July 1st, 2002 - 12:26 p.m.

A treatise on deceit; yes, this is about you.

A genuine abhorrence to liars. In a human being, there is no greater failing. Lies, like the falling of boulders and large objects, only gain greater momentum as they make their descent. Once lied to, the lie-ee must only assume that all else was based upon some form of untruth, upon which a close scrutiny of all past conversations is conducted, and gaping holes are found.

One could be cruel, or hateful. Pathetic, or empty. Spiteful, or vengeful. Unsympathetic, or uncompassionate. Greedy, or delusional. All of these things are human failings, but within these, the person�s true character comes clearly to light. A liar works upon deceit, and often draws the illusion of a personality that does not exist. An illusion, deception. So very wrong. Cruel, hateful, spiteful and vengeful people will lash out, one feels the pain instantaneously, cutting across like a salt tipped blade. It might hit a nerve, but the majority of the time those inflicting are weak within themselves, one sees quite clearly all the holes and worn spots, so the threat and the injury are surface at best. Pathetic, empty, greedy and delusional people can only serve as an object of pity; pettiness ruling the major drives. They remind one of vultures, circling about, to swoop down and claim a discarded carcass. Unsympathetic and uncompassionate people are best left alone to their own wallowing; it is a shallow pool, they will most likely not drown. Oh, but to lie! Seems to encompass all the aspects of the above human traits. How deplorable. How very caddish. What disrespect for human companionship. What lack of trust in one�s true character and conduct.

Creeps under the skin first, burrows, becomes comfortable in the left upper ventricle. Multiplies. Then, the lie is revealed, and the fa�ade crumbles. The visage is wiped off and the ugly underpinnings are revealed. It hardens, turns black and cankerous. Lump like, coal wise. And, given time, crumbles into a fine dust, leaving a sooty residue, thick with rancid oil. Can only be removed with much vinegar, and vigorous rubbing. But a stain remains. Never forget. Must be the rosemary in the diet.

�I trust you to be human,� Ash once said.

N.

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