Shuck

Gives you a bit of character, hm? Assuming you got an injury as visible as mine. Tip for the future, Gods forbid you meet my fate; make sure any woman you’re havin’ a spat with cuts her damn nails down first. Lethal things used in the right way, I tell ya.     

Don’t undersell yourself, Ricky. If you were no-one you wouldn’t like your cats and your books. Or do the paperwork, but I imagine that’s a bit less interesting. So that’s what you do, hm? Paper-pushin’? I always get a bit bored of all the formal stuff myself, but that might just be my job bein’ such a personal thing t’me. 

No, names don’t tell us anything, do they? And considerin’ you ain’t airing out your dirty laundry for the world to see yet, I can tell you ain’t the kind to divulge in personal information at whim. So I ain’t gonna pry and I’m going to assume you to have the same courtesy. Unless it’s an equal exchange of information, hm? I can play a game of 20 questions.  

It’s the weak that they prey on, boy. But you make your excuses, it ain’t my job to cleanse you. 

Oh yes. We get such a small sliver of what’s out there. It’s almost unfair.  Sounds more to me like a case of possession and delusion mixed all up in one bucket, my friend. First you were somethin’ else, now it’s you and this other thing... added to the false name you were so steadfast in givin’, I feel like I’m talkin’ to someone who’s dug themselves a very deep hole and knows it. 

Don’t you worry about that, friend. It’s an old wound from an older time, I don’t feel a thing. Everything on the left is a bit fuzzy, but I get by. 

Ain’t one for selfies, but with all the accusations flyin’ about questionin my humanity I feel like I owe some sort of evidence.

I’d consider you a saucerer. But enough of that, I’m sure we can play on words forever. Who are you, Ricky? Tell me something about yourself, preferably something unrelated to coffee cups! I like having a mental picture of who I’m talkin’ to, if you don’t mind. 

Oh, you can laugh it all off if it makes you feel any better. It won’t change a thing.  Hate to pop ya little bubble, but you just spilt your milk everywhere in the same paragraph as sayin’ you wouldn’t. Is hypocrisy common with your kind? I can’t say I know what you are, but I do know you ain’t normal. There others like you? Then again, I’m sure there’s some juicy details elsewhere you’re itchin’ to blurt out. Cat got your tongue on some things, hm? Or perhaps there is a filter in between your mouth and your mind, just a selective one. Either way, it’s been amusin’.  I will. And don’t you worry your little head about that one, I know death ain’t an option for you already. You’re welcome to stop by any time you like regardless. 

It’s a matter of personal taste: if I’m interested in a conversation with someone then I might as well know their name for future reference. It would be mighty impolite if I called you ‘stranger’ this whole time. And so that you have a name to tie to that quote of mine you’ve pinned up, I’m Shuck. Pleased ta meet ya, even if it’s over text.  Oh yes, it does. We might as well enjoy the veiw while they topple themselves over, hm? 

Of course it’s lines in the sand. But you’re standing ankle-deep, claiming sand don’t exist and somehow you adhere to the lines that mean you deserve it, while stepping over the lines that tell you the exact opposite.  But please, go on about how you’re a freak and deserve mercy. The more you struggle to keep your head above this water, the more it’s clear you’re drowning. 

Thank you, stranger. Do you mind me askin’ your name? I like to know who I’m talking to, especially when they’re individuals worth the time.  Ahh, they’ll tread in the dirt alright. And someone’ll get sick of the stains on their carpet, that’s true. It’s only natural, isn’t it? To take things out of the world when they cause mess beyond their control. 

I’m aware boy, I’m not blind. Alas, ‘static-craft’ doesn’t have the same ring as cup-craft does.

Ricky it is! I ain’t heard that name in a while, though once knew a Richard. Not as big a fan of coffee, or cup-craft, but I’ll not hold you to his shadow and compare. It’s good to ‘meet’ you, if only through discourse. I’m sure we’ll have nicer things to talk about soon enough.