The Disillusionists. cont'd...

"You guys are serious right?"

Mike looked at me like I was some kind of idiot. Sure, I could take all four of them but it was a helluva long walk home. There was a bit of a stare-down going on until May spoke up again and Mikey looked away.

"We carry no name, no title. We are ourselves and our only entitlement is our self."

Jay stood up and took the podium, "Let me help to clarify the situation... We are all well aware of the power and influence of large corporations and to a lesser extent, government, control over our lives. This is not a matter for debate or, for that matter, discussion... It leads to disillusionment and paranoia - exactly where they want us to be and I, for one, am not going to be there." Jay took a sip of wine and sloshed it around in his mouth as he looked at me, "I have found that the only way to reveal beauty is to sculpt it. Remove what is not beautiful. Do you know what I mean? Reveal what is beautiful."

These people are insane. I took a deep breath and sank further into the chair. Why had May dragged me into this the crazy bitch. She just stood there smiling at me. They were all smiling at me. I'm gonna freak out here in a second if they don't stop fuckin' smiling at me.

"Did you know that the level of childhood obesity is the highest in the history of the United States?" Mike leaned down to the chair, "That's as good a place as any to start."

Start what? I'll fuckin' start something motherfucker, I thought. I could feel the blood draining from my face, not a good sign. Mike pointed at the television and continued, "Are we revolutionaries? No. I'd like to think we are absolutely normal and it's the goddamn royal family we should be worried about."

Huh?

"Just look at Harry, he's the one to watch... Father is not Charles, mother murdered, so give the guy a break. He fuck's around a bit and gets stuck in the military where he'll never see action because they can't risk it but they will never admit Diana cheated. Cheated on who? She was groomed from the beginning to mother an heir and they fucked it up completely. I say watch this kid, not his brother, who was born first and oh yeah, he's Charles kid but look at Harry and you can tell he's not."

"Okay, well it was nice meetin' ya..." I got up out of the chair and they were at least smart enough to get out of my way.

"Why don't we go get something to eat?" Mike blurted.

I stood for a second and considered my options. I could try hitching home but it might still be raining and it would be a pain in the ass anyway. I could at least get a ride back into town with these losers and bolt at the first opportunity or... I was getting a little hungry and I could run up a huge tab at buddy's expense so...

"I don't know, you guys take up a lot of energy."

They all laughed like hyenas at a kill. There was a sudden silence between songs on the stereo and we were all left hanging there for a second. I guess that was the moment when everything changed.