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> Are they actually talking to me? Unbelievable. I can’t talk, Dan; can’t you see? I’m hanging to this idea by a thread as it is

My problem with this story is that it makes it sounds like it's Dan's fault for walking up to the author at a party/social event. We've all been there -- an all-consuming problem or an unexpected moment of clarity. Or maybe you realize something that puts you into a sour mood. We can't expect those around us to be mind readers.

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That's not how I read it. I read that as Dan being the target of his frustration, not that he literally blamed Dan.

You say the story makes it sound like Dan is at fault and at the same time you say "We've all been there" which suggests you don't actually believe the author is blaming Dan for interrupting his thoughts. What makes you think others will misinterpret the author's point of view when it's clear you were able to understand it? Language will always have many different possible interpretations - a smart reader will pick up on that just as you did.

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