Cutting A Corner

Victor, you aced it! says Sweezus. Character is destiny. Where'd that come from?

Police officers manual, says Victor.

No way, says Sweezus.

Okay, says Victor. But it's in there somewhere. Or something like it.

Yeah but it sounds like what Heraclitus would say, says Sweezus.

I know, says Victor. That's why I chose it.

Reckon it's true? asks Sweezus. What's my destiny?

Well, you seem rather lazy, says Victor. And unfocussed. And you neglect Terence, in spite of the fact you're his guardian..

That's my character, says Sweezus. Not my destiny.

It's meant to be the same thing, says Arthur.

I hadn't finished, says Victor. 

Shouldn't we get this ladder through the fence and get moving? asks Kierkegaard. 

Yeah, says Sweezus. We should.

Let me do it, says Arthur. Thales is the ladder man.

Okay, says Sweezus. What was your mathematical discovery again?

Watch this, says Arthur.

He drags the ladder to the fence. Stands it upright. Then tips it over.

Now the ladder is on the other side of the fence, forming an angle.

See that, says Arthur. That's a right angle.

Where? asks Sweezus.

The angle of the fence to the ground, says Kierkegaard. But it's always there. One doesn't need the ladder.

Pedant, says Arthur. But you're right. We don't need the ladder.

Was that your discovery? asks Victor.

No, it's a new idea, says Arthur. Leave the ladder here, and go on to the lighthouse without it.

Yeah you're right. We don't need it, says Sweezus. We can knock on the door.

I thought we were doing a re-enactment, says Victor.

Just cutting a corner, says Sweezus.

Everyone agrees, after thinking about it.

They don't need the ladder.

They get on their bikes and cycle the rest of the way to the lighthouse without it.