Conversation · Reading Materials

Softcovers, serialized fantastique and detective stories, 'Animal Adventures', a magazine for electrical engineering, and an international thriller. Also: light erotica and some historical novels from the century past.

"Critical theory books... What do you think this means?"

"Again, I am not a philosopher. But whoever has lived here -- they have some education. And a certain set of interests."

Interesting...

"Whoever has lived here -- they have some education. And a certain set of interests."

[Leave.]

"Critical theory books... What do you think this means?"

"Cuno doesn't give a shit. Cuno's not hooked on the book. Tryna get me hooked on it, teachers and shit..."

This means we have a critical theory loving vagrant here... interesting.

Does anything stand out as unusual?

Oh yes. Under the bed there is a rather extensive collection of critical theory -- that is: dour, life-non-affirming left wing literature -- published by small imprints such as Abattoir Firm and Ousia. It's not exactly light reading.

"Look, Kim. Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done."

"Ousia..." he enunciates the word diligently. "Looks like our straggler has kept some literature around -- for a quick ideological fix."

As usual, he does not respond to the political agitation.

"Look, Kim. A book. Left wing. I have no comments -- do you?"

"Look, Kim. Powerful communist theory, rigorous and truthful."

"Look, Kim. Deranged commie ranting."

"Look, Cuno. Powerful communist theory, rigorous and truthful."

"Yeah. Yeah." He nods, sagely. "Man's hooked on the book. Gotta get his fix. Cuno's seen this shit before. Cuno's never getting hooked on that Hjelmdall shit..."

He's probably already hooked on that Hjelmdall shit. A kid his age.. that's the best Hjelmdall age.

"Look, Cuno. Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done."

"Look, Cuno. Deranged commie ranting."

"Look, Cuno. A book. Left wing. I have no comments -- do you?"

Hmm... Deranged commie ranting.

Your incendiary remark has failed to stir a reaction in these books.

It's hard to get a good argument on -- when your partner gets shot and you're alone.

Hmm... Powerful communist theory, rigorous and truthy!

Hmm... A book. Left wing. I have no comments -- does anyone else?

Hmm... Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done.

Oh yes. Under the bed, there is a rather extensive collection of critical theory -- that is: dour, life-non-affirming left wing literature -- published by small imprints such as Abattoir Firm and Ousia. It's not exactly light reading.

"Look, Kim. A book. Left wing. I have no comments -- do you?"

"Ousia..." he enunciates the word diligently. "Humanitarian sciences. Stands out. Not a lot of critical theory around in Revachol West anymore..."

Your incendiary remark has failed to provoke him.

Wasn't there some in the communist student's room?

"Kids dig this stuff. There was plenty of it in the student's room. At the apartment building."

He nods. "That one student did have some, yes. It's still out of the ordinary."

The little books seem inconsequential next to the big pile of frivolous entertainment covering them.

"A student in the apartment building seemed to have some as well."

"Well, yes. That one student did."

Keep it to yourself.

It's making a strong comeback. After all...

"Look, Kim. Deranged commie ranting."

"Ousia..." he enunciates the word diligently. "I agree -- humanitarian sciences. It stands out. Not a lot of critical theory around in Revachol West..."

"Look, Kim. Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done."

"Look, Kim. Powerful communist theory, rigorous and truthful."

"Look, Cuno. A book. Left wing. I have no comments -- do you?"

"Yeah. Yeah." He nods, sagely.

He has no idea what that means.

Wasn't there some in the communist student's room?

Keep it to yourself.

The little books seem inconsequential next to the big pile of frivolous entertainment covering them.

"Kids dig this stuff. There was plenty of it in the student's room. At the apartment building."

"Mhm, yeah. Cool. Detective shit." He seems at a loss as to what to add.

"A student in the apartment building seemed to have some as well."

"Mhm, yeah. Cool. Detective shit." He seems at a loss as to what to add.

Critical theory is making a strong comeback. After all...

"Look, Cuno. Deranged commie ranting."

"Look, Cuno. Powerful communist theory, rigorous and truthful."

"Look, Cuno. Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done."

Hmm... Downbeat dribble for people who can't get shit done.