Drive-by
September 7th, 2020
Starring: A and B
Morning, B’s house. The doorbell rings. B answers, revealing A. On the street, A’s car is still running:
A
Morning.
B
Well well, what a nice surprise. Everything ok?
A
No yeah I’m fine!
B
Do you wanna to come in?
A
No, no, this will be quick, I actually got a thing.
B
Sure, what’s up?
A
Quick ethical question.
B
Oh, ok. I’m all ears.
A
If I have someone in my life who I used to enjoy, but I don’t anymore and they don’t know it, and I know if I told them directly they couldn’t handle it, do you think it’s ethical to tell them, but not tell them directly?
…
B
Hm.
Well at first thought it sounds kind of cowardly.
...
But as I’m thinking about it, if you feel this person really is going to be unstable as a result of you telling them directly, then you are actually acting with the person’s best interests in mind. The key is making sure your indirect expression of not liking the person is eventually understood by the person, indirectly.
A
Right, so…
B
So...if you’re asking me...yes.
To me, that’s ethical.
A
You have no idea how helpful that is. Thank you.
A checks their watch/phone.
Oh snap, I gotta go.
Talk soon?
B
Sure, no prob.
A
See ya!
A gets into the car and drives off. B watches A go. B thinks, then freezes.
B
Wait
Wait am
Am I the…?
…
…
…
Wow.
Woooooooooooow.