Portkey in GOF - Logistics

[amiabledorsai]

No: HPFGUIDX 149743


> Kemper then:
> I think I understand what you're saying.  But instead of theater,
> how 'bout something like: terrorism is rutting season, or terrorism
> is establishing dominance, or terrorism is territorial tinkling.  I
> like the last one for its alliteration.  These suggestions seem more
> accurate than 'theater' which seems light, frivolous, and gay (not
> homosexual unless you can appreciate stereotypes... please no howlers)

Amiable Dorsai:
I begin to see the problem.  You're thinking Andrew Lloyd Webber, I'm
thinking Grand Guignol.  

http://www.grandguignol.com/

Or, better maybe, the old soviet show trials.  In any case, the goal
is to manipulate the audience into buying your version of reality,
and, well, "seeing is believing".  Amother name for it might be
propaganda, but the word seems imprecise for the idea I'm trying to
get across.  

As I've said before, Riddle is a passed master of this.  Just look at
the bit of improv he put on to frame Hagrid.  Look at any of the
Pensieve memories of young Riddle. He learned quickly, from his first
meeting with Dumbledore, that his crude intimidation, so effective
with Muggle children, wasn't going to get him what he wanted from
adult wizards.  So he learned to act.

And he loves acting, he's proud of his skill.  Remember how Diary
Riddle bragged to Harry about conning Ginny Weasley?

"It's very boring, having to listen to the silly little troubles
of an eleven- year-old girl," he went on. "But I was patient. I
wrote back. I was sympathetic, I was kind. Ginny simply loved me. No
one's ever understood me like you, Tom .... I'm so glad I've got
this diary to confide in .... It's like having a friend I can carry
around in my pocket . . . .

Riddle laughed, a high, cold laugh that didn't suit him. It
made the hairs stand up on the back of Harry's neck.

"If I say it myself, Harry, I've always been able to charm
the people I needed. So Ginny poured out her soul to me, and her
soul happened to be exactly what I wanted .... I grew stronger and
stronger on a diet of her deepest fears, her darkest secrets. I
grew powerful, far more powerful than little Miss Weasley. Powerful
enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start
pouring a little of my soul back into her. . ."   CoS

The older Tom Riddle uses his skill at "theater" as a force
multiplier--murdering one enemy is good, doing it in a manner that
convinces ten others to capitulate is better.  Riddle's so good at
this that people are afraid to even use the name he's chosen for his
greatest role.

Amiable Dorsai