Epzo, Graham and others in “The Ghost Monument”

I don’t need other people.

We all need other people, mate.

We’re all alone. That’s how we start, and end, and its the natural state of all points in between.

Were you born that miserable, or did you have to work at it?

You know, when I was four my mum told me to climb a tree. She made me climb until I was too scared to climb any higher. Then she told me to jump into her arms. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m your mum. I’m here for you. I’ll catch you.” So I jumped. And she moved out of the way.

What?

Sorry, did you say your mum did this to you?

Smashed into the ground, smashed this arm, shattered that ankle. And she stood over me and she said, “Now you’ve learned. You can never trust anyone in this life.”

That is messed up.

Best thing she ever did for me. I loved my mum.

[sarcastically] Yeah, she sounds terrific.

Your mum was wrong. We’re stronger together.