The very next day, another strange episode unfolded between the Plastic King and Mickey Mouse.
According to the individual, the Plastic King suddenly wanted to create the impression that he was angry with Mickey Mouse and held him responsible for his public exposure.
Apparently, after years of alliances and mutual convenience, everyone had now become everyone’s enemy.
Or so it seemed.
The Mysterious Information Leak
The Plastic King began feeding the individual information about Mickey Mouse, seemingly hoping that he would publish it immediately and without verification.
One of the claims involved an alleged secret relationship between Mickey Mouse and a woman.
At the same time, Mickey Mouse was reportedly defending himself and denying the relationship.
“I only went running with her a few times,” he said.
A remarkably specific defense for a relationship that supposedly did not exist.
Nevertheless, the individual understood that claims are not facts and that allegations are not evidence.
The Ping Pong Match
The individual immediately sensed a trap.
From his perspective, the Plastic King and Mickey Mouse appeared to be playing political ping pong right in front of him, with him being used as the ball.
If he published the information as fact without verifying it, both sides would win.
The Plastic King would score points in the Game of the Irresponsibles by successfully influencing the individual to spread unverified information.
Mickey Mouse would also win because he would now have material to present in court, arguing that the individual spreads information that could be false or misleading.
It was a fascinating arrangement.
One side serves the ball.
The other side returns it.
And the person holding the paddle is expected to hit himself in the face.
Refusing to Be the Ball
Despite finding the entire situation cheap and disappointing, the individual chose not to escalate it.
There was still, in his mind, even a one percent chance of receiving what he believed was legally his, and he was not willing to throw that chance away.
Instead of publishing the allegations, he informed Mickey Mouse that the Plastic King had approached him with the information.
He also shared his suspicion that the Plastic King was seeking revenge.
In other words, he refused to play the game.
Because sometimes the smartest move in a game of political ping pong is to put the paddle down and let the players explain why they are throwing balls at each other in the first place.
