"Yeah, I know, I've been getting into some trouble in school and at home but one thing you should know about me is that I never lie. You'll get the whole truth from me, the whole story. Sometimes it's truth people don't want to hear like my father who is a way too strict hardass. Sometimes it's about how boring a class is and that makes the teachers mad. With girls, I only tell the good truths. I don't like to hurt their feelings. I really care about people. I have a lot of friends. Unfortunately most of them get into a lot of trouble doing awful things to themselves and each other. I try to stay away from the the bad things they do, though at times it's unavoidable. I'm basically a likable guy and would really enjoy getting out of school early once a week for psychotherapy."
"OK, so let's get your father in and arrange it with him."
Dad enters.
"The most important thing that you need to know about working with my son is that he is a complete pathological liar."
2 comments:
Like the conundrum of the islanders, one of whom always tells the truth and the other of whom always lies. How do you know which is which without following them around 24x7 for weeks at a time?
Although given just those two examples above, I'm inclined to believe Pinnochio more than Gepetto. There's probably a logical fallacy (maybe there's even a DSM entry for it?), in which one tends to trust nuances rather than dichotomies; if so, color me guilty. The son's reply is eminently level-headed and fair, not excusing himself; the father's is so far from excuse or apology or fairness that I instinctively want to write him out of the story.
I love that: trusting nuances rather than dichotomies. It's true. Dichotomies are rigid, leave no room for doubt or change. Nuances are so much more profound and insightful. I agree with you about the characters of this story.
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