13
Director smiled. "How rude."
"Tickling is never rude when it is appreciated," said Pirate.
"Nothing is ever rude when it is appreciated," said Student, recovering his breath.
"Then let us find appreciative friends!"
"Perhaps that is another quality the beautiful seek out in their non-beautiful friends."
"I'm certain it is."
"Do you think if others were to see such appreciated behavior among the beautiful and their friends they would take offense, thinking them to be rude?"
"I am certain they would."
"So it doesn't do to tickle in public."
"No, it doesn't do."
"And what about the rudeness we talked about before, that toward the one who needs the awakening, the one who is more than polite? Is it the case that it is not really rudeness but a situation in which the one in question does not yet know how to appreciate that which is directed toward him from his friends?"
"I think you're on to something, Student."
"Yes," said Director, "but the one directing behavior toward the one in question is pretty sure the behavior will be taken as rude, though the intent was more complicated than that."
"It's a pity," said Student.
"It is a pity," said Pirate and Director together.
-------
Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
Comments