[twenty four] I need an adult.

[goodgrasshopper]

[video clicks on and Molly is sitting in her open closet with Mouse, the dogosaurus, beside her.  she looks extremely worried.]

Um.  Excuse me?  [she hooks an arm around one of Mouse's legs and hugs him.]  I'm not supposed to be by myself at night.  I stayed alone with Fluffy [yes, she has named Mouse Fluffy for the time being] last night, but he's not really like being with a grown up, and he kept the monsters from coming after me while I slept, but I would really like an adult.  Does anyone know who I'm supposed to stay with?  Please?

Comments

[Kid Filter!]

[truth_is_cold]

Sometimes not all rules are good. You should follow rules, but you're supposed to be able to question them.

Let's say if a rule said it was alright for you that when a man married, he owned his wife and everything she owned. She wasn't allowed to make decisions for herself anymore. She couldn't even decide not to be married in the first place because it was arranged. Do you think she should get in trouble if she wanted to run away? Even if it was against the rules? I don't think she should.

Superman? [That's a strangely familiar concept. But Rhade knows nothing about comics.]

[Kid Filter!]

[cisskabob]

[Her eyes go WIDE. What is this terrible rule you're making up??]

No! That's not fair! Mommy says you're supposed to marry someone you love, and that men and women are equal 'cause girls can do anything boys do, sometimes even better. Is that the kind of rules Mr. O'Brien meant?

Superman's a hero! He can fly and he's really strong and smart and brave and he protects people and sometimes he saves the whole world!

[Kid Filter!]

[truth_is_cold]

Girls are very strong and smart and impressive. [He's not gonna lie. He's a Nietzschean and he thinks women are the best.] But some places make rules like that. Mr. O'Brien's rules won't let you read certain books or learn about certain things unless he says that it's alright. And if you do what he says, he promises that you'll be safer and he can protect you.

[He can fly? What is this... He doesn't even... But there are people on board with flying dogs.] He sounds very impressive. [He wishes that he would have been better at saving worlds.] Lex Luthor isn't here though, so you should be alright.

[...He's pretty sure Lex Luthor isn't here, anyway.]

[Kid Filter!]

[cisskabob]

[Her expression brightens at that, but quickly turns alarmed. That's exactly what he said!] Did he lie? Why would he lie?

[She nods enthusiastically about Superman, but remains solemn.] He's a superhero! He can do anything. But there are a lot of other bad guys. What if they're here instead? Is Mr. O'Brien a bad guy?

[Kid Filter!]

[truth_is_cold]

Because he's lonely. It's easier when you're lonely.

I think that he is. I don't think you should trick children into being afraid of things. I think you should teach them to learn more about them. So if you want to learn something important, you're still allowed. Just because you don't have specific rules that you can follow, doesn't mean that you can't be a good person and help people if they need it.

[Ha, the traitor giving advice on being a good person. But he at least knows from experience that sometimes even best intentions don't work.]