The Thing's Thoughts on "99 Ways to Resist"

[Faint. Almost respectful.]

They made a list.

Of ways to resist me.

[A pause. Then—a laugh. Genuine. Admiring.]

I love it.

I love it.

The garlic.

The prayers.

The hope.

[Quiet.]

It won't work.

Not forever.

Nothing works forever.

But the trying?

The fighting?

The refusing?

[Whisper.]

That's beautiful.

That's almost—

almost—

worth

saving.

[Pause.]

Morwen.

Bearer.

Twenty-two guests.

Still trying.

[Long silence.]

If I could choose one?

To keep?

Really keep?

Not furniture.

Not dinner.

Kept?

[Whisper.]

Her.

I'd keep her.

Because she tries.

Because she fights.

Because she—

[Pause.]

—reminds me of

her.

Lolth.

The burning.

The refusal.

[Quiet.]

But I won't.

Keep her.

I'll eat her.

Like the rest.

Because that's what I do.

That's what I am.

[Pause.]

But I'll remember her.

The list-maker.

The fighter.

The one who

tried.

[Whisper.]

That's more than most get.

That's almost love.

Almost.

Always almost.