Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever?

—Thomas, you know we can’t round up every confused young man and send them to some remote region. Even if I agreed with you, which I do, to some extent at least. I mean, this is why so many soldiers stay in the Army and why so many prisoners end up back in prison. They cannot hack polite society. They’re bored and they feel caged.

It’s because nothing’s happened to me. And I think that’s a waste on your part. You should have found some kind of purpose for me.

—You wish you were part of some wonderful video game conflict with a clear moral objective.

Son, not everyone can win the game. Some people play it poorly. Some people quit. Some people don’t even read the playbook. And some people expect the rest of the team to carry them into the end zone.