Many years ago I had the closest of friend… we did plenty together almost on a daily basis and understood each other very well. She was married (and still is). Almost everyone that knew us had the same thought: we were having an affair. We weren’t, we never did, but we both really did not to care what others thought or said… and boy did they say a lot. So we at times talked about why people cheat.
We both were of similar thought that cheating is a bad thing. But our reasons why were a little different. I felt she had been cheated on at some point or maybe cheated herself and had experienced the resulting bitterness first hand. “There is absolutely nothing good about cheating” she said. I (being opposed to such qualifiers as nothing, never, always, everything) told her that can’t be true… there must be something “good” about it or otherwise people wouldn’t do it so often. That if you really thought about it you could see the romantic allure of it for people.
My friend insisted there’s absolutely nothing romantic about it… I told her anything could be presented in a romantic, passionate, good light… even that. I asked for an opportunity to show her. After she had confirmed that I wasn’t asking to have an affair with her she agreed.
So people, cheat… I guess for many reasons… pursuit of happiness, pleasure, revenge, boredom, true love? lack of love, self respect? one of them? all of them? more of them?… I don’t know. But what people don’t realize is that if being in a generally acceptable relationship is complicated and difficult, even painful, then the potential for disaster in an affair is jut tremendous. I don’t think that people generally take into account that potential for disaster when they enter an affair.
Subject 008 and 009 both have spouses, children. While I may be tempted to concentrate on helping their families because they’re the ones that would suffer without need because of the subjects actions, I won’t because the Code of Action states that I am to make a difference in the chosen subject’s life not their families. So how do I “help out” the subjects? Do I assist them in their romantic plight for true love? Do I help them learn a more moral way of life?
My married fiend asked me if I was to take all morals away and I was in a relationship would I ever cheat on the girl. I told her if morals are not involve than I would make it a point to make my decisions based on logic, what makes sense. So the answer would be no. With a suspicious look she asked if I being single had the change to have an affair would I do it (no morals involve)? I said again based on logic I would have to say it depends.
She questioned my logic… a few days later I got to “show” her the romantic side of an affair and also explain my logic, while she had no rebuttal and maybe even agreed, she saw me differently from that day on. I asked her: if you take away that learned fear of having an affair, would you cheat or if you were single would you help a guy cheat… she said “it would be very possible” on both accounts.
Morals and fears… what about true love? I think I have an idea for subjects 008 and 009.
