The
slogan of the Norfolk Republican Party brings to mind a conversation
between Brick and Block, two homeless guys.
At
the moment, Brick and Block are shuffling down Colonial Ave. in
Norfolk after having been shooed away by local homeowners and
businesses. Shouts of “get a job” or “parasites” or “welfare
whores” ring in their ears. Dogs and children chase them, taunting
them.
Brick, deep in contemplation, mourns the loss of his bench, which keeps appearing and disappearing like a bad dream.
Block,
a daydreamer, blames his shoes for his pain and not himself.
Brick:
Did you hear? [pause] Did you hear? [pause] I'm talking
to you.
Block:
What? I'm in pain.
Brick:
I have something to say.
Block:
You always have something to say.
Brick:
But this is important.
Block:
You always say whatever you say is important.
Brick:
It is.
Block:
Another quip?
Brick:
No.
Block:
Another rant?
Brick:
Possibly.
Block:
Say what you plan to say.
Brick:
The Republicans want less government.
Block:
So?
Brick:
Did you read their slogan?
Block:
No. I'm too lazy to read. I'm too lazy to get a job.
Brick:
But you have two degrees.
Block:
It's not how I think. It's how I look.
Brick:
The slogan says the Norfolk Republican Party is “the home of free
enterprise, fiscal responsibility, limited government and a strong
defense...welcome to the Norfolk Republican Party!”
Block:
Are we welcome?
Brick:
Do you have any money?
Block:
[roots in his jacket] Five bucks.
Brick:
You're short. You're not welcome.
Block:
How much does it take to become a Republican?
Brick:
A lot, I heard.
Block:
This brings to mind a quotation.
Brick:
Yes?
Block:
The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich
have always objected to being governed at all.
Brick:
The Republicans do object. They prefer the tyranny of free enterprise
to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Block:
Isn't that self-evident?
Brick:
We are created equal, but some are created more equal than others.
Block:
We are born crazy. Some of us remain so.
Brick:
I can't go on. But you can. You will.
Block:
The poor man really has a stake in the country; the rich man hasn't.
He can go away to New Guinea in his yacht.
Brick:
You made it up.
Block:
No. Sad, isn't it?
Brick:
It is. Now I'll never get to New Guinea.
Block:
What are the Democrats doing?
Brick: Begging for the minority vote.
Block:
But what do they plan to do?
Brick:
I never could figure them out.
Block:
Me neither.
Brick:
I have an idea.
Block:
What?
Brick:
Let's sell slogans.
Block:
Forbidden.
Brick:
What?
Block:
You need a permit.
Brick:
Go to the city, pay your fees and wait for them to contact you. You
probably could have your request expedited if you donated money to a
city council member.
Block:
What happened to free enterprise?
Brick:
It's just an empty slogan.
There's
man all over for you, blaming on his boots the fault of his feet.
-Samuel
Beckett