Issue 20, Page 31
Transcript
1: Rhoda is suddenly sitting next to Julia, who has sat up in surprise.
Rhoda: This is where someone usually reminds you that you don’t have to handle all that alone.
That you’ve got friends, loved ones, family… to all help share that burden.
2: Rhoda, talking, leans forward with a slight smile.
Rhoda: But they can’t.
It’s all you. It’s always been you.
3: Rhoda continues her metaphysical pep-talk.
Rhoda: You brought us together. You sought out mysteries and discovered secrets.
You’ve lived with yourself and overcame everything so far. You’re still here and alive.
4: Julia looks fearful and sad.
Julia: But I’m not me. I’m not anyone.
Aren’t we all just… that thing?
5: The two friends sit and talk in the strange void.
Rhoda: Yeah… we are.
I can see it now… our roots run deep. We’re all just… extensions of this thing.
But what does that really change?
If we weren’t what we are, you’d still be exactly the same. You’re a collection of memories, your memories, Julia. You are a perspective, a personality, molded and shaped by a lifetime of experiences.
Maybe we’re all part of some great, disgusting thing… but none of the rest of us exist. Not in your mind anyway. We are just your memories of us. We are how you observe us, nothing more.
You’re the center of your own universe. You are the god of your own realm. That’s always the case, it doesn’t matter where we came from.
This ego stroking is disgusting. That is my opinion. Take it or leave it.
It’s not ego stroking, it’s true in real life as well. Your perspective and experiences are the only thing you can EVER be totally sure of. How much other people and events matter to you is ultimately your choice, because you can only ever know them for how they’re presented to you.
Ego stroking? How so?
… Huh… No plus 1 for teamwork on team mortal then. Alright.
I uh… I’m getting the feeling that Julia won’t be as happy to see Mel, as I was hoping she would be… Is this one of those catches in the fine print moments?…
Well. That’s a shift in perspective …but I guess that it makes sense when you consider what Julia and Rhoda both learned. Oh, and well, Rhoda just gave her soul to a demon of sorts. A demon that is -hanging its branches over them-
So yeah, I’d be probably depressed over the view of the world myself at this point. But there’s one little problem …
Why would Rhoda have sacrificed her soul to a demon to try to save Julia with so little … conviction or rather…so little motivation? Its starting to sound more like Plot Armor ™ then anything … Opinions people?
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by lack of conviction/motivation. She explains her motivations to the demon pretty well: she feels partially responsible for Julia’s position because she could have acted sooner to save Julia. Is she ACTUALLY responsible for any of this? Not really, but that’s how Rhoda sees it, and so she’s acting on that perception. Not to mention Mel all but said, “it’s YOUR fault our friend is still in danger because you won’t use the knowledge I KNOW you have!” She was just lashing out, but her implication hit its mark.
Existentialism meets optimistic solipsism.
That….that’s kind of wonderful.
“No one can help you. You must face the Gazebo alone.”