Reboot

“You ever notice that there are two kinds of people at a party, Archie? People who are positive and people who are negative?” Rourke was talking to his number two, Archie Knowles in his office, which was actually Rourke’s cabin. He had a small private hut to himself.

“Sure,” said Knowles, over-nodding quickly. “I guess”. Archie was a bit like a puppy.

“Imagine a happiness level. Say the starting level is at Zero. OK? You can go below that or above it. Zero would be when no one is there. Then people start coming in. They start drinking and having fun. Discussions begin at various locations in the party. Level goes up, 1-2-3 as they start having fun. Follow?”

“Yes, but..”

“Other people will say things, negative things, like “My husband snores like you wouldn’t believe. Drives me nuts.” Or, “my wife is the worst cook you can imagine. Or: Look at what she’s wearing… Seemingly harmless right? But it’s not, Archie. The happiness level goes down to below zero. Everyone is affected. The whole room is affected.”

“How do you mean? That happens all the time. Hell I do that.”

“I know Archie. That’s why I’m telling you this.”

“Ah, ok”.

“If you look from afar, you’ll notice the entire party being negatively affected by these attacks. These passive aggressive slaps. The room happiness level goes down. You get what I’m sayin’ Archie?

“Not really, um, no”.

“Then on the other side of the room, you’ll have the clown who makes people laugh. Level goes up. A serious respectful discussion around the dining room table. Level goes up. People dancing, level goes up.

The secret to a good party is to keep the level above zero. If it goes too far below, you’ll notice it, people will leave early.”

“Makes sense I suppose”.

“Yes it does Archie. I want to watch what you say around people in the camp, ok? And I want you to look out for others who do the same. I’ll have a talk with them too. I just want you to be careful Archie. We need to stay above zero. Get me?”

“Yes Jack. Sorry Jack.”