Member
As we left "Rizzo's" Ellen looked as though she would jump out of her skin. Her enthusiasm is certainly commendable but she has got to realize that this is not going to be as easy as it looks. There's a difference between being a part of the revolution and being IN the revolution. Just from what I know about Ellen she is not just going to want to be a part of it either, but she is going to want to be IN it. Time for her and I to have a talk.
I led us over to the park in the wasteland. It's far from the pristine park that we first began talking at. The basketball rims have no nets, the playground equipment is about 30 years past it's safety standards, and this is the kind of place that I would only send my officers if they had full riot gear on and they had told their loved ones they loved them one last time. However this is also one of the safest places to talk without prying eyes and ears. I stopped off and got us each a soda and motioned for us to have seat at a nearby bench.
We sat down and I gave Ellen her soda. I said, "Your enthusiasm is commendable, but you need to tone it down. Right now you look as though you're about to burst out of your skin. Being in the revolution is a long hard road, and there is a better than average chance we will either be killed, captured slash re-educated, or die and this war will still be going on Ellen. However we don't do this for ourselves or to satisfy some primal blood lust against those who we feel have wronged others. If you want to do that just go buy a gun and take out the first group you see."
I looked over at Ellen and I took a drink. I nodded and said, "You have heart and that is one of the most powerful assets you have Ellen. You have a great willing spirit and that too is a great asset, but you also have to use your mind as well. Think things through, see the big picture, and learn when to act within the concept of a unique family. That is only going to come with experience and time."
I took a large drink and said, "Be patient, earn the trust of the others, and don't be too hard on yourself. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you in terms of learning what it means to be in all of this."
Ellen looked at me and took a drink. She nodded and said, "Thank you Martin. It was a nice blend of being brutally honest and uplifting at the same time."
I smiled back at her and said, "It's something we learn when we become a Prefect."
Ellen chuckled and I said, "I need to get back to work. I'll walk you back to work."
________________________________________________________________________________
Martin offered to walk me back to work, but I shook my head said, "Thanks but I'll be all-right here. I think I just want to sit here and take in what I'm seeing right now. Get a feel and a sense of focus for what lies ahead. I'll be all-right."
I looked up at Martin and asked, "Did what I say make any sense to you?"
Martin looked at me and replied, "Strangely enough it did. You have a unique way with language Ellen."
I smiled and said, "It comes with working in the propaganda division. Thanks for the soda and the talk Martin."
Martin nodded and replied with a chuckle, "You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow night."
I watched Martin walk away and then began to turn my attention to what I was seeing around me. As I walked around I was actually amazed at what I saw going on. I saw people who were trying to make their way through life on terms that are less than ideal, but they keep on trying. I watched as parents came home from work to be greeted by their children, children who played together and did so without fear of what their parents thought, people treat their animals as though they were part of the family not just some sort of status symbol.
What I saw happening around me was...life. People wanting to live and who grateful for what they had. Then like a thunderbolt it hit me. I know why the revolution does the actions that it does, and there was actually a great deal of truth to what Martin said. The bottom line was that the revolution fought so that this next generation might have the opportunity to live in a world where life like I was seeing it could be shared by all on equal terms.
I walked back to my office with a sense of focus balanced by my still fresh enthusiasm looking forward to tomorrow night.
