Emma Grasping The Reins

Part 4: Sword Fight

It was a peaceful Saturday morning. Outside the sun sparred with the clouds with neither of them seeming to gain the upper hand. My mother had gone off to volunteer at one of the local charities leaving my brother and I at the mercy of our boredom. The two of us sat idly in the living room occasionally glancing over at one another to see if the other had something to say.

"Aren't you going out with your friends today?" I asked him breaking the silence.

Jonathan shrugged. "In due time. It's the time in between that irks me" he replied.

"Why don't you read a book to pass the time?"

"I've already read one this week."

"So read another."

"It's not good to read too many books. I only want to be informed, not scholarly."

"God forbid."

"People appreciate cleverness, but brilliance makes them uncomfortable."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't think you need to worry about making anyone uncomfortable with your brilliance."

"Be that as it may, I must stick to my convictions or lose them."

"What book did you read?" I asked curiously.

"The Art of War" he replied wide eyed as if he'd accomplished something impressive.

"I've never gotten around to that one."

"You should. In a way, we're always at war in one way or another."

"How are we always at war?" I asked straightening up.

"Everything in life provides an opportunity to be better or worse than everyone else, and competition is much like battle" he said.

"I see you've given this a lot of thought."

"Engage people when they least expect it. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment- that which they cannot anticipate...Let that swim around in your mind for a bit."

"I'll be sure to" I said. I paused for a moment staring intently at my brother. He returned my stare as if we were on the verge of a standoff. "So what are you plans for later?" I finally asked.

"They are indecisive" he replied. "Marie wants to do something just the two of us, so I took the liberty of inviting a few others."

I chuckled. "Why would you do that? Don't you want her to be happy?" I asked.

"Yes, but not completely. You don't get it. A girl says, even believes she wants contentment, but if you know anything about them, you know that just isn't so."

"I wonder. Why is it not so?"

"Because if they were ever really 'content' they'd quickly grow bored of it. It's pure naivety. Therefore, it's imperative to occasionally provide them with some disappointment. As soon as you are predictable, you've fallen in their estimation, and they don't even know why."

"You've gone mad" I said laughing.

"It's basic psychology" he said. "Take your situation with Emma for example. She knows she has you in the palm of her hand, which is why she'll never give back to you. She doesn't need to."