text; this is how I help people

[restingstitchface]

Did I ever tell you what the hardest part of going straight is?

Trying to remain on the right side of the law when every single person around you wants you to keep breaking it. All those sayings you pontificate on. "He's bound to have done something." "Once a criminal, always a criminal." "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." If I were to say I have served my time, what would you say? Think about it.

Better yet, why don't we widen our net? I've spoken to Mick Rory about this. And he is so a man we can admit is a nicer individual than I. We talk about a great deal, the two of us, and let me tell you; having his past smeared across his face time after time, years after the crime, is more discouraging than he can articulate. This is the cheerless truth he's kept from you; it's a rare thing he's found someone who genuinely wants him to succeed.

Well, I'm sure he'd say this to you were you to ask politely, anyway.

I just don't think it's very conceivable you'll let him move on. Let's face it, you're punished once in prison, and then over and over again for the remainder of your life. Except Mick's getting a bit long in the tooth for it now, if you ask me. He might just snap or beat someone. Or set their lawn on fire, I think? On the bright side, maybe he'll just rob a bank.

I'm serious. You just can't let him live in peace, can you? You're gunning for him to mess it up. You're throwing out all the signals. It's pretty obvious. How do I know? I've seen it before.

Comments

text

[catchacold]

I haven't gone straight.

[restingstitchface]

You know, Leonard, have you ever considered that indirectly admitting to criminal activity in a public forum might not be the smartest idea?

[catchacold]

I have it printed on business cards and no one's come for me for anything other than business reasons, so.

No.

Have you ever considered that you shouldn't talk about Mick in that way without Mick giving his okay?

[restingstitchface]

Well, obviously! But when people approach me in general to discuss matters of the heart, well, they kind of know what they're getting themselves into, don't they?

[catchacold]

Following that logic you should know what you get yourself into putting his matters of the heart out in the open like this.

[restingstitchface]

Why, yes, I do. I also think you'd be much happier trying to understand my strand of logic in this case than superimposing your own. I thought this was the best situation to rectify the problem.

[catchacold]

Honestly, it's just a conclusion of your logic taking into account the different relationships and personalities involved and their personal limits, but since that line of reasoning seems to be too hard to follow:

Back off my man.

[restingstitchface]

God, I hate threats. They're always so gauche. Has it ever actually occured to you I might be trying to help?

[catchacold]

Don't really care what you think you're trying to do. It ain't helping Mick, so leave him out of it.

[restingstitchface]

The whole point of exposing people's problems is to remedy them numb to the source, Leonard; there is no intention to cause any danger. I am surprised that you are unclear on this concept.

[catchacold]

One day I really need to find out what kind of hack school you learned psychology at, doc.

Are you familiar with the concept of consequences?

[restingstitchface]

Well, I would think that's pretty obvious?

[A little familiarity in one way, none in another. There weren't any consequences here for him to fear. It's the case that it's a significant problem but he really doesn't care to discuss it.]

[catchacold]

You have no idea how lucky you are that Mick Rory is a good man who has himself under control, because otherwise I'd not be trying to live up to his standards.

If you start feeling chilly, I guess we know how that went.

[restingstitchface]

I guess so.

Oh well then, can't blame a man for trying, so they say.

[catchacold]

We'll see.

[restingstitchface]

Oh well then, I guess you'll forgive me for later saying "I told you so".

[catchacold]

Honestly, unless you are dragging Mick, I don't care much what you say one way or another, so. Probably.

[restingstitchface]

Oh, good. I'll remember that.