Just finished Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Man and theres so much I want to ask Sheriff Bell:
Sheriff, thanks for your time tonight.
I got nothin but time, son. That and Loretta's cookin.
You're enjoying retirement then?
It is quiet for sure. Now that I'm done not sure why I wanted to be a lawman in the first place. Wanted to make a difference 'suppose.
You did make quite a difference. No murders went unsolved in Terrell County for 41 years .
Silence and a steady gaze.
You don't look like you're mockin me but you don't seem entirely sincere neither. What is it that's on your mind son?
It's just that... I'm not too sure myself. I have a friend who was just deported to Mexico as I was finishing your story. Do you still read the news, Sheriff?
I managed without for a month or two. Recon old habits die hard as they say. Sorry about your friend, but the law is the law, son.
Do you really mean that? I would have thought after... I mean, isn't that why you hung it up? There are things that our laws just can't deal with. You said yourself, there won't be an end to the drug wars until we stop buying dope from Mexico.
First off, I quit because I'm old. Gimme a GPS and a taser and I still think like I'm livin in the 50's. This here country's problems need new minds. I sure ain't got it figured.
If I really thought you believed that I wouldn't be here tonight. Your insights are spot-on. The new minds still haven't gotten around to what you said about drugs -- they just bring more guns.
That's what this is about? Drugs? The law? Your friend? Pick a topic now.
All of it I suppose. He's trying to get back to his friends and family here in Austin, which involves paying off the coyotes. Which makes him a live target from both sides as soon as he gets near the border. So I tell him no, stay put, but that makes him a target for cartel recruiting. It's all related, you know? Do you think of these things when you made those arrests?
Every time. Your friend sounds harmless enough so I probably wouldn't have booked him. But then the old boys in my days didn't carry no MAC-9's. The man who arrested him was just doin his job son, it's all any of us can do.
I am not blaming the law, Sheriff. Or at least the officer. And please, stop taking the old man clause and tell me what you really think about our border these days.
Sigh.
Alright. I admit I still wake Loretta up puzzlin the news in the middle of the night. Sorry but I got no answers for you. Best I can figure we're nearing the end times. If we're lucky them old boys will kill themselves off if we hunker down long enough. Do you believe in God, son?
I do. What you just said sounds like CS Lewis, evil consumes itself, Mere Christianity I think. Even if that's true doesn't it seem like a cop out to you?
Never heard of 'em. And it ain't a cop out if it's true. At least it should give you some hope, that and judgment day.
That's true, and they do. But that's really all we can do? Sit and wait?
You can mind your business. Tell your wife you love her, and listen to what she tells ya. Help your friend, but don't ever think you're above the law, you ain't that smart or that rich. If you don't like the law then change it, go vote or something.
Thanks Sheriff, but I see it's past midnight and I've kept you long enough.
Anytime son, you got my number. Don't be a stranger, hear?
