Discipline is not something that came readily to Leland. Self Disciple was easy enough for him to avoid, but Imposed Disciple really pissed him off. It got his juices flowing again, like a valve stem blowing out…got his anger up, and that was not only not good, it could prove to be very destructive. Explosive.
“If you hang up on me I will…”
“You will do nothing but harm to yourself.”
“You know me that well you think.”
“I know the sight of your fist in face. I know the feel of bone shattering. I know the pain and disfigurement.”
“What disfigurement?”
“You forget what my nose looked like we first met? Go back and look at the bumper-car pictures if you still got one.”
“I…”
“You tore them up in a fit of fury, didn’t you?”
“Burnt them up…used them to start the trailer.”
“Well, there you go. Now you are stupid and homeless. Not an unrare combination, I suppose.”
“Do you have someplace?”
“I have a very good place, which you will never see.”
“Wasn’t asking for that reason. Just wanted to be sure we did not share the same fate. It’s humbling.”
“Something you never got around to before. How’s that feeling?”
“Pisses me off.”
“Then you have not yet been properly humbled. Wait ‘til you give up the fight – that’s humble. But enjoy the taste. It only gets more bitter, and a taste I’m tasting right now.”
“So you still hating me?”
“ No, more like stomach acid…”
“Emotions have nothing to do with it?”
“Not a thing. And no pill to put it to rest.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Makes no difference.”
“You have a good day tomorrow.”
“If I don’t die.”
