The Familiar

"Cut me some slack with the Mr. Chips routine," said DJ. "If you won't say it, Coach, I will. You started this fencing team because living here in Edwards was starting to drive you nuts. It's OK, Coach, we understand, we're itching to get out of here as well. Happens all the time -- people move here, thinking they're gonna get away from it all, and the slower pace of life is a welcome relief for a while, but then they realize that, guess what, they have gotten away from it all -- everything! And then this town doesn't look quaint and tranquil anymore, it's quiet, boring, not like anything you've ever experienced before. But you're not like most people who move here, you've got a good job, one you want to hold on to, one you don't think you can beat somewhere else. But how can you stay here without driving yourself crazy? Why, you try to bring in something from your past, something that makes this world seem more like the one you came from. You're making yourself a home with this fencing team, Coach -- and that's cool, because we love it, and we think you're great. But please, don't start with this pious stuff about doing it for us, because you're doing it for yourself."