Quote Originally Posted by Litmaster View Post
Okay Osiris, I re-listened to that first meeting between Burt and Scratch. You are correct: Burt does escalate the situation by being more aggressive and threatening then he probably needs to in that situation. Scratch does the very same thing. She is every bit as aggressive and threatening as Burt.

So I agree with you that Burt escalated the situation a bit more than necessary because of his ultra macho behavior. I do not agree that this necessarily makes him at fault for all of the further aggressions directed towards the Tower folk by the Mallers.

So help me out, will you? I may have lost your central argument somewhere in the long string of posts... what is your main point? Are you arguing that the Tower folk are every bit as "evil" as the Mallers, the only difference being the perspective of the story? Is that it?
Simply a matter of perspective. Why is it so important? Because of the moment when Burt laughs. That's always stuck in my craw. He's figuring they've got these two total strangers outmatched. He's setting a clear line in the sand right there: I'm out for me and mine, and my attitude is based on how superior I believe myself, and my fire-power to be in any given situation. You've got to admit, that's a shitty way to start a relationship, and very telling about his character. Opportunistic, lazy moral compass. Two strangers... in the distance... non-threatening posture... Burt takes it as an opportunity to assert his dominance. And yet, he's beloved because we follow him, and learn his story. His approach from the start is dickish.

Be it use of a popular meme, but the sentiment holds true:

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always."