Conversation · Steban, the Student Communist

The delicate egos on these boys! Even though you're just some cop they're desperate for your approval.

Hey! You're not just 'some cop', you've got highly developed critical faculties! Now's your chance to show them off.

(Show them your edits.) "I actually had a few pieces of constructive criticism..."

The young man takes the folded up magazine with some hesitation. As he reads over your annotations and emendations a look of deep concentration comes over his face...

He has the look of a man spread naked on the operating table. He can feel the cool metal of the scalpel, the bracing sting of the antiseptic, and yet his expression isn't wholly unpleasant. A part of him actually seems to enjoy the attention.

"What does it say, Steban? I can't see."

"They're... good notes. A little brutal on questions of style, but he's not wrong about any of it..."

"Would it be alright if I kept this for a while? I'd just like some time to think about your comments." He turns to you.

"Sure, you hang onto it."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"No, that's my only copy."

"Sure, right. I got the main idea anyway."

"To be honest, it doesn't sound like you know anything about motor racing."

"Well, I hope you'll let us know when your monograph is coming out..."

"I bet he's never written a substantial essay himself. He's really got no right to critique. None at all."

Well, there you did it. You stung them, and to what end?

"It sounded like a recycled university essay, frankly."

"It was a good article. You should keep developing your ideas."

"Well, of course that's just an initial foray into the subject. We're hoping to return to it for a more substantial treatment next term..."

"In any case, I'm glad our piece found its audience. That's always the hope with these things, you know."

"I liked the parts about death and dismemberment. That's what racing's all about."

"Well, yes, that's the crux of our thesis. Ulixes is especially interested in capitalist violence."

"Really just violence in general. I find it fascinating."

Something about this one makes you want to avoid dark alleys at night...

Time to meet these two on the intellectual battlefield. Why don't you show off those highly developed critical faculties of yours?

"I don't think so." The young man gives you a curious look. "Unless you've been hanging around the Cultural Studies faculty at the École Normale de Revachol..."

"Perhaps he subscribes to 'La Fumée'."

That's sarcasm. He does not expect you to subscribe to radical communist periodicals.

Of course! They're the ones who produced that overwrought critique of TipTop Tournée.

(Show them 'La Fumée'.) "Wait, you guys wrote for this?"

"Aha, you two wrote the piece about motor carriage racing."

Convince them you belong in the reading group.

What's there to be scared of? You've really been cracking the books these last few days. You can go toe-to-intellectual-toe with any reading group in Martinaise...

You've spent a not inconsiderable amount of time arranging the works in your mental library by theme and period. All the ideas and references you'll need are ready-at-hand.

Now, chin up. You've got this.

"This is just the group I've been looking for. When do we start?"

"Oh, you want to start now?" He looks to his companion, then back at you. "Sure, we can manage that..."

You've caught him off-balance. The momentum is already in your favour.

"Go ahead and take a seat. Since we haven't had time to prepare an exhaustive questionnaire, I think we can keep this interview more freeform."

"Why don't you tell us a bit about the books you're interested in, and we'll just see where the conversation goes."

"I'm more into practical books. Books that help me understand the real world."

"Aha, a real old-school pedestrian materialist. Alright, we'll play along..."

"So what sort of practical works are we talking about?"

"Just consider the cockatoo for instance. How much do you really know about what they're like?"

"Cockatoos? Fascinating. So tell us what you gathered from your ornithological researches."

Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. This is a subject where you hold all the advantages...

"... and that's how I discovered my heraldic bird."

"I have to say, I never realised humans and cockatoos had so much in common."

"It makes sense, though. Mazovianism stresses the essential continuity between humanity and nature, so anything you find in one should be reflected in the other. What's the exact quote, Uli?"

"I believe it's 'Man is the mirror of the world'."

"In any case, I think we've heard enough. We could use someone with your perspective in the group. With just a bit more theoretical foundation, I think you'll be making real contributions."

"Yes, I would say he's got serious potential at least."

"Besides, it's inconceivable that we'd turn down a fellow Wirrâl enthusiast..."

These kids are eating out of your hand, practically. Another quarter of an hour disappears. The questions come rapid-fire, but you have an answer for every one.

Now, you can sense things starting to slow down. The interview must be reaching an inflection point...

"Absolutely. It's the only proper foundation to develop a real understanding of events." He nods in vigorous agreement.

"Listen, books are fine and all, but to be straight with you, they're no substitute for a real story."

"Okay, we'll bite." The young man and his companion look at one another, then turn back to you. "What sort of stories are we talking about?"

A real-life procedural, complete with gory details...

How about a tale of adventure, intrigue, and derring-do?