Don't let these tattoos fool you. I'm straight edged. I'm a man of great discipline. It means I'm drug free, alcohol free, and better than you.

I grew up with an alcoholic father. He never beat me, he never raised a hand against my mother or anything like that, but I'd seen enough stupid and ridiculous things between that, my mother and her prescription pills, and just hanging out with an older crowd when I was a kid, that I didn't understand a lot about the fun of partying. So I just never did it.

I didn't understand waking up next to somebody you don't remember going to bed with; I didn't understand getting, you know, blackout drunk and not remembering the good times you had with your buddies; and I feel so strongly about it that I've just always been this way. It's just made sense.

But I would much rather be hated for who I am, than loved for something that I am not and sometimes it's what you don't do, that makes you who you are.Funny that, isn't it?

It's something a lot of people fail to realise around here, whether that be through choice or ignorance. Still, don't you forget. Sometimes it's what you don't do, that makes you who you are.

Punk, to be completely honest here, I was not quite sure where you were going with this speech, but it all concluded rather nicely, I have come to find out while sometimes it is what you don't do that makes one whom they are, it is also sometimes what you do, that makes you who you are. I've seen some make poor and rash decisions. Never thinking about how their choices may affect others in the long run, because they simply did not care. So, yeah it is sometimes what you don't do, but more often then not its what you do, do that makes the difference.

R2D2, I think that goes without saying and yet in many ways is the point I was trying to make.

It is obvious when one makes a decision to do something. It is visible and it has consequences. More often than not, it has consequences for those around you. It can be seen. It can be felt. It can be experienced. Those affected know a decision has been made as they are subject to the ramifications of such. If you were to know my father, you'd know why I believe this to be true...

When you choose to do nothing though, the impact is not always as clear - unless a blatant act of cowardice of course. After all, there are few sins worse than doing nothing, when something must be done. When that rash decision you talk of is being made, would you be aware if the person decided to do nothing instead of acting? Had they decided not to pull the trigger, life would in all likelihood have continued as before. 

It is these decisions, and sometimes what you don't do, that makes you who you are. 

Punk, to be blunt, I'm Straight Edge in terms of my current life choices, but definitely not the type of Straight Edge that feels defined by anything.  And I don't preach, Hell, I don't even recommend it.

But it works for me... 

What's defines you Kuku? What makes you who you are? What do you recommend to the pass the day?

If it works for me, and some version of it works for you, heck, why doesn't it work for everybody?

IbrahimAlHulandi nodded as R2D2 replied to Punk on how important one's actions are. He stepped forward and replied to Punk.

Isn't what you do also part of being you, Punk? I am sorry to hear about your parents abuse of substances, but that doesn't mean people that go to a bar for a drink and to have a social spending of their time always lose control of who they are.
True, some people take it too far, but it's all about self control. Maybe for you it works to not do stuff, but personally I don't see the perks of being a wall flower.

Ibi looks questioning at Punk to observe if there actually is a correlation between his reply and Punk's intentions for the discussion.

Ibi smiled as Punk's eyes glistened whilst replying. It already had made little sense to IbrahimAlHulandi that someone would speak up to say they would not speak up. Ibrahim himself couldn't help but smile and nod when Punk talked about the interpretation of interpretation of language. Ibi felt Punk's interpretation of language was hitting the nail on it's head.

First of all.. I love creating time for tea, although it's coffee I drink then. Further, I love rabbits. I even know some tricks on how to make them appear.
Whilst he said that, he made a mental note to finally go and visit his Magic & Massage saloon in Chicago again.

To be honest, I was just surprised to hear what I thought I heard, but after your reply I should rewind the words in my head to find the hidden message that I have overlooked at first.

Standing there, Ibi was wondering whether Punk or @IbrahimaAlHulandi is confusing him at the moment and took a breath for all of the pieces of the puzzle to land.. He continued

Well.. from your appearance here, I can tell you aren't that drunk you hint to possibly be. Which makes it even more likely that you are not talking about bad lifestyles, or staying invisible, but are criticizing individuals that pretend to be who they are not. Am I getting close?

Tammy stands nearby, watching the young man stand by his words and address the challenges to his statement. It was good to see people bringing fresh and thought provoking material to the public, especially when it not only triggered a debate, but gave insight into their characteristics, too. She approached him from behind and placed a hand on the shoulder of their recent new face, smiling warmly.

"Evenin' my friend, it's good ta' see you're not shy about the streets."

She nods a greeting to the other participants gathered.

"What I enjoy most about your words is the conviction in your belief and the passion of their delivery. You strongly feel 'dat you are on the path which will benefit you most durin' your life in this word. It's admirable, as I doubt you will waver from that, and we can expect great things from you, as it is a strong and healthy path ta' be on.

"From sobriety comes and sharp mind, quick wits and much less chance you're gonna' shoot ya'self in the foot or somethin'. These attributes are the effects of the path you've chosen, though I would not limit your opinion or expectations of others based on this approach. Inebriation has a large impact on the fight or flight instinct, it's also a great bondin' opportunity."

She looks toward Ibi, briefly considering his thoughts.

"And if you're out here ta' make more than a statement on your own person approach, I think it's a bold move, and a creative way ta' go about it."

Ibi, if I may call you that? I feel almost offended that you'd suggest I'm being misleading. The rabbit hole analogy is simply my favourite quote from Alice in Wonderland - a book I'd strongly recommend reading. Admittedly, most gangsters struggle with literature, and might I suggest that that may be why they struggle so much with the concept of sobriety. With that being said, I know you meant no harm by your words, and I can tell you have an inquisitive mind. All I will say is that even the biggest lie, holds some truth. If my words have made you think about this society a little differently to how you did before, then perhaps they have achieved their only purpose. Who knows? I will leave you to decide.

Freddie grinned at IbrahimAlHulandi and turned to TabithaGato.

Such kind words Tammy - I thank you. However, I will make no apologies for my feelings about those that shun the straight edge lifestyle.

The reason I hate these people, the reason in my heart of hearts as to why I hate these people, is that I did not know any better when I was a little kid. When my dad came home smelling like beer. I thought it was a hard day’s work he was doing. I did not realize he was out at a bar. I did not realise ‘work’ meant ‘unemployment office.’ I did not think it was strange for someone to come home and take an Old Style up into the bathroom. I did not think it was strange for somebody to pass out. I thought an Old Style, a pack a day, was the norm.

I'd say I wish you or others no offence, but like I said, I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for something I am not.

IbrahimAlHulandi sees @TabithGato's look and wondered how obviously puzzled he was looking himself. After she and Punk seemed to twist the topic back to what the topic actually was really about, Ibi had totally lost track.

Ibi quickly put down the copies of The Brothers Karamazov and The Sorrows of Young Werther, he has been holding under is arm, grabbed a pencil and a notepad, tried to remember what Frrr Punk said and quickly wrote down Rabbit in Wonderland as something he would have to find in a library soon.

Yes, yes, sure, call me Ibi.. Or Ibrahim, Or AlHulandi, or IbrahimAlHulandi, or just shout hey! All are fine.

You sure did that, Punk.. And yes, you have achieved that purpose. Even if it was unintended, I feel that íf it was unintentional, it was the intentional kind of unintended, if you understand what I mean..?

Are you sure you will let me draw my own conclusion for myself?

Ibi felt like needing a drink to think this through..

Punk smiled at Ibi.

Make of this conversation what you will my friend, but try not to think about it too much. For all you know, these were the ramblings of a mad man...

Punk picked up Ibi's copy of The Brothers Karamazov and examined it closely.

Ah, my father's death... Now there's an interesting conversation...