Michael Holden's All ears

Even in pubs where football is not shown, the miasma of related popular opinion still wafts under the door. Drinker 1 "Seen the octopus on the TV?" Drinker 2 (sarcastic) "You mean Paul?" Drinker 1 "Eh?" Drinker 2 "The fucking World Cup octopus, it's called Paul." Drinker 1 "You've seen it, then?" Drinker 2 (annoyed) "'Course I've seen it." Drinker 1 "What do you reckon to it?" Drinker 2 (joking again) "I reckon it knows exactly what's it doing; it knows exactly what's going on. It's fucking laughing at us." Drinker 1 (as if regarding something sublime) "It picks the winners …" Drinker 2 "After careful consideration?" Drinker 1 (attentive to his companion's disdain) "It's just a bit of fun, you know?" Drinker 2 "You think you're any different, the decisions you make? 'Oh, I'll have another pint of lager.' You think you've got the edge on Paul?" Drinker 1 "How do you mean?" Drinker 2 "I mean we're no better. Stick a thing in a jar and give it an option; everybody thinks it's hilarious. And if they're laughing then they can forget they're in a jar of their own." Drinker 1 (missing the point and trying to keep things amiable) "It has its own tank." Drinker 2 (hostile) "How's your tank?" Drinker 1 "Eh?" Drinker 2 (catching himself) "Forget it, I got carried away." Drinker 1 "It's just a bit of fun, you know?" Drinker 2 (unamused) "Yeah, I can see that now."