[ Kirk was patient as he listened to him, though for a second his hand tightened sharply on Winn's shoulder. It wasn't out of anger at Winn, though. It was anger at his father, that someone who was supposed to love him could force him into a corner like that, force him to try and make that kind of decision. He loosened his grip, but did not remove his touch from Winn's arm, gathering his thoughts. ]
That's not a fair situation to judge yourself, Winn. The decision he was forcing you to make - it is a hard one, an impossible one.
[ He took a breath. ]
If I was in that situation, if there were no other choices, no other options - I would have chosen your father's boss. There is a phrase I was taught by a friend - the needs of the many before the needs of the one. And though it is a hard choice, an impossible one, that is what I would have done. And it would not have made me a monster. I would feel guilt every day for having to do it, but there are times we have to make those impossible choices.
But they do not make us monsters.
Had you had to make that choice - you would have felt guilt, wouldn't you? To you it is a choice you cannot fathom making, isn't it? The fact you feel that, the fact that just even coming close to having to choose has hurt you so much - you are so far from being your father that not in this lifetime could you ever close that gap.
action;
That's not a fair situation to judge yourself, Winn. The decision he was forcing you to make - it is a hard one, an impossible one.
[ He took a breath. ]
If I was in that situation, if there were no other choices, no other options - I would have chosen your father's boss. There is a phrase I was taught by a friend - the needs of the many before the needs of the one. And though it is a hard choice, an impossible one, that is what I would have done. And it would not have made me a monster. I would feel guilt every day for having to do it, but there are times we have to make those impossible choices.
But they do not make us monsters.
Had you had to make that choice - you would have felt guilt, wouldn't you? To you it is a choice you cannot fathom making, isn't it? The fact you feel that, the fact that just even coming close to having to choose has hurt you so much - you are so far from being your father that not in this lifetime could you ever close that gap.