Titans of Chaos

Colin spread his hands. "What? I've walked into a bank and ate in a restaurant. I haven't seen arace riot or a public hanging since I've been here, so I guess their system of government is holdingup for this afternoon. What kind of question is that, anyway? That's all theory. Democracy ortyranny or communism or capitalism. It's all something someone made up in his head. It's not real.

The reality is that people will do whatever they want to do, and make up some excuse later whythey did. Political economics is a list of excuses to use."

I said, "Well, God bless America, I say. These people are the freest on Earth."

Colin picked up his fork and jabbed it in my direction. "Which means they are the freest pigs inthe sty. And the Olympians are the swineherds. It does not matter what these people do or do notdo. The bloody gods and goddesses are running the show here. The freedom you see around you isa facade, a false face. If you care about freedom for Americans or Englishmen or Irishmen (thefinest race on Earth, let me just say), then you have to declare war against Heaven and Hell,against wind and wave and fire, and every other place the old gods dwell."

Victor said calmly, "I do not disagree with what you say, Colin, but let us see to securing our ownfreedom first."

We all toasted that remark.

It was based on that conversation that I started to wonder-if the human world were a false face,what lay under the mask?

Why were the gods in hiding, if men were their cattle?

My cash was still trapped in my fourth-dimensional pocket, but I had no chance to go to theladies' room and rotate it into being. Colin, with grand and solemn drama, swept up the bill whenthe waiter brought it, and he left a healthy tip, bankrupting himself for a gesture.

"Now you have to put out," he said to me with his crooked smile. "It's tradition."

Insults bubbled up to my lips (a natural process brought on by exposure to Colin). Victor spokebefore I did, though, saying in the cool, remote voice, "I believe the American tradition, in caseswhere the gentleman propositions a lady after paying for her meal with money she secured forhim, is to take him out back and drub him. Quentin, would you care to join me?"

To my surprise, little Quentin did step up to Colin and grab him by one arm, while Victor grabbedthe other.

"Hey!" shouted Colin. Heads turned at the shout. Patrons of the restaurant murmured in alarm.