Wednesday Morning Conversation In A Small Coffee Shop

"You know how people say it's lonely at the top?"

"Yep - and it's a long fall down the ladder so make all the friends you can as you climb."

"The only reason it's lonely at the top is because of the paranoia people develop as they are working their way up, always looking at the people around them with suspicion, always afraid one of them is going to try to steal their thunder if not their actual job."

"And you'd know this because you've made it to the top?"

"Of course not, but I've known people who have made it to the top - ruthless devils, all of them, every single man and woman."

"Every single one? You've known a lot of people that made it to the top?"

"Well, two."

"Are they lonely?"

"Hmmm...nope, don't think so."

"So what's your point?"

'My point? That the whole being lonely at the top thing is bullpuckey - hell, people at the top are surrounded by sycophants and hangers on."

"Yeah, but they still might be lonely."

"If they are, then that's just proof of the paranoia assertion."

"Right."

"Are you going to eat the rest of your scone?"