naturally

the devil — hey, you’re having a pretty shitty day, huh?
me — yeah, i didn’t go to work i’m so sick. i never do that.
the devil — that’s pretty lousy.
me — yup.
the devil — class starts next week, right?
me — yeah…
the devil — don’t give me that look, i’m just asking. what are you taking?
me — look, no offense, but i don’t really want to talk about that.
the devil — because you don’t like me, or because you just don’t want to?
me — the second one.
the devil — or because you don’t think you’re really ready to go back to school? that you’re not cut out for it, that you’re not up to the task, not dedicated enough?
me — oh don’t start, please.
the devil — i mean, look at you. you spent the last four, no, make that FIVE years doing jack and shit. you don’t have any savings, you haven’t produced any comics, despite that being your intention when you dropped out of school. do you really have the dedication to do ANYTHING with your life?
me — look, i’m nervous about it but if i apply myself i can do it. or not, ultimately if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. if i can find a job i don’t hate and stick with it for a few years, i can try doing some comics in my spare time, and either save up for art school, or just work up some kind of bootleg portfolio or something. there’s more paths than college, they’re just more of a pain in the ass in some ways.
the devil — you really think that could work?
me — it’s worth a shot.
the devil — well, anyways, looks like you just broke your glasses.
me — what? oh, goddamnit!
the devil — and your spares are like five years old, so they don’t fit, they don’t focus right, and they’ve got that awful yellowish cast to the lenses that you hate so much so even if they DID fit you wouldn’t want to wear them. technically, you’re still under insurance and could probably get a new pair. but they stopped making that type. you had the last pair, and well, there they go.
me — maybe i could glue them back together, the lens snapped cleanly…
the devil — will that hold, or will it just break at that seam again, and again, and again?
me — have to try it and find out. and add a new pair of glasses into my ever dwindling budget…
the devil — class starts on monday, see you there.
me — i fucking hate you.