"THE BIG CITY FABULISTS" in "THE WORDPLAY WARRIOR: The Plot Pieces Called 'Life' "

We all have met these people in big cities. Perhaps, at some point in our lives, we have been the same too.

We all know them. They can be blood-related or friends. They can also be acquaintances – or just some new, rising local celebrities dying to impress all too quickly.

Whoever they are to us, the pattern is there. How they try to always look oh-so-presentable and act so nice at first. Their fancy clothes, premium taste in almost…everything in life. They will tell you that they can’t have it less. It’s the kind of lifestyle they’d like to hang on to – one way or another.

There’s nothing wrong with living the high-life. I’m not a hypocrite; I’d love that too for myself, as long as possible. It’s much more comfortable.

However, that only works if you can really afford it. Otherwise, we always know how it turns out in the end.

You’ll only make a fool of yourself. Even worse, you may also hurt other people in the process. Then again, perhaps it’s always been your insecurity. Please, don’t even blame this big city. That excuse is too old and lame.

If you feel that your looks is not that lovely, there’s always a much simpler way to overcome that issue. If you can’t make that not an issue (especially since society has always been so vain and judgmental), then smile more and be kinder to people.

No? You don’t think you’re ugly? Good. That’s the confidence everyone should have. Screw beauty standard!

However, the real tough challenge is actually your personality. Sorry for being blunt here, but it’s true. For starters, I never believe in anyone who dares claim themselves a good person. We all can do that if we want to.

Still, it’s impossible to avoid vanity when doing so.

How do you know you’re a good person? News flash: you don’t.You can only try to be one. You may claim you’re a nice person and some people will try to take an advantage of you. In the end, your attitude towards others is the benchmark.

Being a fabulist is an exhausting job. You’re bound to always pretend and lie, possibly for the rest of your lives. You lie, cheat, and manipulate. You exploit people. You have masks over your real face. You (have to) make sure you keep up with such a false appearance. Anything for their love for the person you’d die to be instead of the real you.

You can also go as far as badmouthing your victims, just so they won’t talk. In your twisted mind, you can never be wrong. You’re always the victim.

They’re supposed to understand you, including why you do what you do. Selfish? No, you’re just being realistic. It’s all about what you need.

It’s all about survival. People might want to do whatever you ask – or demand – them to do. You may dismiss them all you like, once they no longer serve your purposes. It doesn’t matter that you hurt them that way. It’s all about you, not them.

Not anyone.

All fabulists are excellent storytellers. They’ll always find a way to charm you – one way or another. Only the skeptics second-guess their motives. Great stories, but how believable are they?

R.