I made the fatal mistake of turning on some easy listening tonight. You'd think by now I would know to avoid stations that play continual love songs at any cost. Once heard the damage is done and the process begins, earlier frustrations flood into a tidepool of nostalgic reveries. The old theory that too much time on your hands promotes thinking is true. Thinking, as we all know brings back memories and memories stir up the sort of emotions you'd rather pretend you'd never had. Afterall, if we can't remember the things that caused us pain, they can never cause us to hurt again. Logical? Perhaps only in a world that begins with once upon a time and ends with happily ever after.

So much for the glass slippers in my ordinary little world.

AND NOW ... Presenting for your viewing entertainment and a nice segway into our next piece ...

The Cinderella Syndrome
Disproving the Fairy Tale

We now continue from where we had previously left off in our last conversation ... (XY denotes a male speaker, notice the indecision right from the get go ...)

XY: That's because you're a cold, cynical harlot who doesn't appreciate a happy ending. ;)

Stacey: LOL ... You dare to compare me to you!

XY: If the shoe fits.

Stacey: I'd be Cinderalla and off living happily ever after with Prince Charming ...

XY: I thought you were anti-sappy.

Stacey: I am ...

XY: Then you should refuse the fairy tale ending.

Stacey: Hmmmm ... Can't you have it without all the sap?

XY: Nope....it is a complete package....all or nothing.

Stacey: Seems to me that is a bit harsh.

XY: Too bad...take it or leave it.

Stacey: No ~ I don't compromise.

XY: Too bad for you then ... No prince charming for you.

Stacey: Prince Charming is hardly an ideal ... After all let's consider a few things. His only criteria for a bride was that she fit a slipper!

XY: On the contrary... His only criteria was that he fell in love at first sight of her, and knew that whoever fit the slipper was the love of his life.

Stacey: BUT think of the odds!!!

XY: What are odds compared to true love?

Stacey: Yes, but had another fit Cinderella's slipper before she had had her turn to try it on, then the shoe size imposter would have been the bride while Cinderella would be still be wearing rags and sweeping up ashes.

XY: HELLO!!!!!! The glass slipper was custom designed by the Fairy godmother!!!!! It wouldn't fit any other person!

Stacey: So you are saying that magic wouldn't let the whole thing be screwed up?

XY: That's one way to look at it.

Stacey: But you are forgetting that the magic gave out at midnight ... Hence the coach to a pumpkin and the horses to mice!

XY: The magic was only a means to enable the two lovers to meet each other.....once that was done....true love took over. Besides, if the magic truly dispersed at midnight..why did the slipper linger?

Stacey: The slipper was an afterthought, another chance for redemption should Prince Charming muck it all up (which he did) ... LUCKILY, the fairy Godmother (being a woman and a wise one at that) decided to throw in a freebie! However it didn't lessen the odds for mistaken identity

XY: There was no chance of mistaken identity.....every woman in the village tried it on.....it fit only one person!!!

Stacey: How do you know that?? Maybe she was only the second stop on the shoe fitting adventure? Maybe he never even made it down to the baker's daughter, so she could give it a try!!!!

XY: Incorrect.....He tried everyone....He was loath to visit Cinderella's house, cuz he thought it was only the hideous step sisters...he wanted to avoid it if possible.

Stacey: Seems to me Prince Charming isn't so nice ...

XY: He's very nice. He invited them to the ball and allowed them to try on the slipper didn't he?

Stacey: Did you just say allowed?

XY: Correct!

Stacey: HUMPH!!!!

XY: And now, I must make some dinner.....I only wish I could have cereal....but alas it's not to be.

Stacey: Later Valiant ...

** Story ended abruptly because XY participant knew he was about to be proven wrong ... Typical. **