Progress

Closed bets, closed minds

"Oh, sure! According to you, there is no such a thing as a royal flush! Everyone who ever had one was either a liar or a madman, right?"

"This is your last warning: show-your-cards."

"Whose idea was it to bring the ufologist again?"

Stars

"They're fireflies!"

"They're the souls of the departed!"

"They're flaming dragons!"

"They're light bulbs!"

"They're holes in the sky!"

"They are gigantic balls of gas emitting vast amounts of energy due to the nuclear fusion reactions that..."

"Bah! Who cares?"

Context is important

"The director had this idea of using scary stories to deter inmates from escaping."

"Looks like it could use some tweaking."

"He was warned against it, but he wouldn't listen. So, one afternoon he went over the perimeter fence and started running... and was never seen again."

Hell

"Excuse me, but how are fire and tortures supposed to pain me if I no longer have a physical body?"

"Stop asking questions and start screaming! Are you trying to get us all laid off?"

Please wait

Your request for the web resource

http://www.youtube.com/

has been queued. Please allow 2-4 weeks for review and approval.

"On second thought, this state-run ISP was not such a good idea."

Equality

"Proof that men and women are equal. Major magazines targeted at both demographics feature seductive women on the cover and content oriented to man's sexual gratification. I rest my case."

The offer

"Mr. Ventrelli, we bring great news for you!"

"The Godfather offers you his friendship and protection in exchange for... ahem... a monthly token of respect."

"Thank you, gentlemen, but I respect the Godfather my own way. Organized crime is not for me."

"You don't understand. The Godfather is giving you a choice.*"

*"I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

"He is?"

"Yes! You can either pay for his protection, or else have your shop windows shattered."

"Isn't the Godfather a wonderful person in letting you to accept his offer on your own will?"

"No, no, listen... I know the Godfather is a good man. He'd never..."

"Mr. Ventrelli, the Godfather really appreciates you and your family. He wouldn't like anything bad happen to you."

"Knowing you rejected his offer will break his heart. Your place will burn to the ground, and it will be your fault."

"And he will know! He knows everything!"

"He knows where you live... He knows where your children go to school..."

"WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY TELL ME ABOUT THIS?"

Mr. Ventrelli took the offer. And then...

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph! I'M SAFE! God bless the Godfather!"

"Another candid soul won for the family."

"Look, there's that guy who called us thugs."

"Good. Let's take him to the back alley and teach him some respect."

Help from above

Libra: Celestial bodies will clear your path to love and workplace progress today.

"Yeah, right..."

"Poor Johnson. What an awful, unlikely way to die. Oh, well... Smith, starting tomorrow you have his job. Meanwhile, take the day off and go console the widow."