Greetings, Gentles. The Stout Master continues his chronicle of the Antagonistic Buddha's youth. We are now examining his college years, a time when he was still called, J_____. In my last report, I described the foundation of "the Drunken Disciples of God," a secret society devoted to debate. I pick up the story with the addition of new members.
Tom Collins suggested the fourth member of their cabal: Kate. Tom Collins felt strongly that a woman's voice needed to be at the table, and it helped that Kate brought balance in other areas. Like Tom Collins, she had no kung fu. She was, in fact, an avowed pacifist. Kate also professed to be an atheist, which brought some much needed irony to the "Drunken Disciples of God." Her debating style was fearsome and her specialty was dramatically deconstructing faulty logic. Kate was famous for reducing strong men to tears.
However, Kate was also tall, blonde, and leggy. She had the kind of looks that make men stupid. It was little wonder when the Drunken Master fell madly in love with her. Kate was the Yin to his Yang. Although Kate returned his attention, she did not truly return the Drunken Master's love. The two hovered near each other with the impending tragedy of a moth and flame. The Drunken Master was soon lost in her.
Kate brought another issue to the Drunken Disciples of God. Now they were four, and it was possible to deadlock on votes. This was particularly a problem because Kate delighted in opposing the Drunken Master even on insignificant issues. Clearly a fifth permanent, voting member was necessary. J_____ believed he had the perfect candidate.
J_____ met Nick through the campus karate club. Nick was a brown belt in kyokushin kai karate and went by the nickname, "Scratch." Kyokushin kai is an aggressive and direct style, and Scratch sparred with brutal efficiency. The Great Sage says Scratch had one of the most powerful roundhouse kicks he has ever encountered. Scratch loved a good fight, and he told everyone he'd done a 50-Man Kumite in high school.
In debate, Scratch's reputation was for incisive common sense. he used this talent to strong effect for the Drunken Disciples of God as the tie-breaking vote and Devil's Advocate. As Devil's Advocate, Scratch's job was to assess the flow of the discussion and jump in on behalf of the weaker side. His deft ability to change sides abruptly caused some observers to label him devious or subversive, but this was his appointed role. Despite being the most junior member of the permanent group, Scratch was respected and treated as an equal.
Yet, adding Scratch to the Drunken Disciples of God changed the dynamic. the observers -- those on the fringes of the society -- noticed the changes first, but couldn't quite put their finger on what was wrong. or what was changing.
But it was someone outside the society, one of J_____'s friends, who first noticed the looks that passed between Kate and Scratch...
Tom Collins suggested the fourth member of their cabal: Kate. Tom Collins felt strongly that a woman's voice needed to be at the table, and it helped that Kate brought balance in other areas. Like Tom Collins, she had no kung fu. She was, in fact, an avowed pacifist. Kate also professed to be an atheist, which brought some much needed irony to the "Drunken Disciples of God." Her debating style was fearsome and her specialty was dramatically deconstructing faulty logic. Kate was famous for reducing strong men to tears.
However, Kate was also tall, blonde, and leggy. She had the kind of looks that make men stupid. It was little wonder when the Drunken Master fell madly in love with her. Kate was the Yin to his Yang. Although Kate returned his attention, she did not truly return the Drunken Master's love. The two hovered near each other with the impending tragedy of a moth and flame. The Drunken Master was soon lost in her.
Kate brought another issue to the Drunken Disciples of God. Now they were four, and it was possible to deadlock on votes. This was particularly a problem because Kate delighted in opposing the Drunken Master even on insignificant issues. Clearly a fifth permanent, voting member was necessary. J_____ believed he had the perfect candidate.
J_____ met Nick through the campus karate club. Nick was a brown belt in kyokushin kai karate and went by the nickname, "Scratch." Kyokushin kai is an aggressive and direct style, and Scratch sparred with brutal efficiency. The Great Sage says Scratch had one of the most powerful roundhouse kicks he has ever encountered. Scratch loved a good fight, and he told everyone he'd done a 50-Man Kumite in high school.
In debate, Scratch's reputation was for incisive common sense. he used this talent to strong effect for the Drunken Disciples of God as the tie-breaking vote and Devil's Advocate. As Devil's Advocate, Scratch's job was to assess the flow of the discussion and jump in on behalf of the weaker side. His deft ability to change sides abruptly caused some observers to label him devious or subversive, but this was his appointed role. Despite being the most junior member of the permanent group, Scratch was respected and treated as an equal.
Yet, adding Scratch to the Drunken Disciples of God changed the dynamic. the observers -- those on the fringes of the society -- noticed the changes first, but couldn't quite put their finger on what was wrong. or what was changing.
But it was someone outside the society, one of J_____'s friends, who first noticed the looks that passed between Kate and Scratch...
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