i am a skeptic, truly, really
though perhaps i'm just a toy
for the system to enjoy
molding me into a willing victim

weakness's not an option
but there aren't others at this time
i chase tequila with a dried-out lime
and wonder why i let them do it

minutes converge to an emphatic "screw it"
and before long the years follow
my promise of heroism proves to be hollow
and nothing but shadows of friends still remain