Smoke billowed in the tiny office as the figure in the shadows leaned forward. His voice was like gravel. It was as if he was chewing and spitting out his words. The radiance of the high-noon sun sneaked in through the cracks of the slanted blinds, making strange and elaborate shadows that danced like puppets in the back of the room.
The young man squirmed like a suffocating fish in his chair. He had always wanted to bury himself with this mystery, with this danger, but it was too much for his young soul. He wanted to say something but his mouth was snapped shut, choking on his own fear. He understood what was going on; he knew. He wasn't an idiot like his brother.
"Nothing to say, huh?" the figure asked. "That's smart. No one likes a talker. Everyone wants to be Coolhand. But they talk too much. He never did unless he had to."
"Thank you, sir."
"Goddamn, you sound so young. I'd hate to've sent ya to the streets so young, but we have no choice. We ain't got a future; it's closed shut. We can only hope to scream with the sinking of the ship."
He gave the young man a speech about the old days, about men and women who cared about each other and the world, and they knew -- they knew about the world. Now, he said, it's a bunch of goddamn idiots acting with no real action, not to mention the copycats who should be wiped clean off the planet. No one cares anymore. Things have changed: there are less people then there has been since the beginning, and the quality has dissipated. There are some, and there is hope, however. That's the only thing that keeps the veterans from leaving, other than the bastard love of nostalgia and obstinacy.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Huh?"
"Ya gotta have a name. Hell, my aliases are registered and well-known."
The young man muttered under his breath.
"What? Speak up."
"kperspon..."
"I don't wanna know how the hell you can even spell that." The figure leaned back in his chair and stretched his long arms, revealing his long frame that was hidden by the desk. "You can start as soon as possible. You'll do well for us, I can assure you. We do have a future with a few other kids; you'll see."