[image error] I met a man who said, "I don't get escapism."
My first thought on hearing this was something along the lines of 'Wow! He must have an awesome life. He must have tonnes of money. He probably has two really cute and smart children; a beautiful, adventurous, elegant and sexy wife too. He probably owns a huge company and gets to boss people about all day. His perks possibly include a luxurious private room of hot, big breasted, full lipped, asian concubines whose only purpose in life is to engulf his senses in raw physical pleasure at his whim. He probably rides rocket ships to the moon and takes tourist photos of alien civilisations while fighting crime as an invincible cyborg. That's probably why he has no health worries. Obviously, he has no worries if he doesn't get escapism'
Then he said: "How can I get escapism?"
So I thought, 'oh, he's like some rich guy tourist and he wants to sample the life of the lower classes. How quaint! I could insult him for being such a nonce but then that would destroy my chances of ever visiting his luxurious private room of hot, big breasted, full lipped asian concubines and boy did I want to visit that! I wanted this guy to be my best friend for all time!'
So very politely I told him that he should quit his job, burn all his money, drown himself in alcohol and go on a drink-driving joyride with his two kids and the seatbelts removed. After they died, he should break up with his hot and perfect wife out of guilt and then find a partner who treats him like dirt and hates him. For a final touch he should go and play soccer for a couple of hours at the Fukushima Dai Ichi nuclear power plant site and develop 25 terminal cancers… "Then," I said, "then you will get escapism."
In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have shouted this.
Anyway, he then told me that he can't stand moments in a story where realism is lost. He only reads true stories. He watches movies and points out all the errors. He abhors fantasy, and thinks it ridiculous… And all my dreams of having a super cyborg, interstellar tourist best friend with a luxurious private room of hot, big breasted, full lipped asian concubines vanished like a fresh and vibrant painting under a hot tap and some turpentine.
'Oh, so you are just some pernickety git with no imagination…. ', I thought, but at least he was trying to 'get' escapism.
Am I the only person who finds that concept completely ridiculous?