Drama players: Together or against each other or everyone for himself?

Imagine this script.

A man talks about a father he describes as the worst father in the world. He talks about how he was belittled and shouted at for being weak and not protected from bullying at school. His mother separates and takes him to the land of opportunity, where he eventually becomes the richest and most powerful entrepreneur who lets nothing stand in his way.

This could be the short version of a fairy tale, but it is a real biography with many different facets. A frightened child becomes a man who rebels against limits and rules, who goes far for success, ready to exploit himself and others, self-centred and emotion-driven.

We see his contempt, his verbal abuse and his gestures of superiority.

A dramatist. An idol who embodies what most people don't have:

Intrepidity. (Transaction Analysts name it a counter-script)

How does the story continue?

He finally meets an old man who, like him, grew up with a rigid, patriarchal and performance-demanding father. This man was not allowed to be weak either. His survival strategy was trickery and manipulation, for which he used lies creatively and excessively. A power player and bluffer. A deal-maker and drama expert par excellence. Being powerful, being unassailable, moulding the world according to his own ideas are expressions of his grandiosity.

They have never experienced being loved unconditionally by their fathers. Neither of them will ever be seen in tears or in fear. They must not allow themselves to do so, because otherwise they run the risk of their emotional house of cards collapsing.

The economically potent younger man and the politically potent older man attract each other and form a power alliance. One has found his ideal father figure, the other his ideal son.

This relationship has the potential for both destruction and renewal. It is a threat to humanitarian, solidary and ecological life and the earth's resources.

What holds them together?

Common enemies/opponents, being against, culprits and victims.

Grandiose mega-goals, successes, mutual confirmation.

Followers, as uncritical and passive as possible out of fear for their existence.

Increased power and more wealth. Covered

Subtly hidden fear of the other's revenge

Personally, I don't think this ‘friendship’ will last long, because they won't be capable of a cooperative relationship at eye level. We can expect new drama stories.

But do we want to spend our valuable time on that?

I don't want to.

Instead, I will use my creativity and skills for worth living and life-centred goals.

Are you with me?