The scratchy giant has begun disappearing during the day. This concerns me, as I believe it a ruse. But to what end?

He and the useful one discuss him returning to “work,” suggestively within my earshot. But what work is he qualified for? I only scream for two reasons, and it takes him forever to figure it out. So, I find myself dismissing the idea of him in any role requiring mental acuity. What ever he’s doing, he clearly relies on the useful one’s reputation rather than his own guile. Frustratingly, my spies offer no word, but still I’ve made it known this information is top priority; he could be recruiting allies. However concerning, there is also opportunity.

Sun Tzu tells us in Chapter IV of The Art of War, Tactical Dispositions, that victory comes from our opponents’ mistakes. Deliberate separation of the two giants seems mine to pounce upon. As they begin to become accustomed to sleep deprivation, they begin to forget the weakness that comes along with it, and I work to increase it.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Last night, playing along with their ruse of the scratchy one return to “work,” I released my most perfect milk bomb at 2:45am. The sad sleepy-eyed scramble was an event to write home about, while I then slept like a log.

Now the useful is alone during the day, and especially sleep deprived after my early-morning stunt. Next stop, Stockholm Syndrome. Let’s face it, I’m pretty damn cute. How long could it take? Once I win her over, I’m confident the scratchy one will fall quickly and whatever he’s up to during the day will matter little.

They doesn’t seem to to understand. I’m not locked in here with them. They’re locked in here with ME!

— Rorschach in Watchmen

Ooooooh, yesterday was a good day. Sun Tzu tells us the second best generalship is to “prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces.” Boy did I. The noisy giants were showing me off as war spoils to prospective allies in the CT-NY Creighton Axis (what’s a babysitter?) when I let go the king of all milk bombs. Shut those negotiations down quick, son!

I’ve been rethinking chapter 2 of The Art of War, and the application of logistics. It makes me wonder whether the management craze of Business Is War is right, but for the wrong reasons.

I don’t mean the military industrial complex, but rather “capital B” Business. Like any other complex undertaking, Business is a lot about logistics if you’re in the for the long run. How do I hire, train, and retain the right people? What marketing campaigns do I undertake to grow the brand my customers trust? How do I ensure the right, and evolving, financial structure to undertake all of these and everything else I need to accomplish? War as a metaphor creates unnecessary antagonism and selfishly reduces opportunities to cooperate in “expanding the pie”.

[S]upreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

Stay tuned to see if I can pull that off.