Prince Valium (continued)
"Uh, no thanks," you tell him.
"No on the century-old princess, huh?"
The old man nods as though he anticipated such an answer.
"Well, I can't blame you.
The poor girl is older than I am, come to think of it."
"Really," you say.
You're not that interested in what he has to say, but you feel as if you're obligated to say something.
"Well," the old man says, "how about someone younger, then?
There's a young girl who lives in the middle of that forest over there, and every now and then she goes to visit her grandmother.
The only frightening thing is that there are wolves in that forest, and she often doesn't have anyone accompanying her on the path."
"Sounds pretty stupid to me," you say, "going out in wolf country without protection."
"She's not stupid," the old man assures you, "just headstrong."
You don't know whether to believe his words.
"Uh-huh," you say.
"Well," the old man amends, "not so headstrong that she ignores practical issues stubbornly.
I'm sure she'd make someone a wonderful wife, a strong partner.
She has her own opinions, without being opinionated.
You know?"
You say nothing.
"Ahem, well," says the old man.
"Aside from all that, she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.
Auburn hair, green eyes--just beautiful.
Would you keep her company and make her safe on her journey?"
You tell him...
