Goblins

(Johnny is sitting at the one end of a long room. At the other end is a large, lethal looking device which Edgar Vargas is strapped to)

Johnny: Why are people so...unpleasant?
Edgar: I don't know.
Johnny: (makes his way down the room while speaking) Honestly, it's so difficult to truly care about so many things without first knowing the answers to some of the most fundamental mind ravaging questions! How can one possibly respect the existence of something, people in this case, when that something seems to defy respect? They do such trivial things, and find amusement, even up to "so-called" maturity, in the incessant mistreatment of their own kind.
Edgar: That's a very general statement. Not all people are the way you desribe them to be.
Johnny: Hmm...yes, but keep in mind; it's possible that I'm quite horrendously insane. That's the fuck of it; you know, the old thing about the crazy person who never knows they're crazy. It could just be an imperceptible shifting of accepted realities. It's all really interesting.
Edgar: Yes...yes it is. But I don't suppose that your, um, current reality would allow you to let me go, would it?
Johnny: No. I don't think so.
Edgar: I see. Well, could you, at least, loosen these restraints some? This hurts quite a bit. Very painful.
Johnny: Think of the sensation as reassurance that you are not dead yet.What you are feeling is life in you! I would hate to lessen that for you. I will take you from one extreme to the other. I would never deprive you of this; your final awareness. (author note-He's got that look.)
Edgar: That's very nice of you.
Edgar: Could you tell me what it was, exactly, that I did to you? What I said? I mean, up until I awoke here, I've never met you. It's one of those nagging questions a person gets before being torn apart by, um, whatever this thing is.
Johnny: (thoughtful) Mmm...what did you do? You know, I can't really say. Nothing, I guess.
Johnny: (pointing at him) But you are a person, and I can't say I'm fond of that. My days are less enjoyable because of people.You will be the effigy I burn, enfused with all the traits that make them the destable little goblins they are. You won't really burn though: ripped to strips is more accurate.
Edgar: But you're a person. Why don't you kill yourself?
Johnny: Trust me, I know what self-loathing is, but to kill myself? That would put a damper on my search for answers. Not at all productive. Besides, I've become increasingly doubtful as to whether or not I can die at all, but let's not get into that.
Edgar: Okayyy. What if I'm not like all those goblin people? You just randomely picked me out, when you could have taken someone more deserving. You could've picked one of those street performers who impersonate robots and make that irritating wheezy whistle noise.
Johnny: (apologetic look) I thought of that, but I wasn't in the mood to go look for one: I just wanted to get back home. I probably could have done better because you do seem like a nice person. I'm sorry.
Edgar: (smiling) Thank you, that's very kind. By the way, my name's Edgar. Edgar Vargas.
Johnny: (bows) Pleased to meet you, Edgar. I am Johnny C., but seeing as how we are sharing this intimate moment and all, you can call me "Nny."
Edgar: (still smiling) Is what with a "k", as in "knee cap"?
Johnny: (smiling with his hands behind his head) No, but it's pronounced the same.
Edgar: (smiling, looking hopeful) Ok, well then! Does this mean I can go now? Because, and I mean no offense by this, I would like to go.
Johnny: (looking down, again apologetic) Oh...oh, no, I'm still going to kill you. Though you are my bestest, bestest friend in the room, currently, dire circumstances require me to end your life. I haven't the time to find anyone else, and I really need more blood.
Edgar: Blood? You need my blood?
Johnny: (kneeling near the grate under Edgar) Not yours specifically, but, yes, I do need some blood. Not for myself, no; I'm not particularly fond of any bodily fluid...
Johnny: (looks up) There is a wall in a room on one of the upper levels. You're underground right now; I found these lower rooms when I came here, as well as more devices like the one you're in. But anyhow, if I don't keep "painting" the wall, it goes soft. And something from the other side begins to push through. My curiousity is not so much that I would find out what that "thing" is, so, you see, I can't wait any longer.
Edgar: I ask you once again, to please reconsider this. You can let me go. And I...
Johnny: (screaming, holding his hands to his head) NO! NO! NO! Stop it!! Just shut up!! I have no choice! Save your noise for later!!
Edgar: (looking down) I see.
Johnny: (suspiciously angry, glaring at Edgar) You know, you're not exactly reacting the way I'd expect a person in your situation to react! Death usually has a much more profound impact on a person. Where is your fear!
Edgar: I would rather not die, but I don't seem to have much say in the matter. But I'm also not like you; I'm not clouded. I have no family, no friends, really; nothing. But I do have faith; you know, God and all that. A heaven for me, and a hell for you. So fuck fear.
Edgar: (looking up) I have nothing to fear.
Johnny: (stares at him in confusion)
Johnny: (glaring) I envy your conviction.
(Edgar is torn apart, his broken glasses falling to the ground. Johnny stares up towards him, then downwards.)
Johnny: (walking away) Well, that did nothing for me.

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