Last Monday (another no-show day for Artie), I decided that I had enough: I wanted Artie gone.
Then I heard about today, and the thought that it may have been Artie's final show made me very sad.
In other words, I hope he stays, and I hope he shows up every day.
Who am I kidding?
Quote:
Originally Posted by dankhank
i still don't understand why he is so unhappy and self-destructive.
I never took a psych course, but I imagine this is the simple stuff they cover on Day One.
Artie comes from that blue collar background, where NOBODY becomes successful. His success upsets him psychologically--the same way a sick gambler can't stand, psychologically, a big win.
I've been that sick gambler. Can't sleep a wink after a win; sleep like a baby after you go back to the casino and piss it all away.
And I've been that guy from the blue collar neighborhood. I'd mention my plans to go to college and get a good job, and everyone would try to talk me out of it! "What do you want to do that for? I'm dating a girl who just got out of college, she's a cashier at Sears! College is for suckers!"
These people--friends, family, my dearest loved ones--didn't want to see me succeed. Keeping me down made them feel better about themselves.
You think Artie knows a few people like that? Or, more correctly, do you think Artie is SURROUNDED by people like that?
(Ask me if I ever went to college. Like Artie, I quickly flunked out of community college, not because of lack of ability, but lack of effort. I spent more time in the rec room playing pool than I did going to class. Sound familiar? I'm also Artie's age, Artie's weight, and I'm Italian. Except for his smoking, drinking, drug use, and massive success, I'm pretty in tune with Artie's state of mind. I guess if my father had gotten crippled at a relatively young age, I might be doing heroin as well.)