xxx λ thinking

[assemblatore]

[There's that familiar-yet-unfamiliar Italian accent, deeper than usual:]

My time here has been short, and yet in that time I have seen things unfathomable to the people of my time... things that I find relieving, and things that I find deeply troubling. Men are not made to weather such changes in such a brief time, but I have enjoyed it for what it is, and will continue to do so.

Interesting, too, to get a better understanding of history, and the legacies that have been left by the most influential people of my time. Strange that some I thought would would be spoken of for centuries barely register with the people of the future, and others have risen out of nowhere.

[sigh]

I wonder what those men would have done differently, had they only possessed the gift of foresight. But at the same time, who can say history might have happened any differently, given man's inherent weakness, his proclivity towards selfishness and opportunity, even at the cost of another's? I should like to think it is different in the future, where good will towards men is readily taught, but in my time, who can blame a man for stepping on others to avoid starvation if none have taught him a greater morality and code of ethics? Even if he had received instruction, could a virtuous constitution prevent a man from becoming tyrants? I do not feel it is possible.

I would also like to believe that suffering is always worth someth––

[A pause to having a considerable coughing fit, though one muffled by his sleeve.]

Ah... What was I saying? It matters little. I am sure I have worn this topic thin over the years, and I am weary of it.

[A pause.]

It is unfortunate that my memories of this place are clouded by age. I would have liked to better remember what it was like to be a young man in this place.

Comments

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Not usually. What bother is an old man who makes wine?

dictated;

[persequor]

You're lucky.

dictated;

[assemblatore]

I suppose you could see it that way.

dictated;

[persequor]

How do you see it then?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

I survived long enough to escape them completely.

dictated;

[persequor]

One part luck, a lot of parts skill?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

The only luck involved was that I happened to meet some people that would prove to be excellent allies. The rest, of course, was skill –– even in forging a brotherhood with those allies.

dictated;

[persequor]

Did it have a name?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Si, it did –- and it does. It is the Brotherhood. Creative, no?

dictated;

[persequor]

That's all you could think of?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

I had bigger priorities than a name. I would welcome suggestions, though.

dictated;

[persequor]

Mm...Where were you?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Florence, Venice, Rome... do you know these cities?

dictated;

[persequor]

No.

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Too bad. They are beautiful places.

dictated;

[persequor]

What's the land like?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Different. Florence is a banking city... old, but rich, the world's heart of art and science. Venice is a city upon the water, as if it were an island, and instead of roads there are canals. And Rome... well, Rome is a magnificent city built upon the ruins of an ancient empire.

dictated;

[persequor]

Which was your home?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

I have called all of them home, but Florence is the home of my heart, of course.

dictated;

[persequor]

Is that where you were born?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

It was.

dictated;

[persequor]

Do you live there now?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

On the outskirts, yes. The city is too busy for an old man like me.

dictated;

[persequor]

How old are you? [ Manners. ]

[assemblatore]

Sixty five! How old are you?