January 3, 2021: Both Sides of the Story
Song: “Both Sides of the Story” by Collins, Phil from HITS
(Moviediner.Wordpress.com, from the film Coffee and Cigarettes)
“The thing of it is,” Hampton said between sips of coffee, “He was dead early.”
Baret raised his eyebrows skeptically. “But I thought the story was he went down firing.”
“That was the story, yeah.”
“But not the truth.”
Hampton shook his head.
“I don’t understand,” Baret replied, “Why bother making that up.”
“Evidently they wanted to romanticize it.”
“If there’s anything romantic to be found in someone’s violent death.”
“Clearly, some people find it.”
Hampton added a bit more sugar and stirred, metal clinking against ceramic. Baret winced a bit at the noise.
When Hampton finally stopped and brought the cup to his lips again, Baret demanded, “Why tell me this?”
“I always thought you were someone who pursued the truth.
Baret grimaced, “I am. But…what does knowing this truth help?”
Hampton shrugged for what had to be the 10th times since their conversation started, “That’s not really my thing. I kind of assumed that was your thing. I just give out the raw materials, people like you do something with it.”
“So he dies before the shoot out really starts?”
“Right.”
“But someone doesn’t want to be the story.”
“Or several someones.”
“Instead this someone or several someones makes everybody think he proverbially died with his spurs on, some Wild West sensibilities in our modern landscape.”
“Seems like.”
“And now you’re telling me rather than do anything about it yourself.”
“Not my department.”
“But it is mine?”
“I guess that’s up to you.”
“And if I decide it isn’t my department either?”
“The story stands. Maybe the legend grows.”
“And you think that’s bad?”
“As do you.”
“Maybe I just think it’s a little bad. Not enough to get up in arms about.”
“Maybe,” Hampton replied noncommittally, “But I doubt that.”
He tossed a pile of bills on the table and added, “That’s enough for us both and tip.”
Hampton slipped out of the booth and eased towards the door.
“Dammit,” Baret hissed to himself before pulling his phone from his pocket and dialing. “God dammit.”