“So what do you want to do today?”
“I dunno. I just got up.”
“Yeah, but it’s almost noon.”
“So?”
“I’m just thinking we ought to do something useful.”
“It’s cold out there.”
“Not that bad. Maybe 30 or so.”
“That’s not exactly a heat wave.”
“For February?”
“Okay, man, what is it you want to do?”
“I’m thinking we head down to the State House for the Palestinian demonstration.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me.”
“Which is why I said, “Huh?”
“You feel the same way I do about Israel and the Palestinians.”
“Trudat.”
“Then what’s with the attitude?”
“It’s a fucking waste of time. You walk to the State House in the freezing cold, wave a few banners, listen to the same stuff you been listening to or reading about for ten years, then walk home chilled to the bone.”
“I’d come home knowing I did something.”
“You did shit is what you did.”
“That seems harsh.”
“But it’s true. We got any bread?”
“You finished it last night. There’s eggs. You know what’s happening to the Palestinians. It’s getting pretty close to genocide. Already apartheid.”
“Explain to me how 150 people freezing their asses off changes any of it.”
“A sign of support. A belief that things can actually be different. Look at Egypt.”
“You look at Egypt. It happened because the Egyptian people made it happen, not American protests. You think Israelis are gonna jump up and demand their borders get rolled back to 1967, settlements be torn down, Hamas recognized, and Jerusalem become an International city? I don’t think so.”
“It’s not just 150 people anymore. All sorts of groups are springing up. Jews demanding that Israel stop what they’re doing.”
“A lot of good they do. You want change? The United States got to stomp on Israel’s throat and force ‘em to do what they have to do. And frankly, I ain’t betting rent. Not now, not ever. And where are the damn eggs?”
“Right in front of you. You been holding the refrig open for ten minutes. Serious case of male disease.”
“Got ‘em, thanks. I see two possibilities. One, the Palestinians out-wait the Israelis and let demographics control the situation. Or, the demographics make Israel seriously uncomfortable and they slaughter as many Palestinians as possible.”
“Jeez, that’s a bright shining light. Close the damn refrigerator door, will you?”
“I’m looking for the butter.”
“It’s right in front of you. Now will you close the door?”
“It’s closed, it’s closed. Want some eggs?
“Hell no. You may be right about the future but that’s the future. Now is the time to change it. Not when the massacre begins. So what are you going to do?”
“Eat breakfast and watch the game.”
