Two Strangers Meet

Two strangers meet on a path that both well know but neither before have ever said hello. Person 1: Hello comrade! Person 2: You assume too much. I dont even think I like you. P1: Is it so hard to greet your fellow man? P2: No, but it is hard for me to aquiesce to your cordiality. (It's not natural) P1: I'm not being cordial, I'm being human. P2: Once again you flaunt your humanity. Weare all despicable beasts in God's zoo. P1: That's a disturbing picture, friend. P2: Not so disturbing as it is real. Just have to get used to it. P1: I know what your problem is, you cannot trust anyone. P2: I trust people, I just dont trust the devil inside them. P1: And why are you so sure the devil isnt walking beside him? P2: Then I guess I'm on the wrong path after all. (Sometimes I wonder I'm not in Hell already) P1: No. I can tell you for certain that you are on the right one, the narrow one, because you met me, brother. P2: I am not your brother. I dont even know your name. P1: Forgive me, mine is Gabriel. What is yours? P2: It's Ragan. Now that we've introduced ourselves, let's skip to the conclusion and get on with my life. Gabriel: Ah but that is precisely the reason people rush through without looking back, without taking time to make sure they're on the right road, just to know how it turns out? Ragan: They just dont like to be surprised. Gabriel: But if i told you that the gods envy you for possessing the rarest of spices - chance. Ragan: Are you a god? Gabriel: See, their lives are predetermined from start to finish which is a conundrum in itself since they are immortal too. Quite drab, actually. Ragan: But are you a god? Gabriel: No but then I'm not like you specifically either. Ragan: No one is. Gabriel: (laughs) Now you're getting into the spirit. Ragan: Yes, I admit I have forgotten how to get into the spirit. Gabriel: You havent forgotten; its preoccupation. Ragan: Yea, with life. How ironic. Gabriel: No, with finding a means to an end. But, I tell you, if you spent as much time looking for the means as most people search for the end, then well . . . Ragan: Uhh . . . yea. I suppose you're right. Hey, "friend" (he tries out the new word like some new toy) you wouldnt know how to get to the future, would you? Gabriel: You're walking on it. Ragan: Ahh. I can . . . I can see yesterday's tomorrow from here. Gabriel: I shall always be able to find you there, my brother, from end to end no distance can blind our hearts. And then the two strangers parted, not merely friends, but as brothers.