A timeless being watches humanity’s discourse, like watching the shoreline of an ocean’s waves ebb and flow.
Frank: Be careful of hot-headed leaders. What feels firm now has consequences.
Walter: No. We must exert power. Show we are a force.
Frank: Force threatens people’s sense of independence. It’s slower, but it avoids calamity.
Walter: Strength avoids calamity.
Frank: We’re already a superpower. We can walk softly and carry a big stick.
Walter: We’ve been quiet too long. We’re getting pushed around.
Frank: Pushed around how, exactly?
Walter: You know. People talk.
Frank: Let them talk.
Walter: No. Pushing people around reminds them who’s in charge. Grab what you can from those that are weak.
Frank: It also gives them a reason to unite against us. History is very clear on that.
Walter: I’m prepared to fight for this.
Frank: You’re too old to fight. You’re asking your kids to fight.
Walter: It won’t come to that.
Frank: You’re willing to risk it just to look tough.
Walter: It won’t come to that.
[Five years later]
Walter: My son was pulled into combat.
Frank: I was afraid of that.
Walter: This isn’t the time to reflect.
Frank: I’m not reflecting. I’m saying this was avoidable.
Walter: Stop with the “I told you so” and think about my kids.
Frank: I always was. Why weren’t you?
Walter: Not now.
Frank: Fine.
[Five years later]
Walter: My son died.
Frank: I’m so sorry.
Walter: He died for nothing. Only the powerful gained anything.
Frank: I wish that weren’t true.
Walter: We have to make sure this never happens again.
Frank: I agree.
Walter: Let’s make films. Documentaries. Tell the story.
Frank: From every angle. With interviews. So people recognize the warning signs before it’s too late. War is for the weak, defense and restraint is power.
Walter: Indeed.
[Ten years later]
Frank: Welcome our baby, Dave.
Walter: And Kim. May they never live through what we have.
[Five years later]
Dave, Kim, Walter, Frank: Limit power. Checks and balances. Defense is a great offense. Never again!
[Twenty years later]
Dave: Welcome our children, Harper and Zoe.
Kim: May they inherit what we tried to protect.
[Twenty years later]
Harper: We are too defensive. People will take advantage. We will lose.
Zoe: Lose what. We have more than almost all the world.
Harper: Not if we look weak.
Zoe: Peace isn’t weakness. It’s harder. It lasts longer.
Harper: We need to show strength.
Zoe: We need to search for balance. Be the change we wish to see.
Harper: We need a leader who doesn’t care what people think. Someone who shows who’s in charge.
Zoe: Hot-headed leaders feel good in the moment. They always come with consequences.
Harper: This is different from history. Stop bringing up history, it gets old!
Zoe: Every generation says that.
Harper: You’re weak.
Zoe: And you’re borrowing strength from people not born yet.
Harper: Stop worrying about the future. We will be greater than ever!
Sean Shadmand 