The World's Absolute Strangest Friendship

Why in the name of God are we all friends with each other? This is a question I’ve had to ask myself countless times in regard to myself, Max, and Ben. Why are we friends? Well, we could write it off to the fact that we’re all in our school’s debate club. You might say that it’s because of certain. . .previous relations between myself and Max. With a stretch, you might even say that it’s because Ben designed a – surprise - logo for a play I was in last year. (Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was Puck. The show was brilliant.) But previous relations of the sort Max and I had rarely spawn friendships, and actors hardly strike up friendships with those who design logos for their performances. So the only explanation is Debate Club. Debate Club, ah, Debate Club. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day – sorry, Shakespearean sonnet tangent there. My sincerest Phantomy apologies. Right.

Moving on. More about DC later. DC – wow…DC needs a new name. From this point on it shall be called. Um. The Point of No Return. Because once you start going, there’s no going back. The madness pulls you in. So more about the Point of No Return later. For now, let’s decide why I’m friends with you people.

Also, I’ve noticed some weird things about all my friends. Other than their just general…weirdness. They all remind me of Nadir in some way shape or form. Why? Because all of a Phantom’s friends must be like Nadir.

Ben: Also from the PotO rulebook, which you haven’t written yet.

Kat: (Glare) When did you become my conscience?

Max: As Nadir is to Erik, Max and Ben are to Kat.

Kat: I have TWO Nadirs? Does this mean you’ll start following me around with a black notebook and taking notes on my movements?

Max: Er. . .not that I haven’t already. . .

Ben: (Extremely uncharacteristicly whistles)

Kat: So that’s how you found the blog!

Anyway. Back to the point.

Reasons I’m Friends With Max

This guy is a good guy. This is an unavoidable fact. Max is a great guy and he’s quite nice to have around. He’s sweet and he’s just good. I’m his friend because he’s liberal. Because he’s crazy. Because he has no common sense and I’ve no idea what he’d do without me. Because he’s funny. Because he’s fun. Because he agreed to read Susan Kay’s “Phantom” if I would read Timothy Somebody-or-other’s Star Wars novels. Because he’s brining a lightsaber to the Star Wars movie. He tolerates the PotO obsession and reminds me of Nadir for no discernible reason whatsoever. And he read the Gaston Leroux PotO novel!! Even if he likes Raoul, this is forgivable so long as he read the darn thing.

Reasons I’m Friends With Ben

He can recognize Rhapsody in Blue played on an accordion. Don’t ask me why this is a qualification for a friend. It just is. He is as mad as I am. He tolerates the PotO obsession and reminds me of Nadir for no discernible reason whatsoever. He at least plans to read the PotO novel. He has the uncanny ability to comment on a blog within two minutes of the posting, and wrote random dialogues in the blog comments. He will jump at me from behind a bus, scare me half to death, and then run away laughing maniacally. During a conversation, he will do something totally unexpected, like stand up and bounce on his backpack. And of course, he’s always in context.

This hopefully didn’t make too much sense to you.

If it did, I’m losing my touch.

I remain, gentlemen, your faithful and obedient servant,

J.G.