Nike Killed Skateboarding
Out of context: Reply #37
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- TheBlueOne0
Time: 382 BC
Location: Somewhere outside of ThebesSCENE I: AROUND A CAMPFIRE, TWO OLD MEN SIT
Ilikosis: Ah my good friend Helios, did you hear what that lout Homer did today?
Helios: I have no idea dear Ilikosis, but I am probably safe to bet it was drag down the fine and ancient art of storytelling deeper into the muck.
Ilikosis: Indeed...we must drink to your insightful vision, the gods bless you [drains cup]. It is sad enough to be true that rogue Homer sells his tales to the highest bidder in town! He tells his stories at parties! Where women gather!
Helios: How vile. He has given our unique expression and culture over to these base commercial interests. Remember the good old days dear friend.
Ilikosis: Like they were before my eyes just now. Our stories, passed from uncle to nephew, father to son, lord to liege, 'round campfires exacly like these!
Helios: Yes!! And not stories such as told now for the market, but real stories! Ones that, if a great storyteller were to forget, why they could change the tale like a swallow in flight! It is a lost art. Now the vulgar merchants just wish to hear the same tales, again and agian - and in the same manner! And that wretched Homer...
Ilikosis: Gods curse him!! His tales are so popular!! All about town it's Homer this and Homer that...
Helios: Do you remember Crazy Old Zed?
Ilikosis: You mean that crazy old man who lived by the rock by the tree next to the cave a league from the town gates?
Helios: The very same!
Ilikosis: Yes, of course...one of the best of the old school. Useless for anything, but Zed could tell stories like...
Helios: ..Like the drunken genius he was! He was a Storyteller!
Ilikosis: Aye!
[BOTH MEN DRAIN CUPS. LOOK ABOUT REMINISCING]
Ilikosis: BUt you hear tell what transpires with Old Zed these days?
Helios: I have not?
Ilikosis: He has signed a contract.
Helios: A contract? What? How?
Ilikosis: With the Babylonian Merchant Consortium in town.
Helios: I very much dislike those Babylonians! Especially the merchants! No respect for Craft! It's all drachma this, gold that...
Ilikosis: Well, Old Zed, knowing that his stories were falling out of favor with the townsfolk thanks to Homer..
{BOTH MEN CURSE]
Ilikosis [CONTINUING]:..well he has had his stories now made into piktograms!
Helios: Piktograms?
Ilikosis: Yes! The Babylonians are inscribing Old Zed's stories onto their g;lazed pottery. It has grown quite popular with the rich these days...
Helios: SO our ancient stories..and the Craft of Storytelling...and by OLD ZED HIMSELF??..why these have become just mere decoration on some Babylonian whores chamber pot?!!
Ilikosis: Indeed it is true. The world is not like it once was my friend.
Helios: I fear for the children. And what of the future of Storytelling? Where should it go? It is dead now...dead to me at last. Do you think the Babylonian bastards would put my story on their pottery? What percentage do I get?
Ilikosis: Ah! Listen to you you old beggar!
Helios: What will you do? One must change with the times..
Ilikosis: Curse the gods...