I have been informed by Phineahas the Actor, one of two principals in the most recent production of The Fall of Agamedes and one of four cast members in The Good Citizen, that this coming performance will be his last. Apparently, he is called by Thassa. We are all drawn by something. My own list of identities/competencies/vocations/etc. has grown over the past few years. I can understand if he feels pulled in too many directions. From time to time, sometimes from day to day, I feel the same way. We conversed for a while after he made his announcement. It was polite. Civil, even. Not long ago, however, he spoke out of turn about my City. Of course, he believes that I am the one that spoke out of turn disdaining to discuss the topic he chose. He wanted to touch a nerve, spark an argument or, at least, open a dialogue or debate about issues someone born afield of Ar has no right to speak about. I found his opinions ludicrous and his logic circular. He found my assessment offensive and more than a bit pretentious. That was his opinion. He is entitled to it. We are men. That, at least, is something men can agree upon, if nothing else.
He seems put off by this latest work; troubled by some of the dialogue, but that cannot be helped. Some of it is word for word as it occured. I know. I was there. It does work well as a body of fiction, however. Seeing it come to life in the voices of others brings back memories, some of them difficult. Some of them angry. I remind myself, as I watch them rehearse, that the events, as they are portrayed in the present tense, will be interpretted differently. I do not intend to say 'You there. This is History. That is not how it happened.' I will consider myself satisfied if the story is told. It does not matter that the telling is precise, so long as the spirit remains intact. No one could be potentially misrepresented or, worse, incriminated. I am the only one left alive.