Friday 9 August 2019

TRUE NORTH




EXT. HILLTOP - FRESH WATER FARM - SUNSET 

The loveliest spot on the farm. A beautiful view of the house, barns, river, fields and hills beyond. A gravestone stands in the shade of a soaring oak tree covered with Spanish moss. It reads: 

ELIZABETH PUTNAM MARTIN 1738-1773 

Above her name is a carving of the night sky, at the center of which is the NORTH STAR, steady and guiding. 

Martin approaches. 
He gives himself a moment to look at the grave. 
A soft wind blows some dry leaves along the ground. 
Martin turns his head, as if listening to spoken words. 

PUSH IN on the North Star on the gravestone. 

MARGARET (V.O.) 
That's her, the North Star... 

DISSOLVE TO: INT. GIRLS' BEDROOM - NIGHT 
Martin stands in the doorway, unobserved, while Margaret and Susan look out the window at the night sky. 

MARGARET 
... you start from the front two stars of the Big Dipper and count up five fingers lengths... that's right... there. Susan gazes up at the North Star. The girls notice Martin and climb into bed. He puts a chair against Susan's bed and kisses her. He pulls a blanket up around Margaret, who whispers: 

MARGARET 
It helps her to know Mother's there. Martin nods with a thin smile, kisses Margaret, picks up his candle and walks out. 

INT. BOYS' BEDROOM - NIGHT 
Martin enters, finding William asleep on the floor and Nathan and Samuel both asleep in their beds. He lifts William into bed, takes a slingshot from Nathan's hand. Samuel looks up, three-quarters asleep, murmuring: 

SAMUEL 
Mail, papa...

MARTIN I know. He tucks in Samuel and walks out.

INT. THE NURSERY - NIGHT
Georgie is in his bed, back in his nightclothes again. He tosses and turns in his sleep. Mary Poppins sits next to him. 

MARY POPPINS
It’s alright, Georgie, it’s alright. You were been having a nice sort of nightmare, I must say.

Mary Poppins turns on his bedside lamp.


GEORGIE
You were right, Mary Poppins! A cover is not the book! We thought they were nice, but they were mean!


MARY POPPINS
Whatever are you talking about?

GEORGIE
They tried to take Gillie!

MARY POPPINS
Gillie is right here, sleeping - as you should be.

She moves the giraffe next to Georgie.

GEORGIE
But it was real! 
They stole all our things, and the wolf said we were never going to see our home again.

MARY POPPINS
That’s absurd.

Mary Poppins stands goes to shut the window. She sees Jack cycling away outside, he waves up to her as he goes. John and Annabel climb out of their beds, awake as well. 

JOHN
But I had a nightmare like that, too.


ANNABEL(Turning on light:)
So did I. It seemed awfully real.

GEORGIE
I don’t want to lose our home.

Georgie moves over and sits on Annabel’s bed, cuddling Gillie.

JOHN
You see, Georgie? 
That’s why we wanted mother’s bowl; we were going to sell it to save the house.

GEORGIE(After a beat.)
I miss mother.

The room falls silent. 

Something flickers ever so briefly in Mary Poppins’ eyes, and then she speaks.

MARY POPPINS
Listen to the three of you. 
You’re all worrying far too much. 
After all, you can’t lose what you’ve never lost.

GEORGIE
I don’t understand.


"THE PLACE WHERE LOST THINGS GO"MARY POPPINS

DO YOU EVER LIE AWAKE AT NIGHT
JUST BETWEEN THE DARK AND THE MORNING LIGHT
SEARCHING FOR THE THINGS YOU USED TO KNOW
LOOKING FOR THE PLACE WHERE THE LOST THINGS GODO YOU EVER DREAM OR REMINISCE?
WONDERING WHERE TO FIND WHAT YOU TRULY MISS
WELL MAYBE ALL THOSE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE SO
ARE WAITING IN THE PLACE WHERE THE LOST THINGS GO
MEMORIES YOU'VE SHARED
GONE FOR GOOD YOU FEARED
THEY'RE ALL AROUND YOU STILL
THOUGH THEY'VE DISAPPEARED
NOTHING'S REALLY LEFTOR LOST WITHOUT A TRACE
NOTHING'S GONE FOREVER
ONLY OUT OF PLACE...

Mary Poppins puts John back to bed and tucks him in. 
She tucks Annabel into her bed.

SO MAYBE NOW THE DISH AND MY BEST SPOON
ARE PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK JUST BEHIND THE MOON
WAITING THERE UNTIL IT'S TIME TO SHOW
SPRING IS LIKE THAT NOW, FAR BENEATH THE SNOW
HIDING IN THE PLACE WHERE THE LOST THINGS GO

Mary Poppins takes Georgie’s hand and leads him back to bed.

Now, time to get some sleep. And in the morning, bright and early, we’ll take that bowl to my cousin and have it mended.(She tucks Georgie in.)

TIME TO CLOSE YOUR EYES
SO SLEEP CAN COME AROUND
FOR WHEN YOU DREAM, YOU'LL FIND
ALL THAT'S LOST IS FOUND
MAYBE ON THE MOON
OR MAYBE SOMEWHERE NEW
MAYBE ALL YOU'RE MISSING LIVES INSIDE OF YOU...
SO, WHEN YOU NEED HER TOUCH AND LOVING GAZE
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN IS THE PERFECT PHRASE

Mary Poppins walks over to the window, looking out toward a bright star in the night sky. 

SMILING FROM A STAR THAT SHE MAKES GLOW
TRUST SHE'S ALWAYS THERE, WATCHING AS YOU GROW
FIND HER IN THE PLACE WHERE THE LOST THINGS GO

Mary Poppins walks out of the nursery, closing the pocket doors that lead to her room. Annabel, gets up, crossing to look out the window at the star. 

After a moment, she turns to go back to bed, but then she notices the bowl on the mantelpiece. She peers at it, her eyes growing wide.

ANNABEL
(Quiet wonder:)
John... look! Mary Poppins’ scarf. It wasn’t a dream after all... 

John crosses to Annabel’s side. She points at the carriage on the bowl; Mary Poppins' scarf is tied around the broken wheel. John is amazed.

JOHN
Shall we tell her?

ANNABEL
We’d better not. I expect she already knows




Michael Burn ‘em :
Burnham to Discovery.
I'm setting coordinates for the Beta Quadrant, Terralysium, 930 years from this launch point.
That should take us where we need to go.
 
 
Commander, the quantum fluctuations within the wormhole make it difficult to track your position using standard sensors.


How do you intend to guide us through? 
 
I'll send A Signal.
The sixth signal.
Like The North Star, that's what this is.
You can follow it to me on The Other side.



Copy, Commander.
I'm approaching the briefing room now.
Copy that, Captain.
- Standing by to assist.
- Thank you, Number One.
 
(DOOR WHOOSHES OPEN) (SCREAMS) (GRUNTING) 
Your algorithm was the easiest to predict.
You would want fast access to the ship's two most valuable assets.
The Data is in the spore console.
 
 
(BOTH YELL) (LOCKS DOOR) You think This Cage will hold me? 
 
(PIKE GRUNTS)
 
What if we transfer the antimatter to antimatter pods? 
 
Too risky.
 
 
You sure you can't reprogram the guidance system? (EXPLOSION) I've tried.
This thing is gonna blow in 90 seconds.
There's an emergency lever for the blast door.
I can bring it down manually, from the inside, and seal off the rest of the ship.
- No.
 
We are Out of Time.
That Last Light will change, this torpedo will blow, and everyone on The Bridge, maybe everyone on This Ship, will die.
 
 
And if you do this, you die.
This is My Ship, My Responsibility.
 
 
This isn't where Your Story ends.
And I think you know that.
If I'm meant for a different future, this thing can't possibly go off with me in here.
Maybe not.
But how many people will pay the price if you're wrong? Kat Go.
It's time.
And, Chris whatever your path may be, you can handle it.
(BEEPING RAPIDLY) Discovery to Enterprise, are you all right? We're okay.
But we lost the admiral.
 
 
SARU: 
Burnham, we are running out of time.
Okay, it's time to go, Spock.
Get back to Discovery.
 
 
Michael, I cannot.
 
 
What? 
 
When my vessel was hit My engines are disabled.
 
 
Discovery can lock onto you with a tractor beam.
 
 
There is no time.
And even if there were, they would need to lower their shields to bring me aboard, and they will not survive doing so.
Not in this battle.
Not with the amount of damage that ship has already sustained.
You must go.
 
 
I just got you back.
I don't want to let go.
 
 
Neither do I.
I already lost you once.
 
 
You never Lost Me, Michael.
As A Child, I was Truly Lost.
The Path of My Father, The Path of My Mother.
You came into our lives and you taught me it was possible to travel both.
You Found Me.
You Saved Me.
 
 
That wasn't me.
That was always in you.
 
 
You are My Balance, Michael, you always have been, and I am afraid that I will not find it again without you.
 
 
Okay.
Listen to Me.
Listen to Me, Little Brother.
This is the last advice I'll ever be able to give you.
There is a Whole Galaxy out there full of people who will reach for you.
You Have to LET Them.
Find that person who seems farthest from you, and reach for them.
Reach for them.
Let them guide you.
 
 
I will.
I only wish I could be certain of your safety.
 
 
(SIGHS) 
You will.
(CHUCKLES) (SNIFFLES) 
I'll send the last signal.
I'll send it through The Wormhole when we get to The Other Side.
 
 
I will Watch The Stars for it.
 
(GRUNTING) 
 
Oh, enough with the tantrum already.
Let's end this now, shall we? You should know I've magnetized the spore cube.
 
 
Enjoy.
(WHIRRING) (DISTORTED ALARM AND CHATTER) 
 
SPOCK (OVER COMM): Spock to Enterprise.
My shuttle's engines are disabled.
I will not be returning to Discovery.
Hold your position.
We'll transport you out.
 
 
Commander Saru, how are your shields? 
Ensign Tilly, where are we? Almost there.
(POWERING UP) (PANTING) 
Somebody owes me a beer.
We are good to go, sir.
Shields back up to 40%.
 
More than enough, Captain.
 
PIKE (OVER COMM): 
Stand by to transport, Spock.
 
 
(SPEAKING VULCAN) Michael.
 
 
I Love You, Too, Brother.
 
 
(CRYING) 
Commander Burnham, on your mark.
 
 
Burnham to Discovery.
Let's Go.
Lieutenant Detmer, full power.
 
 
Follow our signal.
(PANTING) All vessels, aim at 3-mark-5-mark-2.
Clear a path.
 
 
Goodbye, Captain Pike.
 
 
Goodbye, my friends.
My Family.
 
 
We're on our way, Paul.
We're on our way.
 
 
This does not end here.
 
 
Actually, it does, and it's going to hurt.
And I'd like to hear you scream now.
 
 
(SCREAMING) 
No! (GIGGLES) 
 
Captain, they're all Dead in The Water.
Open fire.
 
 
Georgiou to Bridge.
I'm in Engineering.
Leland is Dead.
Control is Neutralized.
 
SARU: 
Copy, Commander.
We are on our way.
(SOFTLY): Go.
Go, go.

Thursday 8 August 2019

This isn't Fantasy, it's Theatre.


This isn’t Reality - This is FANTASY!
— Lt. Uhura

This isn't Fantasy, it's Theatre. 
— Lt.Com. Troi









BARCLAY: 
Well, I just feel more more comfortable playing somebody else. Maybe all this is not any better than escaping into a holodeck fantasy.

TROI: 
I disagree. This isn't Fantasy, it's Theatre. 

You used to withdraw onto the holodeck. You isolated yourself inside your own imagination, avoiding contact with real people. Look at yourself now. Look at all the other people you're with. 

You're not just acting, you're interacting. Give yourself some credit, Mister Barclay. 

BARCLAY: 
Maybe you're right.








Wednesday 7 August 2019

The Majors Tom : MOON



The Movie which takes Self-Care 
to a whole other level






(Distant conversation)
[Gerty]: 
The New Sam is in reworking order.
But we only have two
working harvesters now.

  
[Overmeyers]: (sarcastically)
Yeah, well,what a surprise!

  
[Thompson]: 
Gerty, we're going to have to
find a way to ramp up production.

  
Gerty : 
I know.

  
Overmeyers : 
This is incredible!
But how do you manage to destroy a fucking rover, a harvester and
an employee all on the same day?

  GERTY :
These were extraordinary
circumstances, as you know.

  
[Thompson]:
Gerty, what is the status on Harvester 3?
How do the repairs look on... (stopped)
















The ELIZA effect, in computer science, is the tendency to unconsciously assume computer behaviors are analogous to human behaviors, that is anthropomorphisation.



G•E•R•T•Y :
Sam, this is not going to work.

Sam Bell :
Why?

G•E•R•T•Y :
I have recorded everything that has taken place since your awakening.

If anyone were to check my memory cache, it would put you in considerable danger.

You could erase my memory banks. 
I could reboot myself once you have departed.

Sam Bell :
Are you okay with that?

G•E•R•T•Y :
[ BIG Smile ]
I'm here to keep you safe, Sam.
I want to help you.

  
[Computer]:
E.L.I.Z.A arrival estimated in 24 minutes.


G•E•R•T•Y :
Sam.


Sam Bell :
I set your...I set your
computer to reboot... the moment that I launch.


G•E•R•T•Y :
I understand, Sam.
You should be OK.
[ BIG Smile ]
I hope life on Earth is everything
you remember it to be.

 
Sam Bell :
Thanks, Gerty.
Are you going to be OK?


G•E•R•T•Y :
Of course.
The New Sam and I will be back to our programming as soon as I have finished rebooting.

 Sam Bell :
Gerty, we're not programmed —
We're People. Understand?



Little Monkey Fitz











Little Monkey Bastard :
Have you ever tried those things? 

Jemma Simmons :
Puffies? Just once.
By mistake.

Little Monkey Bastard :
They make you sick? 

Jemma Simmons :
No.
No, definitely not sick.

Little Monkey Bastard :
You're being cagey again.

Jemma Simmons :
[SIGHS] 
You I saw you in a monkey outfit, dancing.

Little Monkey Fitz : Giant (1956)


South-Central Texas — Early 20th Century

Jett Rink: 
I don't know what it might just be a good idea... to gamble 'long with ol' Madama. 

Bick Benedict: 
How do you mean? 

Jett Rink: 
Jus' gamble 'long. 
Just... keep what she give me. 
[beat
I'm sentimental too, Bick.


“ You’re Both Rather Gentle Creatures.... ”

— The Lady Leslie of The House of Benedict 





Little Monkey Fitz : Rebel Without a Cause (1955)


Los Angeles County, Ca. — 1955

Rebel Without a Cause: 
The Hypnoanalysis of a Criminal Psychopath

JAMES STARK :
Listen... I know a Place. 
Plato told me before. 

It's an old, deserted mansion...up by the planetarium. 
Want to go up there with me? 

You can Trust me, Judy. 


NATALIE WOULD :
Okay. 




PINNY :
He's home! 
You're home! 
You're home. 
Are you all right? 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Where were you? 
We were so worried. 
I wouldn't take a sleeping pill till you were home. 




JAMES STARK :
Can I talk to you guys? 
I have to talk to somebody. 
You better give me an answer this time. 



PINNY :
Go ahead. 



STARK :
A direct answer. 

I'm in trouble. 

You know that big, high bluff near Millertown? 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Yes, there was a bad accident there. 


PINNY :
They showed the pictures on television. 





STARK :
I was in it. 



PINNY :
How can you... 



STARK :
It doesn't matter how. 
I was driving a stolen car. 




PINNY :
That's a fine thing! 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Do you enjoy doing this to me, or what? 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
You wanted him to make a list! 

PINNY :
Let him tell it! 

STARK :
She doesn't care! 



MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
You remember how I almost died giving birth to him? 
And then you say I don't care! 

PINNY :
Please relax, relax! 



STARK :
Dad... 
...I said it was a Matter of Honour. 
Remember? 
They called me chicken. 
You know? Chicken? 
I had to go. 
If I didn't, I'd never be able to face those kids again. 
I got in one of those cars... 
...and Buzz, one of those kids, he got in the other car... 
...and we had to drive fast... 
...and then jump before the car came to The Edge. 
And I got out okay and Buzz didn't. 
And it killed him. 
I can't keep it to myself anymore. 


PINNY :
You just get it off your chest. 


STARK :
That is not what I mean! 
I have never done anything Right. 
I've been going around with my head in a sling for years. 
I don't want to drag you into this, but I can't help it. 
You see, I think...  you can't just go around proving things and pretending like you're tough. 


PINNY :
That's right. 
And even though you got to look a certain way... 
You're absolutely right! - 
You look, you feel... 


STARK :
You're not listening to me! 
You're involved in this, just like I am! 
I'm going to the police and telling them I'm involved. 


PINNY :
Did anyone see you? 
Did anyone see your license plate? - 

STARK :
I don't know! 

PINNY :
Will the others go to the police? 

STARK :
It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Why be the only one involved? 

PINNY :
Far be it from me... 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Do we have to listen to a sermon now? 

PINNY :
I'm telling him what you mean. 
You can't be idealistic all your life. Nobody thanks you for... 

STARK :
Except to YOURSELF! - 

PINNY :
Wait a minute! 



STARK :
Except yourself. 
You don't want me to go? 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
No, I don't want you to go to the police. 

PINNY :
Why should you be the only one involved? 

STARK :
But I am involved! 
We are all involved! 
A boy, a kid was killed tonight! 
I can't get out of it and pretend it didn't happen! 


PINNY :
Well, you know that you did the wrong thing. 
That's the main thing. 

STARK :
That's nothing. 
That is absolutely nothing. 
Dad, you said... you want me to tell The Truth. 
Didn't you say that? 
You can't turn it off. 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
He's not saying that. 
He's saying just don't volunteer! 
Just tell a little white lie. 

PINNY :
You'll learn! 
When you're older, Jim. 

STARK :
Well, I don't think that I want to learn that way. 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
It doesn't matter anyway, because we're moving! 


STARK :
Don't tear me loose again. 
Just why are we moving? 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Must I spell it out? 


STARK :
You won't use me as an excuse again! 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
I don't! 


STARK :
When you can't face yourself you blame me! 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
That is not True! 

STARK :
You say it's because of me or the neighborhood! 
You use every other phony excuse! 
Mom, I just... 

Once, I want to do something RIGHT

And I don't want you to run away from me again! 



PINNY :
This is all going too fast. 

STARK :
You better give me something. 
You better give me something fast. 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Jimmy, you're very young. 
A foolish decision now could wreck your whole life! 
In ten years you won't know it happened. 



STARK :
Dad, answer her. 
Tell her. 

MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Ten years. 


STARK :
Dad, let me hear you answer her. 
Dad, Stand Up for Me. 
Stand Up! 



MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
You'll kill him! 
You're killing him! 
You want to kill Your Own Father? 

PINNY :
See how they brought us in like that? 


STARK :
Let go of me! 
You want a good crack in the mouth? 


MEDDLESOME RATBAG :
Take it easy, Ed. 
The Boy's on edge. 
Come on. 


PINNY :
He shouldn't talk to me that way. 
After all, I am His Father.

Little Monkey Fitz : East of Eden (1954)


Monterey and Salinas, Ca. —1917

Man has a choice and it's a choice that makes him a Man.

In northern California, the Santa Lucia Mountains, dark and brooding, stand like a wall between the peaceful agricultural town of Salinas and the rough and tumble fishing port of Monterey, fifteen miles away. 

"1917 Monterey, just outside the city limits"






“ So, tell me: About how long have you been feeling depressed? ...”




Okay, we can come back to that later. 

If you are going to undergo psychoanalysis with me, perhaps it might be better if I started, and told you how I go about things. 

I'm not really a •strict• Freudian psychoanalyst, you understand —almost nobody is a strict Freudian these days.... But, that is not to say that the old boy doesn't have his influence. 

It's amazing, you know: Sigmund Freud's scientific credibility was nearly DESTROYED — 

but, right after World War II, his ideas became 
THE MOST WIDELY DISCUSSED IDEAS IN AMERICA. 

Do you know WHY he became so popular....? 


Because he said that it was OKAY to be a pessimist
he proved that if you were unhappy, that it was okay, 
and it wasn't your fault.

And, I can't help noticing that you, personally, don't appear very pessimistic; as a matter of fact, you look rather optimistic. 

TOO MUCH OPTIMISM IS HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE GET DEPRESSED : 

They THINK they can solve the problems of the whole world; all they have to do is get people to act rationally

You put too much faith in the Power of Reason, and you FAIL, just end up making yourself depressed

Sigmund Freud understood that—that down deep, people AREN’T reasonable. 

That is why my old teacher Erich Fromm back in 1970 said that psychoanalysis was really 
"The Science of Human Irrationality." 

Cal Trask :

My Mother... She's not dead and gone to Heaven... is she?


ADAM :
Why do you ask that?

Cal Trask :
She's not dead at all.
She's not buried in The East like you said, either.
She's alive.


ADAM :
What makes you think so?


Cal Trask
I heard from a guy.
          
ADAM :
Who?

Cal Trask
I don't know his name.

He was just passing through.

How come you told Aron and me she died?

ADAM :
I thought it would save you pain.

Cal Trask
Pain?               
If she was still alive, where do you think she'd be?
            
ADAM :
I have no idea. 
She went East.
              
Cal Trask
How do you know?
              
ADAM :
When she left The Ranch we lived on when you and Aron were born...

I heard she went East.

Cal Trask
What was she like? 
Was she bad?
           
ADAM :
I guess she...
I never really knew what she was like.
She wasn't like Other People.
There was something she seemed to lack.

Kindness, maybe. Conscience.

I never knew what she was after.
                   
Cal Trask
How come she left you?

ADAM :
I never knew that, either.

She was so full of hate.
                   
Cal Trask
Hate for you?


ADAM :
For everything.

You won't tell Aron that she didn't die?

Cal Trask
No.
Must not do anything to hurt Aron.
Where'd you get that scar you got on your shoulder, Father?
                   
ADAM :
I've told you, Cal.
It's an old wound I got in the Indian campaigns.
Why do you ask that now?

Cal Trask
What'd she look like? 
Was she pretty?
                   
ADAM :
She had the most lovely hands.
Like ivory.
She took such good care of them.

Her mother had arthritis.

She was always afraid it would come to her in her hands.

Cal Trask
Talk to me, Father.

I got to know Who I Am.
I got to know Who I'm Like.
I got to know...

Where is She?

ADAM :
I'm telling you, truthfully, Cal.. after she left, I never heard from her.
Cal, wait. I want to talk more with you.
If you leave this room now, we may never be able to talk again.

Aron Trask :
You coming home tonight, Cal?

Cal Trask
What's the difference?
You're Home. 
You're The One He Wants.

Good evening, Cal.

                  
High strung. 
Very high strung.




Tuesday 6 August 2019

The Two Hannibals



It's The Other One.













33     EXT.     STREET IN LOS ANGELES
A young woman's running away from two vampires who are chasing her. 

Angelus steps up to her and puts his arm around her.

YOUNG WOMAN
Help Me.

ANGELUS
It's all right, doll. 
I've got you. Shh.

YOUNG WOMAN
I don't know how to Thank You. 

ANGELUS
(in vamp face, turns to the woman
I do. Scream for me.

YOUNG WOMAN
(screaming) 
Aah!

Angelus goes to bite the woman, but is interrupted when he overhears three other vampires talking in the street. 

VAMPIRE 3
The Slayer? 
You Sure?

VAMPIRE 4
I just got word. 
She's in Town.

Angelus smiles and lets the woman go. 

He goes to a phone booth, dials.

ANGELUS
(to phone
Hi, Dawn. Yeah, it's me
Is Your Sister Home? She is....? 
(hangs up) 

It's The Other One.



“ I regard the two major male archetypes in 20th Century literature as Leopold Bloom and Hannibal Lecter. M.D. Bloom, the perpetual victim, the kind and gentle fellow who finishes last, represented an astonishing breakthrough to new levels of realism in the novel, and also symbolized the view of humanity that hardly anybody could deny c. 1900-1950. History, sociology, economics, psychology et al. confirmed Joyce’s view of Everyman as victim

Bloom, exploited and downtrodden by the Brits for being Irish and rejected by many of the Irish for being Jewish, does indeed epiphanize humanity in the first half of the 20th Century. And he remains a nice guy despite everything that happens... 

Dr Lecter, my candidate for the male archetype of 1951-2000, will never win any Nice Guy awards, I fear, but he symbolizes our age as totally as Bloom symbolized his. 

Hannibal's wit, erudition, insight into others, artistic sensitivity, scientific knowledge etc. make him almost a walking one man encyclopedia of Western Civilization. 

As for his "hobbies" as he calls them — well, according to the World Game Institute, since the end of World War II, in which 60,000,000 human beings were murdered by other human beings, 193, 000,000 more humans have been murdered by other humans in brush wars, revolutions, insurrections etc. 

What better symbol of our age than a serial killer? 

Hell, can you think of any recent U.S. President who doesn't belong in the Serial Killer Hall of Fame? 

And their motives make no more sense, and no less sense, than Dr Lecter's Darwinian one-man effort to rid the planet of those he finds outstandingly loutish and uncouth. ”


"Previous Thoughts" at rawilson.com