Title: Frank and the Crypto-Fascist’s “Debate”
Scene: A dusty, rundown diner at the edge of town. Frank is sitting at a booth, eating his usual plate of fries. Enter the Crypto-Fascist, wearing a poorly tailored suit and carrying a stack of pamphlets with slogans like "Restoring Order to Society" and "Make Society Great Again." He sits down across from Frank, who doesn’t look up from his meal.
Crypto-Fascist (slamming his pamphlets on the table, eyes gleaming with a fervour): "Frank, you know what this country needs? A little order, a little discipline, a return to traditional values. The whole system’s corrupt, but we’ve got the power to fix it. We just need people like you—people who are ready to stand up and take charge."
Frank (barely looking up, taking a slow bite of fries): "Oh, yeah? What’s your plan, then? Gonna paint all the walls white and start yelling at people who aren’t properly conforming? Maybe put all the dissidents in the basement and play some Wagner? That usually does the trick, right?"
Crypto-Fascist (grinning broadly): "Exactly! You see the vision, Frank! We need a strong, unified society, free of the chaos that modern liberalism has caused. We need to purge the weak, eliminate the distractions, and restore a sense of order to our world. What do you say, Frank? You in?"
Frank (leaning back in his seat, sipping his drink): "Let me get this straight—your big plan to ‘restore order’ is to make everything exactly like the worst part of 1950s TV? Yeah, that’ll go over well. All you need is a giant flag, a brass band, and a nice, big, comfy chair to sit in while you tell everyone what to do."
Crypto-Fascist (clearly not picking up on Frank’s sarcasm, nodding fervently): "Exactly! You understand! We’re gonna take this country back from the chaos and put things right again. Think of the stability, the unity, the power!"
Frank (pausing for dramatic effect, then taking another slow bite): "Power, huh? Yeah, 'cause nothing says stability like a bunch of guys in suits marching around and shouting slogans. It’s not like you’re asking people to pick up a broom and actually do something, are you? Nah, better to just talk about how you’re going to clean up society while everyone else cleans up the mess you make."
Crypto-Fascist (frowning, clearly confused by Frank’s tone): "I’m talking about real change, Frank! We need people like you, with the courage to take a stand and defend our future. I’m not talking about doing nothing. I’m talking about action!"
Frank (leaning in now, his voice turning mockingly serious): "Action? Oh, you mean marching around and pointing fingers? Yeah, that’s real action. You know what would be real action? Telling people to stop being idiots and maybe take care of their own mess instead of blaming the world for their problems. But sure, I’ll join your revolution if it involves a lot of shouting and no actual work."
Crypto-Fascist (growing more irritated): "You don’t understand! This isn’t just talk. This is the beginning of a movement! We’re building something, Frank. Something huge. A return to power, to greatness!"
Frank (eyes narrowing as he leans even further forward, his voice dripping with disdain): "A return to greatness, huh? What, are you gonna bring back powdered wigs and horse-drawn carriages while you’re at it? Maybe we can all just walk around in sandals and tunics like it’s ancient Rome. That’ll really solve all the problems, won’t it?"
Crypto-Fascist (pausing, looking disoriented): "I… I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is about creating a world where people can feel proud again, where there’s no confusion, no chaos. It’s about purity, Frank."
Frank (chuckling bitterly): "Purity? You want purity? That’s the last thing we need. We need mess, we need chaos, we need to stop pretending that if we all look the same and think the same, everything’s going to magically get better. You think wearing the same suit and waving the same flag is going to make the world a better place? Please."
Crypto-Fascist (clenching his fists, getting red in the face): "You’re missing the point! This isn’t about looking the same! This is about saving our culture, about restoring order, about making things right again!"
Frank (rolling his eyes, standing up to leave): "Yeah, I’m sure the world’s gonna be really saved when we all start marching around with flags and yelling slogans. But, hey, good luck with that. I’ll be here, eating fries and watching this great society you’re planning crumble while I’m laughing from the sidelines."
(Frank walks out of the diner, leaving the Crypto-Fascist fuming at the table, while the other diners give each other nervous glances.)
End Scene
