Chapter 8 – The Comeback
Daria once again approached a sign in desk. She was becoming quite accustomed to the routine. After signing in, she noticed the table was filled with zines, and they were all free. She grabbed a handful, about Human Nature, Primitivism, the Spanish Civil War, Anti-Fascism, the IWW (she knew someone who she could offer it to when she was done reading it) and of course Anarchism 101.
"You're Daria Morgendorffer"
"Let me guess, my handwriting gave me away"
"Your sense of humour is just as he described" the young woman sitting behind the table said, in her outfit that looked like it was sewn together using pieces of leftover cloth. It took Daria a few moments to wrap her head around it.
"Then I take it my reputation precedes me?"
"It certainly does. Jay has told us all about you. You're his friend? Girlfriend?"
"One of those two, but to be fair, I don't think either of us knows at this point"
"Well I'm Rose, I'm glad you decided to come tonight" she said, her polite tone contrasting with everything about her appearance.
"Well, just don't go starting a cult of personality around me" Daria joked
Rose giggled "Daria, we're Anarchists. And Anarchists don't worship personalities". She paused, before adding "At least we're not supposed to". The last line was so soft, Daria barely heard it
"So, what's on the agenda for tonight?"
"Well, you picked a good night to come. We're going through the ABCs of Anarchy"
Daria raised her eyebrow, said "Sounds fascinating" and took a seat.
la-la-la-la-la
Daria sat more or less in the centre back of the room. There was maybe 25 to 30 people sitting around her, when a young man stood up and walked behind the lectern. His leather jacket, piercings and hairstyle made it quite obvious he was a punk. He took off his jacket, to reveal a shirt covered in patches. Everything about this guy made Daria hope to never run into him in a dark alley. However, that all changed once he spoke.
"Everyone, if I can have your attention please, I'd like to bring this meeting to order" he said, in a soft spoken, humble voice.
"For those who don't know me, I'm Thom and I'd like to start by acknowledging that we're on the land of the Massachusett people, and pay tribute to their history, culture and ongoing struggles. Now before we move onto tonight's agenda, is there any business arising from the last meeting?"
"Yes" A young woman stood up and said in an aggressive tone "I'd like to ask that we ask that man (and pointed to the individual in question) be asked to leave the meeting"
The young man in question slunk back into his chair. Another young woman stood up to defend him. "Haven't you done enough. You and your lynch mob, can't you see that you've broken him"
From there, the meeting descended into chaos and yelling. Daria also thought she heard someone refer to the guy everyone was yelling about was Autistic.
Unlike the previous meeting Daria had attended, there were two clear sides to this argument, and with some exceptions, they were split pretty evenly down the middle of the room. This contrasted with the other meeting which had multiple sides and the were spread pretty evenly throughout that room and were heavily intermingled.
The tone of the two meetings (or arguments) was quite different too. The socialists were just passive aggressively snarking at each other. This was a full blown yelling match. Daria grabbed her bag and prepared to leave. She saw from the corner of her eye that the guy who was the subject of the argument was about to do the same.
Just then, the doors flung open and in walked a figure with a bright light shining behind him. (Okay, the light was just in Daria's imagination, but it was still a dramatic moment).
"Hello everyone" Jay said and everyone crowded around him like a group of, well, worshippers. What's that anarchists don't do again? Daria thought to herself.
Several people hugged him, including Terry (the guy everyone was yelling about), Rose and the guy chairing the meeting.
"Sounds like I missed a lot. Does someone want to fill me in?" he finally said. He took a seat and everyone eventually returned to theirs, and the whole sordid history of Terry and Jess (the girl calling for his expulsion), their relationship, their horrific break up was laid bare (Not that Daria cared). By the time they were done talking through the whole issue and trying to calm the whole issue (Daria noted how great Jay was at doing this), it was quite late and everyone was ready to leave.
"I'm sorry you didn't get to hear the talk I was going to give" Rose said, as she and Daria were leaving
"That's okay, I've got the zine. And if I've got any questions, I'll ask this guy" Daria replied, as Jay walked up next to her.
"Walk you home?" he asked. She nodded in agreement.
La-la-la-la-la
Jay tried to sell Daria on Anarchism on their walk back. It was a pitch that sounded familiar and Daria was just as sceptical as last time.
"Its worked before, it can work again" Jay insisted
"Yeah, but look how it usually works out. Either you get purged or you sell out"
"Daria, don't you ever want to be a part of something, to believe in something bigger than yourself" he asked, as light from a street light bathed the two of them.
"Is this question personal or political?"
"Does there have to be a difference?"
"Are we talking about Anarchism or us?" Daria asked
"What do you think we're talking about?" and took a sip of water from a nearby drinking fountain
"Why do you always answer a question with a question?" Daria said, looking over her shoulder
"Why do you keep looking over your shoulder?"
"Because I'm fairly certain I'm being followed" Daria admitted for the first time
"I don't see anyone" Jason said, scanning the vicinity
"Neither do I, but I just sense it" Daria explained
They eventually reached the doorway to the dorm building. Jay turned to leave.
"Okay, you want an answer, here goes" Daria took a deep breath "I am not now, nor will I ever be an anarchist. As far as we are concerned, I need to think about that some more"
"And as I've said before, take as much time as you need" and they parted ways.
La-la-la-la-la
"Well, what are you going to do?" Jessica asked, nosily
"As I said, I haven't decided yet" Daria said, firmly
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes, but, and don't take this personally, not with you"
"Your friend, Jane?"
"She'll know what to say" Daria said, unusually hopeful "She always does" Daria knew she was bending the truth, but didn't care.