The Conversation, part 63

In a meeting with Jack…

“So I figure I can just make it a ‘New Quote’ button and get rid of all that other stuff on the screen.”

I nod, writing on a pad of paper.

Silence.

“I’m not taking notes, by the way. I’m writing a poem.”

“Well, that’s why I was quiet. If I thought you were taking notes, I would have kept talking.”

“Uh huh . . . what rhymes with ‘vulva’?”

And then, a little while later…

“Yeah, I’ve never been crazy about the way that works.”

“Wasn’t it your idea?”

“It was the best thing I had at the time, yes.”

“Uh huh.”

“I’ve never been afraid to try something and fail — no, wait . . . yes I have.”

“I admire that quality, by the way.”

“Failure?”

“Being afraid.”

(Fortunately, my day was more productive than that.)