Aspects of Hopelessness

Man on the streets: Mors of Ardea?

-looks up from contemplation-

Mors: Aye?

Man: Do you have time to answer a few questions for me? It would only take a moment of your time...

Mors: My friend, all I have is time. Please, sit down.

-the man sits down on the bench in the park-

Mors: Now, what may I aid you with?

Man: When does one know when to stop?

Mors: Stop what?

Man: Everything.

-a small hesitant pause-

Man: Not necessarily life, but the will to live...

-Mors nods as the man trails off, and he considers-

Mors: When they no longer believe there is a way out.

Man: ...When they no longer believe? But that changes for every per---

Mors: When they no longer believe /there is a way out/. When they no longer think they can improve their life... and when they no longer think anyone else can help them.

Man: Isn't there usually a way out, though?

Mors: Usually.

-pause as he collects his thoughts-

Mors: as long as there is still something that can be tried... you cannot stop yet.

Man: So what if there is still a way out, and the person doesn't believe they have one? What do they do?

Mors: As the philosophers Lennous and Mcartnian once wrote, "One must always remember what friendship means, and seek council from those who you treat as so in times of need, as they have sought council in you."

-the man considers for a long while-

Man: I will think on these things for many years to come. Thank you.

-the man bows graciously and leaves. Mors nods after him and returns to his own thoughts-