"Yeah, right. I wanted to be the old man who chases kids off his lawn with his cane. Heck, in today's world they'd come and arrest me for attempted assault for being an awesome Curmudgeon."
"I can see that you're really mad about all this. Have you talked to someone about how you've been feeling?"
"You mean a shrink? Unfortunately, yes. He offered me a 'medication' that would help me feel better. Didn't they call it Soma in 'Brave New World'? So I called him a Big Pharma pusher and stormed out."
A sigh. "Yup, the times they are a'changin'. Looks like we've landed in mid-century British sci-fi dystopia, haven't we?"
Cur shook his head. "I keep thinking of that scene in Metropolis, the 20's film, where the elites look down on the sea of herded faceless marching workers. of our population is already in Hades. After the Repug tax bill passes, the remains of the middle class will be sliding down that ramp. And, we won't only be controlled for work and food, but we will be expected to be emotionless cogs in the capitalist corporate wheel. Wouldn't it make even the gentlest sheep rage?!"
"Well, don't worry. Big Marijuana will come to the rescue. Either that, or the Private Prison Industry."
"That's what I'm afraid of. I'm a son of the sixties. And I watched peace, love, and harmony be co-opted and corrupted over the last few decades. There's not a day any more that I don't feel manipulated, ignored, dissed, medicated, and abused myself. And scared. Because I can't live in this Animal Farm. With all the chattering chickens keeping me in line."
"Got a dollar?" A homeless man had shuffled over to our table.
"Here, take five," Curmudgeon said, pulling a bill out of his pocket. "Lucky stiff." After the man's requisite "bless you", Cur turned back to me with a downcast expression. "Bless me. Curse the elite bastards." He sighed. "I guess I should go meditate for a while to relax."
"I think I will too. Do you have a good mantra to share?"
"Yup. I close my eyes, visualize my youth in the mid-sixties and repeat, 'Sex, Drugs, and Rock'n Roll'."
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