Suitable Surroundings

too many times i've heard people say that they were not frightened by a scary movie or scary game. when did you play/watch it, i ask. they usually respond as i suspected; during daylight in a non conducive to fear atmosphere. real good. that'll work just fine.

following is an excerpt from the story The Suitable Surroundings from one of my favorite authors, Ambrose Bierce.

"Well! Has the reader no duties corresponding to his privileges? You have paid five cents for that newspaper. It is yours. You have the right to read it when and where you will. Much of what is in it is neither helped nor harmed by time and place and mood; some of it actually requires to be read at once - while it is fizzing. But my story is not of that character. It is not `the very latest advices' from Ghost-land. You are not expected to keep yourself au courant with what is going on in the realm of spooks. The stuff will keep until you have leisure to put yourself into the frame of mind appropriate to the sentiment of the piece - which I respectfully submit that you cannot do in a street car, even if you are the only passenger. The solitude is not of the right sort. An author has rights which the reader is bound to respect."

he tries to convey the same point i do, albeit towards supernatural literature. i think it's worth a read and the moral should be taken to heart.

following is the link to the complete story. i suggest you read it alone at night...in the dark. enjoy.

www.gordon-fernandes.com/hp-lovecraft/other_authors/suitable_surroundings.htm