Re: [Boating: Hugh and Atticus]
"Think we can always communicate better. Difficult, as a concept. What we think might not always come across. What they think might not always come across. Words are all we really have. Sometimes they don't do the job very well." Was a big admission for someone so invested in writing and communicating via words and ideas. But could admit that it wasn't always ideal. "Learning from things is crucial. Was terrible at it for a long time. Still am. Easier to just shake my head and walk away, but not the wisest thing to do."
Chuckled. "Feels like an X-File. There's a reference I get. Always liked Scully and Mulder." Shook his head. "Not aliens. Think it's just restless spirits down there. People like to say ghosts and haunts and poltergeists want to be helped. Want to be found and properly buried, for example, but don't think that's true. Want to live. Haunts, that's the key. They don't want to be dead." Said it as if he was talking about the price of milk at the market. No big deal. Nothing special. But he'd break into that base eventually. Didn't think he'd learn anything he didn't already know from his radio conversations with the island ghosts, but boredom was an impressive motivator for lazy men.
The boat shifted and headed, like butter, toward the dock, and Atticus motioned for Hugh to switch with him. Wasn't that he didn't trust the guy, but he, Atticus, could only come near the farpoint of the dock. Couldn't make shore, even if the sailboat's narrow bottom could easily handle the shallows.
Once he was back with the rudder in hand, he grinned. "Definitely a balance. That's the thing with sailboats. Have to feel the elements more than with other types of boats." Even with his lazy inflection, was clear Atticus enjoyed the boat. "Have we convinced you to invest?" he asked.