Another one, very different from the rest. Please forgive some random background sounds. I pre-wrote the first third of this to make sure I hit all the beats of Al’s story. Then I move on to my open reflections.
I hope Al’s being/story is interesting and helpful to you!
Some quotes from the episode:
Al is always laughing. What he’s doing doesn’t really matter. He’s laughing at his friends, he’s laughing at his enemies. He’s laughing at someone loving him as much as someone hating him. In his world, there aren’t many circumstances where laughter is inappropriate.
My mother had many partners while Al was growing up, and I’m sure most of them saw him as a little shit, a Damien, a Beaver Cleaver.
He became the leader of a motley crew very quickly. He wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but those that liked his flavor, he was like a demigod. The most fascinating aspect of it was the diversity of people that flocked to him.
He showed love unlike anyone else. Somehow, with every joke he made about my looks or behavior, with every shove, nose-pull and aggressive head rub, I felt his love—he saw me as family and cared about me.
He was so different. There’s not many people comfortable enough to play that part, to be silly while also keeping steady and powerful in himself…no one could laugh at him, because to him, everyone was laughing with him.
Albert was a jester without a king, in a society that didn’t appreciate him..society didn’t know how to use him.
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