“I came back for my own purposes,” said the Time Traveler, looking around my booklined study. “I chose you to talk to because it was . . . convenient. And I don’t want you to do a goddamned thing. There’s nothing you can do. But relax . . . we’re not going to be talking about personal things. Such as, say, the year, day, and hour of your death. I don’t even know that sort of trivial information, although I could look it up quickly enough. You can release that white-knuckled grip you have on the edge of your desk.” I tried to relax. “What do you want to talk about?” I said. “The Century War,” said the Time Traveler. I blinked and tried to remember some history. “You mean the Hundred Year War? Fifteenth Century? Fourteenth? Sometime around there. Between . . . France and England? Henry V? Kenneth Branagh? Or was it . . .” “I mean the Century War with Islam,” interrupted the Time Traveler. “Your future. Everyone’s.” He was no longer smiling. Without asking, or offering to pour me any, he
Okay, I have to admit I found the naked guys a little more disturbing than the costume characters.
ReplyDeleteMost of Japan agrees with you. There was a big blowup by the PTA (yeah, the same group as in the USA) over the nekkid jockstrap magnet superheroes.
ReplyDeleteAnd now Lazer Ramon Hard Gay is one of the most popular characters with kids in Japan. Progress? Folly?
I wish I knew what they were singing in that song!
ReplyDeleteIt's typical "be super brave! run around! shout your bravery" kind of stuff.
ReplyDelete