Page 94 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove
“Furthermore, the claim that inner beauty deepens with time only holds if you believe the passage of time automatically makes us better people. There is no correlation between those things. In fact, we would argue it’s actually more difficult to remain a good person over time than it is to succumb to corruption. And while thatdoesmake a lasting impression, it’s probably not the one Side Proposition intended.”
Isaac rolls his eyes. TJ hopes the judges caught it.
“The next flaw,” Charlie continues, “is the assumption that outer beautymustfade eventually. Allow me to remind you that Side Proposition defined outer beauty simply as how someone looks on the outside. Which means we’re not only talking about the superficial here, but also things about them that might not change at all.”
TJ sees where he’s going, and this time she can’t help but smile. He’s using the vagueness of the Turners’ own definitions against them.
“Think about the people you love and what about their appearance is most appealing. I bet it’s not their lack of wrinkles. No, it’s the sound of their laugh. The way they tap their pen against their lips when they’re thinking. The way their eyes sparkle. All these things are expressions of their personality that you can only observe from the outside. And none ofthatwill go away.”
Finished with his rebuttal, Charlie moves on to his own contentions. TJ tenses. This first one is risky.
“Evolutionarily,” he says, “it makes sense that outer beauty would be appealing. Think about what people needed back in the days when the number one priority was passing your genes down to the next generation. For example, broad shoulders in men implied strength, which can be passed down to offspring and used to protect them. Wide hips in women implied a better chance for healthy childbearing. It’s all science.”
Jenna stands up immediately on that one. “Is Side Opposition not aware we don’t still live in our caveman days when those things mattered?”
A few titters from the audience. Charlie shrugs. “I’m just commenting on the fact that, unfortunately, these things still play a psychological role in our lives. We’re not debating whether inner beautyshouldbe more important than outer beauty, we’re debating whether itis. We may have moved past our uncivilized days, but there’s parts of that psyche that remain. I’m not endorsing it. In fact, I’d say it, along with most vestiges left over from our ‘caveman days,’ doesn’t have a place in a modern society. And yet, it’s still ingrained in us. That’s the reality that Side Proposition is ignoring in favour of their fictional utopia where the most powerful thing is someone’s personality. And therefore, it’simportant.”
Jenna sits, her lips thin. Charlie’s on fire.
Still, TJ can tell the audience hasn’t bought what Charlie’s selling. The judges haven’t, either. It’s simply not a very feel-good argument. If Charlie is the harsh reality, TJ will have to be the feel-good.
Charlie rounds off his arguments, and right before Rajan holds up thePROTECTED TIMEcard again, Isaac stands up fast, his chair screeching back. Charlie pauses in speaking for just a moment, clearly taken aback:
“Yes, I—I—I—I’ll take a question.”
No. TJ bites back a sigh. He already took two. And protected time was about to start. Now he’s gone rigid, because he stuttered, and Isaac seems to know it.
Isaac tilts his head back, considering his former best friend for a long moment. TJ almost wonders if he had a question at all, or just wanted to poke at Charlie’s confidence. “What does Side Opposition believe long-lasting marriages are based on?”
Charlie is silent for a moment longer than necessary. That’s a difficult question to answer without sounding like an asshole, given his contention about the evolutionary significance of certain physical features.
“Would you like me to rephrase the question?” Isaac asks innocently.
“W-w-w—” Charlie stops and takes a deep breath.
“Does Side Opposition not agree that long-lasting marriages are based on meshing personalities, not looks?” Isaac says, his voice sharp.
TJ sits there, willing Charlie to continue. But she can tell he’s blocking again.
The seconds tick by. Someone in the audience coughs.
Isaac says, “I can always rephrase again.”
His voice is light and friendly for the judges. TJ knows better, though. And she wants to drop-kick him into the sun.
But maybe this was what Charlie needed, because she can practically feel the fury rolling off him. It doesn’t come out in his voice, though. “If inner qualities are so important to Side Proposition, I—I—I’d suggest they learn patience.”
He smiles while he says it, even through his stutter. There are a few laughs from the audience. The moment is effectively skated over. Charlie goes on.
“W-what Side Opposition would say is, while long-lasting marriages may have an element of meshing personalities, chances are that isn’t what initially attracted that couple to each other. Some outer characteristic must have been compelling, too. We would say this is the fundamental difference between them being friends and them being a couple.”
He’s gained back that measured rhythm to his words again, and he goes on to wrap up his speech with his typical dramatic flair.
When he sits, she’s so damnproudof him that she leans over and whispers, “Nailed it.”
He turns to her, their shoulders brushing. “I didn’t believe a word of what I said in my answer to Isaac, to be clear.”
It wouldn’t be the first time they argued something they didn’t actually believe for the sake of a debate. In this case, though, she’s not sure she understands. “What do you mean?”