i'll take a moment to say, that's not something i claim to understand. It's not something i feel; i'm a slow wick. The life drains out of me when the subject that's makin' me angry is human. Like a circuit breaker trips and cuts all emotion until the moment passes. Later, i'll be functionally psychopathic: stabbing tupperware and making death threats to Rottweilers but at The Moment, the moment of contact, during the incident, when the source of my fury is there furiously making fury, nothing, bupkiss, nobody home. Can't explain it, but there it is.
Duke is different.
So's the Hugh. (Names have been nicked so that people can feel free to make stupid in their anonymity.)
The Hugh made a demand. It doesn't matter what it was, it was something he needed. Most people would call it a favor. Bosses call it your job. Nothing major, i didn't like it but i went along cause the Hugh is my boss. That's what i do. No big deal.
Duke is different. The Duke thought it was a big deal. The Duke was no happy. No happy a'tall. But he held it in. He had nothing to say to the Hugh when he showed up but for the Duke, that's progress. i know the Duke wanted to rant and rave and defend his viewpoint. i know the Duke thought it was unfair and would normally have told everyone within earshot. But he was biting his tongue and going along with it. i didn't like his 'tude but hey, he's my friend. That's what i do. No big deal.
The Hugh is different. The Hugh felt betrayed. The Hugh felt that he was the one making all the concessions and this was the thanks he got. He needed something done and he got 'tude.
"The stage was set, the sun was sinking low down,
as they came to town to face... another show down.
The lawmen cleared the people from the streets,
"All you bloodthirsty bystanders, won't you try to find your seats..."*
When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, i was short one partner and the company's primary team, the only consistent team the Hugh has had in the three years i've worked for him, was gutted. Cut in half. And the Hugh was trying on rationalizations to see if any made his butthead look big.
Either man could have backed down. Either man could have admitted he was wrong or at least took the time to see the other's side. Either man could have been the bigger man by putting the other man's needs or wants ahead of his own.
But the Hugh and the Duke are different.
And i wonder how proud they're feeling now?
*The Eagles, Doolin and Dalton/ Desperado Reprised
