

I know. But you’ll make a case for anything.

Well, suicide then. I mean... Altho, there are the failed suicides. Is it really just a cry for help? Legislate against incompetence, a hedge against expense?

I knew a failed suicide.

Yeah?

At the hospital when I worked on the elevator.

Oh yeah. Who?

She was 18, she jumped off a building

how many floors?

Not high enough. 8th floor.

8 isn’t enough?

Ha. Apparently not. There was this other guy who shot himself. Permanent wheelchair, para. He’d offer to let me touch the entrance and exit holes, little soft spots on his head.

Wow. What caliber was the gun?

Why?

Small bullets’ll spin around inside your skull and pop out the other side.

That’s what he said.

So, would he say he was more inclined than ever? “In the mouth next time” ?

You’d think. No, I asked him once, ‘what do you think now?’ And he said, ‘Well, now I think I was a fucking idiot.’

Like, ‘I’ve got to get my shit together.’?

That’s what he was like. There were others. The ones who were speeding and crashed.

Right, they’re like, why me?

This one guy was driving his sports car and he was leaning out the side window to talk to someone and he hit his head.

Oh my god.

Quadriplegic. He was angry everyday.