Man denkt sich nicht mit der psychischen Brechstange in jemanden hinein. - Harlan Ellison

Now he had form and substance. He had become a personality, something they had filtered out of the system many decades ago. But there it was, and there he was, a very definitely imposing personality. In certain circles — middle-class circles — it was thought disgusting. Vulgar ostentation. Anarchistic. Shameful.

Too many of our insanities are tolerated because they are harmless on an individual level — but multiply them by a millionfold and you have a nation that is culturally sick. These things stem from each individual’s conception of himself — which he arbitrarily assumes to be the nature of the world as well. These conceptions are haphazardly picked up during youth — along with all of the other opinions, neuroses, hangups and etceteras common to the human animal.

We walked for some time, and grew to know each other, as best as we'd allow. These are some of the high points. They lack continuity. I don't apologize. I merely pointed it out, adding with some truth, I feel, that most liaisons lack continuity. We find ourselves in odd places at various times, and for a brief span we link our lives to others and then, our time elapsed, we move apart. Through a haze of pain occasionally, usually through a veil of memory that clings, then passes, sometimes as though we have never touched.