Chapter 57: The Tyranny of the Intellectuals? Part 2

Barry instantly recognizes the girl the bartender is talking about.

"Oh, that girl? I've heard she had some family issues. Good thing she was able to confront her past. I wish I had her guts."

"Yes, you will. But that martini you're drinking right now is not a strength tonic. Now then… if you want to confront your bullies, you must beat them at their own game. In this case, you must be an intellectual to show those intellectual poseurs that you are much better than them."

"Yeah… but that word itself is now my bugbear. How can I become one of them when I really, really hate them?"

"One thing I can assure you, bud. You are not alone. Even trying to get refuge here means that deep inside, you need help from others. No man is an island, anyway."

Barry then looks around the bar, full of patrons who are enjoying their food, shooting the breeze, and indulge themselves in darts and billiards.

He is right.

He won't be alone in confronting this greatest obstacle in his life.