“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

At once our Ruburt is like a porcupine, feeling trapped and prickling all over, eyes glaring, and attitude more prickly than a porcupine’s quills. The fact that Ruburt considers the man an ass, helped, because Ruburt could then justify his own conditioned reflex toward authority; and keep in mind other material I have given you concerning Ruburt and the gallery.

It is also true that during certain periods of the month his hormones are more active, since he inhabits, and is, a woman this time. He also turned down rather coldly the man’s innocent enough invitation that you visit his home. You were indeed busy that evening, but this was not the reason for Ruburt’s refusal.

He is bound to set himself up as aloof and superior to the man in charge. He may be superior in many ways, but certainly not in all respects, and his disdainful reactions would naturally affect the poor new director. About him I will have something to say. Nevertheless you were right, Joseph, and certainly Ruburt’s attitude is at least partially to blame.

He, your director, has gamely held his ground. His insistence upon detail Ruburt takes as personal offense. The man is simply a stickler for detail. He is not rubbing Ruburt’s nose in every misspelled word, nor is he suggesting, as Ruburt suspects, that Ruburt is a mental numbskull because he is a poor speller.

I am not suggesting that he throw bouquets or roses at his rather flowery-attired male director, but he can at least hold back the daggers. You may find that the man can be most enjoyable in the future. He is extremely insecure, hiding behind compulsive attention to details.

He could be vindictive if treated in this manner for long, as rejection of the type that Ruburt is handing out frightens and confuses him. Ruburt is usually at least fair. The man has rather glaring faults, it is true, but they are not deadly ones. Nor would a bit of kindness be demeaning Ruburt.

This, however, should begin to fade out. It would do no harm to invite the man for a drink in your home, though I admit that to either of you the suggestion amounts to a treason of sorts. It would do you, Joseph, no harm to allow him in your house, where you could size him up for yourself. One simple well-meant invitation might be in order—and this was hell to get through, with Ruburt’s blocks.