Restraining Order

Christian Ponce Mrs. Quaney English IV 17 November, 2008

Restraining Order: 1301 Victor Nevarez like many others before him was a fan of Irma Quaney. During his senior year the so humorous computer-geek was constantly seen attempting to earn a small place in Irma’s heart with what he proudly called “The art of seduction.” The amusing L.T. dedicated his distinguished boring life trying to please Irma by writing countless essays about her. Such tales became known as “The Quaney Chronicles”and are currently published on his MySpace blog. When in high school, Nevarez revolved around Irma. So giant was his fascination towards this woman, that Mr. Quaney (a.k.a. Hulk) would have gone to jail if it wasn’t for 36 students and Mrs. Valencia, who held him back while he was trying to “playfully” strangulate Victor. You would think his fanaticism would stop after that, but between emails, phone calls, and first-class mail, he still keeps in touch. Ben Elguea in the other handwas much more like a stalker. As a student in Irma’s class he would sit and creepily stare at Irma while she (as far away from him as possible) attempted to lecture the class. Later, he asked Mrs. Quaney to go on a date with him; it is obvious the answer was a no, followed by an “Are You stupid Ben? You’re an idiot! You’re Pathetic.” Rumor has it that out of compassion, she swallowed her own vomit. After months of realizing her feelings towards him were beyond disgust and hatred, he attempted to win her heart once again by giving her a little taste of his “manliness” it goes without saying he miserably failed. Then, one sunny day during mid September, he showed up with a clearly photoshoped picture of him and Irma. Before he could even explain his reasoning, there was an officer in her room desperately looking for her belongings and an ambulance anxiously waiting outside. The doctors diagnosed her with repugnance; completely developed. The difference between the fan and the stalker is, somehow, the difference between your mother, and your mother in law. There are also devotees, admirers, buffs, and followers. But the

Christian Ponce Mrs. Quaney English IV 17 November, 2008

difference between the fan and the stalker sets the thin line, where the desire alters to mania, and the affection becomes obsessive. The difference between the two proclaims itself with the words themselves; fan, from Latin root “fanaticus” denotes inspired by god, pertaining to a temple. Stalker, by contrast, has a Germanic root “stealcian” pertaining to steal. Above and beyond the semanticdistinction, we constantly witness the differentiation. The fan is considered somewhat an enthusiastic, friendly, charismatic personwho harmlessly approaches you. The stalker is mostly dangerous, and scarcely ever easy to talk to. The fan sits at society’s table; the stalker, at the other end of the room. In fact we often confused both terms, for they are difficult to distinguish. Restraining orders orbit around that area where the oblivious becomes noticeable, and therefore obnoxious. Is the paparazzi who’s being after Britney’s wild-nights for the past three months not a stalker because he does that for a living? Or is he just in fact so good at it that he earns the national coin for being a stalker? Often, besides, fans might happen to be closet stalkers, people smart and sneaky enough to get through society without being noticed. Some of us can afford to write and talk about Mrs. Quaney and still get an A in her class. Other people, however, have to settle for less. In fact, we tend to think of fanaticism as a privilege of those who we find somewhat humorous. And being humorous is often favorable. Who wouldn’t want Dane Cook to follow them everywhere as long as the guy kept telling jokes? Even the wrinkles and weird accent of George Lopez do not stop him from being likeable. Though, being humorous makes you likeable, being likeable does not necessarily make you humorous, you’re just lucky enough not to fall in the stalker category.

Christian Ponce Mrs. Quaney English IV 17 November, 2008

All these alterations, however, look right through the major distinction of all: The fanatic is welcome, the stalker; lets himself in. The fanatic normally wants nothing more than the affection of the one being admirer, once in hand the fan is content. The stalker, however, gets the attention yet the obsessive desire does not fulfill, which causes the person to come back for more; in most cases it becomes irritating. His is the thirst not of the man, but the vampire. Thus the fanatic is only overwhelmed when he sees the person; that is what makes him a fanatic. The Stalker, however, wants desperately to see the person, and does not have a sense of patience. This makes him take extreme measures to achieve his goal, and evidently hardly ever succeeds. Though it is weird, the fanatic has permission to be a fanatic, the stalker does not, that in a sense is what makes him a stalker. And though in society they usually come together, the fan like a Popsicle is wanted, the stalker like the wrapper is useless.