Wednesday Flash: a Conversation in the Bar

“Some crimes are unforgivable. They are premeditated, well executed and ruthless.”

“True. If somebody does such things on purpose, there’s no excuse.”

“And it’s not just the abuse of trust we’re talking about here – it’s far worse.”

“You know the funny thing? Sections of society still have sympathy for him. Somehow he still gets support.”

“It’s the family, man! He’s got quite a large and extended family, and they feel obliged to stand behind him.”

“Don’t forget the money, chaps. It makes the world go around, remember? With millions at his disposal, it isn’t so far-fetched that he has lots of friends. Lots of people love travelling on a gravy train.”

“And he’s a womaniser, as well. Hopped from one bed to another. Must have a lot of charm to be a Cassanova like that.”

“Mmm, Valentines must have been difficult for him.”

“Well, some people see him as a hero. Somebody who overcame everything, to become an icon. I mean, he did see himself as a leader of sorts, didn’t he?”

“I think he could have had the world at his feet. You know: the right place, the right time, the right words, even the right actions – and he would have been revered for generations to come.”

“But now we’re stuck with his mess. The damage has been done. I doubt if we’d ever recover from it.”

“Well. It’s over now. The process has begun. He won’t last long.”

“It won’t be hard to say goodbye to him. In fact, it’ll be a pleasure.”

“Sure. The country doesn’t need him. He shattered dreams and wrecked so many hopes… We all hoped, didn’t we?”

“Yes. We did. We were stupid.”

Servaas walks in, dressed in black.

“You chaps still talking about the court case in Pretoria?”

“No  Servaas. We’re talking about the gun-mad basket case in the presidency.”