For one thing the people in stories are being faced with way more clear cut problems than we who live in Reality Land. Like whether or not they are going to live out the day. Kind of sharpens your wits a bit wouldn’t you say ? Sort of makes worrying about paying the mortgage a bit on the dull side. As annoying and “sucking the joy out of life” as it is to worry about, it just does not have the “kick” that being pursued by Orks does.
And then we have the relentless concern of being able to pay your property taxes. I mean even Scarlett O’hara was worried about that right ?
But did she have to go out and get a job ? Nope. She yanks the curtains off the windows and sews up a fetching little number to put a twinkle in Rhett’s eye. Now that sounds like a LOT more fun than going down to the local chicken processing plant and filling out an application I’ll tell you.
Also, these characters in fantasy land many times have a well stated purpose that they must accomplish before we can all go get some more Junior Mints in the lobby. This purpose very often has the ultimate fate of the planet, if not the universe planted firmly on our hero’s shoulders. They never have to wonder…”Is this worth DOING ?” This knowledge eliminates a lot of conflicted feelings in our fantasy people. They don’t lie awake at night and wonder if what they are doing MATTERS. Just THINK of the time they save not having to worry about that. Besides, when they do get a chance to rest, they skip the insomnia part and go straight to the coma out of sheer exhaustion. No sleepless nights for them by golly !
And do they have to come up with the money to license and register and insure their automobile ? Nope, just meet up with some grumpy exiled princely types and they will take pity on you and hand over a couple of horses. At least you can have a relationship with a horse… It is so hard to nuzzle up to a car, they just don’t have much personality. Except maybe Pookie the Wonder Car. But how often do you meet a car like THAT ?
I am sure I could think of a few more examples, but I really do have to go and start making dinner. The sun will be down soon and I will be turning off the computer. Be sure and tell me if you see any Orks where you are. I might come on over and we could whack him with a broadsword, and leave his head on a pike for the buzzards.
Or we could really get wild and go pay our bills . . . sigh.
Reality Bytes.