Fear has a long history, and the idea of control-by-fear has a history that’s only five minutes less than that. Keeping control of a pack of hominids by being the biggest and nastiest was a simple step and an easy one to cope with. Everyone knew who the biggest and nastiest one was and everyone knew to keep on his good side. Nothing devious or sneaky required by Big’n’Nasty, although underlings might engage in sneakiness to get their own way without being battered. Big’n’Nasty ruled by fear.

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Dear Reader, it appears Madam X Secretary approved the meme…

*I saw that story yesterday, Clicky… Posted… /knot-eyes… of it with Red Frank… Very sad…*

*/squints… ‘K, Oz…. /scans… More tragedy… Hugo sent me that story on DM this morning, Clicky…*

*Yeah, another popular music star bites the dust in 20H+H… Again… /knot-eyes… on MEROVEE yesterday…*

*/:O… Yes, I opened the box… Clicky! /stern squint… They’re nearly 20 years old now… /wrestles with beastly assistant… Stop it! Don’t you dare…*

*/Turns purple… Cade’s right – you are a shithead, Clicky!*

*You wouldn’t! I told him that in confidence… /wrestles some more… I don’t care what kind of fucking freaky-work-based friendship you struck up with Leggy under Dume… Stop. It. Now…*

*/explodes with cold rage… I’m going to fucking kill you!! …/lunges…*

*/Grabs book… Now swim…*

 

*/Points finger… And don’t even fink about leaving a S…*