C of L 49: "That's how it is..most of the time."

[Mark Kohut]

Suddenly, never noticed (by me) before, this exchange seems
to portray the necessity of 'small talk", that 'social cement'
[as one sociologist called it] to keep the(a) community going. 
 
> What a W.A.S.T.E., what a W.A.S.T.E. . . .
> 
>     "It's the principle," Fallopian agreed,
> sounding defensive. "To
>     keep it up to some kind of a reasonable
> volume, each member
>     has to send at least one letter a week
> through the Yoyodyne
>     system. If you don't, you get fined." He
> opened his letter and
>     showed Oedipa and Metzger.
> 
>     Dear Mike, it said, how are you? Just
> thought I'd drop you a
>     note. How's your book coming? Guess
> that's all for now. See
>     you at The Scope.
> 
>     "That's how it is," Fallopian confessed
> bitterly, "most of the time."
>