COWBOY BEBOP
Solemn Blues
JOURNAL ENTRY #371-23
Reality…she's a cruel mistress. One moment, she's holding us tenderly in her arms, protecting us from the horrors that often surround. Then, suddenly, she drops us into a dark abyss - frightened, alone and with no one to hear us scream. Engulfed by the blackness, we adapt, which is why, as we grow older, we often become bitter and cruel. However, every now and then, Reality shows a hint of that old kindness, helping us along the road we each walk. We meet people. Some cast aside like ourselves; others that somehow know nothing of life's tribulations. They give us a spark, a ray of hope…but, as mentioned before, Reality is a cruel mistress, and she often likes to take those we cherish away.
So, what would be the point in expecting any kindness from Reality? Why, when a good thing comes along, should we treasure it if it'll only end up being shattered later on? How about just living in the past, remembering what was good as if it's still there, rather than opening ourselves up for another knife to the heart?
We all experience betrayal, loss, jealousy, vengeance, hatred, love…it's natural. We all possess the same chemicals in our brain, right? Maybe it's this knowledge that, deep down, we're all the same that makes us long for companionship. Friends. Family. We all lose people, too. Hundreds….thousands…millions are lost every day, and we treat each one like it's the end of our world.
That is, unless, you're turned cold. Sometimes, Reality doesn't show that old kindness. Sometimes, a person can be left alone in the dark all their life, or just long enough to go bad. Sometimes, people will do whatever it takes to survive. When caught in a trap, a wolf would sooner chew off it's own leg to escape than allow itself to simply die. So, what's wrong with humans surrendering a part of themselves, also?
I won't go into the details, as I'm not too sure of them myself, but I once knew a man that did just that. He became a demon, of sorts. Blood like venom ran through his veins, poisoning his body, his mind…even his soul. The last time that I saw him was over a year ago, and he went off to do some dumb thing for whatever reason.
I like to think that his reason was that he hoped to get back whatever part of himself he lost so long ago.
Maybe I'm just becoming more sentimental as I age…
-Jet Black,
Captain of the Bebop & Bounty Hunter