I wanted to post this under The Storyteller thread, but that thread is unfortunately expired (more than a year ago).
My point was that Norm is the storyteller on the train, and we are the kids in that story. Because the very good little girl was eaten by the wolf, betrayed by the clinking of her medals for goodness, "It was the most beautiful story I ever 'eard".
The rest of the world is like the Aunt in that story, trying to get us to live right and believe right, that there is a proper explanation for everything, and everything therefore must have a proper explanation. Life is a string of proper explanations, and if you're the explainer-in-chief, well then, you get to be Auntie.
But to create your own lingua joculara is to create something "horribly good". Pink drool from a juicy little clown nose - didn't you just know that baby clown noses taste like cherries?
Well it isn't proper, but it's real in the profound way that can only be described by things which make no sense, such as the fact that as many children are traumatized by clowns as entertained. (And that predates Heath Ledger.)
This was an 'orribly good story. Saki would have applauded.
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am