Dear Journal,Oct. 18, 3173
I realize that Faber might be very hostile towards me and might try to confuse me with questions, but I prepared to face him anyway. If he asks me why a fireman of all people would want to save books, I have an answer: Mildred. I miss who she used to be. Where is the Mildred of old, the woman I truly love who truly loves me back? I've always wondered what's missing in my life. It might be books, but one thing is certain: Millie's love is missing in my life. Can books bring her back to me? I hope so, because if books aren't the answer, I don't know what is.
Dear Journal,Oct. 19, 3173
When I first met Faber, he seemed like a mean man. In reality, he's just a little paranoid and scared. The government and the fear of getting caught is what's holding him back. Anyone who took enough time to get to know him would realize that he really loves books. It wouldn't matter if was a bible, a children's book, or a baby book; it's precious treasure to Faber. If you look beyond the scared surface and the book-loving middle, if you peered into the deep core of Faber's soul, you would see a man who cares about other people and wants to help them with their struggles. Like Clarisse, he's a person who listens and actually cares about me. Is this what thinking does to a man?
Dear Journal,Oct. 20, 3173
Faber and I have had more time to talk. In this time, we've figured out how society got to be the way it is. It turns out that a person requires three things just to have faith in anything. We need good information, time to read it and think about it, and the freedom and will to act upon our belief. No wonder why people stopped reading books and stopped thinking for themselves! Everything in our society has to be fast so people decided that thinking for yourself takes too long. Reading is only one of the three steps so of course people thought it's time consuming and not worth the trouble. Did anyone ever stop and consider that maybe taking those three steps is worth it? We have to show the world that it is worth it.
Dear Journal,Oct. 21, 3173
Yesterday, Faber and I came up with a way to stop all the book burnings. We're going to break the system from the inside out. Faber was a little uneasy about the plan, but that's because he's scared and I can't blame him. I'm not sure I'd would talk to a fireman, former or not, about books. Now I feel bad for tearing the bible apart. Watching even one page being ripped out was pure torture for him. Well, the plan had been put into action. Soon every fireman will have a book in his house and the system will slowly crumble. We've got to stay strong, there's no turning back.
Dear Journal,Oct. 22, 3173
My life and my family really depress me. Why can't my wife, the love of my life listen to me and trust me? Mildred, do you love me anymore, do you care about how I feel? I'd rip this entry out and give it to her but even then she wouldn't see the agony she's put me through. She just makes me so angry, but her friends are even worse. Why can't they just open their eyes a little? They call me a horrible man, but did they ever stop to think about their own actions? No, they didn't! All they want is whatever is fastest and painless. They're following the downward spiral of fools.
Dear Journal,Oct. 22, 3173
This just has to be the worst day of my life. First have to deal with Millie and her friends. Like I said before, they're following the fools. What's worse is I come back to work and I find Captain Beatty ready to torture my mind with yet another speech. He knows I'm not really "cured" from my "sickness". If Faber voice wasn't in my head I'd probably explode and go on a rampage. Worst of all, I found out that Mildred isn't only heartless, but a snitch too. She told Captain Beatty about the books and now he wants me to burn down my own house. What can I do?
Note: At this point, you may have to reread the story to understand some one the points Montag is making here. I took some of his feelings and emotions from little lines and really emphasized them. I hope you have been enjoying my fanfic so far. There will probably be about two to three more chapters (the last chapter will be an epilouge to give it more of an ending). Anyway, review!
Another note: I added two more entries to this chapter since when I was counting my entries, I found out that I only had 23 and not 25! Well, hope you enjoy!