Writing Passage [Ensign]

From Stephen King's Insomnia

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"...In reality they just keep coming back, turning in diminishing circles until they finally disappear. Except disappearing isn't really what they do; they dry up like mudpuddles in the sun." McGovern paused then added: "And most of them leave the same scummy residue behind."

"Jesus," Ralph said. "That is cynical."

McGovern shrugged. "Most retired teachers are cynical, Ralph. We see them come in so young and so strong, so convinced that it is going to be different for them, and we see them make their messes and paddle around in them, just as their parents and grandparents did."
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A cynical friend of mine was a high school teacher for a number of months. He could probably attest to this sentiment.