The central question, then, becomes what kind of relationship can arise between the actors in this microdrama, in this pièce for two characters, which is so typical of the genre under discussion?

These precious [rare earth] minerals are not actually rare, just so infernally difficult to sift from the earth without destroying the environment and poisoning your workers that the minerals are known in the mining industry as unobtainiums.

For who would beare the Whips and Scornes of time, The Oppressors wrong, the poore mans Contumely …

Listener up there! Here you … what have you to confide in me? Look in my face while I snuff the sidle of evening, Talk honestly, for no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer.