Life of Riley: The red mole

July 29, 1998
Issue 

Life of Riley

l = The red mole

Well here we are then.

-Yes. I suppose we are.

At the very same spot we were at yesterday.

-The very same.

I'm no different. And you're no different

-The very same.

So not much has changed then?

-Not much.

Not much at all.

-Except ...

Yes?

-It's nothing.

Go on. Say it.

-Yesterday we were nobodies. Run-of-the-mill paper sellers, "sloganising lefties" ...

And today?

-Well today you're a "manipulator of guileless youth" and I'm a "red fascist".

Yes I know. Such is the price of fame.

-But really! Do I look like a "red fascist" to you?

In this light, not at all.

(Both sing:)

We're moles.
Decadent and irreligious souls.
Caught in the act
Of spreading the fact
That we're moles, socialistic souls
Taking heavy tolls
Among the young
Who think it's fun
To jump the gun
And don't do what they're told ...
Cause we're moles.
Decadent and irreligious souls
Caught in the act
Of spreading the fact
That we're moles.
Doing molish things.

-I was young once.

You don't say?

-I do. Young and guileless.

You don't say?

-I do. Idealistic and passionate.

You don't say?

-I do. All I wanted was to change the world.

You don't say?

-I do. So I joined the red moles.

You did?

-Now I'm being used and exploited in the cause of international socialism.

You are?

-And I love it!

That's because ... (Singing:)

We're moles.
Decadent and irreligious souls
Caught in the act
Of spreading the fact
That we'd rather be red than dead.

Dave Riley

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