Pacifism Copes

Cast:

Pacifism—belief in opposing war and violence

Pragmatism—belief in finding practical solutions to problems

Pacifism Copes

At least the alley was empty.

“Oh my god, I’m going to die from being annoyed…I don’t want to die from being annoyed…I’m so annoyed…”

Pacifism felt like bugs were crawling up his arms. Criticized, yes, and so snake-like were their tongues—

He slammed his head back on the brick wall behind him. He was ready to explode, and even his inner monologue had given out. His thoughts made no sense.

“Bad day?”

His eyes shot open. A waiter from the party had come outside to smoke a cigarette.

He stared at him as if he were the first person Pacifism had ever seen. He noticed the mole on the side of the man’s neck, his right eye, which hung slightly lower than his left and his not unattractively mismatched nostrils.

“I’m a little frustrated right now,” replied Pacifism, surprised by the grit in his throat.

“You’ll be all right,” said the waiter, leaning against the brick wall, “I’m sure you will.”

Uneasy, Pacifism stumbled back into the melee of a social gathering he had previously escaped from. Pragmatism, seeing he was disturbed, laid a placating hand on his upper arm. Mumbling an excuse about the bathroom, Pacifism shirked the hand, avoiding all possible contact.