There we were, a bunch of young, fresh-faced kids. Always aware that we were 'representing the seed,' always aware of the image we projected. Anything but a smile would be frowned upon (pun), anything but a straight-forward look in the eye (only druggies cast their gaze downward). Not afraid of hard work we work forever, we're changing the world! (But to what? We never asked - asking would be treason). Blind faith, blind loyalty, absolute trust in those who 'know better.' Those who had the most street cred, and who had the bestest transformative story, and the ablility to guide (or manipulate) others, might make staff. It helped to be attractive too, never hurts in this world or others. But anyway, making staff was something every good Seedling aspired too.
When good staff went bad - and they did - you might never hear from them again. Ray K. dates Laura? Art no like. So, Ray is persona non grata, and he 'flips,' paints grafitti all over, drives by the seed shouting. Those of us in the loyal camp tried to look the other way, but it's hard to say that someone who yesterday was a revered inner circle confidant is now a crazy loser. This creates conflict within the mind and heart of the seed person, who has to become good at looking the other way.
What is real, what is fake? It's hard to know when you are strucuturing your reaction to the world based upon what you are told to do.
Loyalty that goes beyond what is in your own heart - never again!
Someday a reunion of all former Seedlings - can you see it? What has become of us, a strange bond of strangers, 'Art's Army' gone AWOL.
