It's a hot summer day in Florida.
It's always hot. I hate dedust and heat of Florida.
She walks into my office. Directly up to my counter, and strikes up a conversation.
She looks tired.
She'd been running around the community, avoiding the Mods.
I take a drag from the cigar.
It, held in my hand by my lifted index finger, my thumb leveraging the cigar, and my clutched middle finger.
The Mods... A vicious group of talented hackers and moderators, that have run the community.
Some benefit, others don't.
I exhale.
This community has been spiraling for a while.
We used to have a proud population of nearly 70 thousand.
Now a days, we are lucky if we can get 20 thousand people in the community.
Most moved away from this cold place to a bright and warm Global world.
I take a second drag.
What is it?
I ask.
She tells me she wants to leave this place.
She says that even though she loves this place.
The air flows out of me.
I sigh.
I tell her, I was late here, I never saw what this community was like in it's heyday.
I admit.
There's only two reasons most people stay here.
Nothing but the bare bones of this community is original at this point.
I shift in my desk.
She begins to weep.
I take a drag of my cigar.
I admit to her the secret.
I pause and exhale.
Why anyone comes around these parts anymore.
Her eyes light up.
She says she has to know.
The poor.
Those who can't afford the Global world.
Riddled by capitalism's cruel nature.
And.
Her breath taken aback with anticipation.
Gary.
She gasps.
It's always been Gary.
Gary is at the heart of this city, and all who want to know Gary, must pass through here.
I take one last drag.
And toss the cigar into the ashtray.
I say as I reveal my suitcase.
Gary is enough for most people.
They'll stick through the crap in hopes of finding something in themselves with Gary.
It's enough for most people.
But it's not enough for me.
I walk to the door.
I'm leaving this town, I say.
And unless you're staying.
Well.
There's nothing more for me to come back to.
She pauses, then turns to me......

[h1] I Light my Cigar [/h1] It's a hot summer day in Florida. It's always hot. I hate dedust and heat of Florida. She walks into my office. Directly up to my counter, and strikes up a conversation. She looks tired. She'd been running around the community, avoiding the Mods. I take a drag from the cigar. It, held in my hand by my lifted index finger, my thumb leveraging the cigar, and my clutched middle finger. The Mods... A vicious group of talented hackers and moderators, that have run the community. Some benefit, others don't. I exhale. This community has been spiraling for a while. We used to have a proud population of nearly 70 thousand. Now a days, we are lucky if we can get 20 thousand people in the community. Most moved away from this cold place to a bright and warm Global world. I take a second drag. What is it? I ask. She tells me she wants to leave this place. She says that even though she loves this place. The air flows out of me. [h1] There's Nothing Left Here for me [/h1] I sigh. I tell her, I was late here, I never saw what this community was like in it's heyday. I admit. There's only two reasons most people stay here. Nothing but the bare bones of this community is original at this point. I shift in my desk. She begins to weep. I take a drag of my cigar. I admit to her the secret. [h1]There's Only Two Reasons .....[/h1] I pause and exhale. Why anyone comes around these parts anymore. Her eyes light up. She says she has to know. The poor. Those who can't afford the Global world. Riddled by capitalism's cruel nature. And. Her breath taken aback with anticipation. Gary. She gasps. It's always been Gary. Gary is at the heart of this city, and all who want to know Gary, must pass through here. I take one last drag. And toss the cigar into the ashtray. [h1]I'll Save you the Boring Details [/h1] I say as I reveal my suitcase. Gary is enough for most people. They'll stick through the crap in hopes of finding something in themselves with Gary. It's enough for most people. But it's not enough for me. I walk to the door. I'm leaving this town, I say. And unless you're staying. Well. There's nothing more for me to come back to. She pauses, then turns to me......