The Elk-Killing Society

Q: So you’re a member of the Elk-Killing Society?

A: Yes, and I have my badge to prove it. You don’t see these every day.

Q: Why Elk-Killing? Why not Elk-Hunting?

A: We don’t hunt elk for the food or the leather they provide. We just do it for sport. We believe that there’s a difference between hunting an animal and killing an animal. It’s all in our charter.

Q: So…why do you hunt elk again?

A: That’s what our society’s based around.

Q: Just elk? No other bird or beast?

A: Just elk.

Q: …I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.

A: Look, if you’re looking for an explanation, I don’t have one. You can try asking Jyrik Silver-Blood…

Q: Silver-Blood?

A: Yes, he was one of those Silver-Bloods.

Q: But why would he need to hunt in the wilds? Surely he must have had enough money to buy private properties.

A: It was part of the thrill for him. It just wasn’t the same if it was on his property. Less thrill. Less excitement.

Q: I’m afraid I don’t understand.

A: If you want a rational explanation, why not just go with the most popular one?

Q: The one where he was a werewolf cursed by Hircine to hunt elk forever?

A: Yes, that one.

Q: And is that true?

A: I don’t know.

Q: That isn’t the only explanation, though. They say that it’s to spite a Nordic ancestral spirit of some sort…

A (interjecting): That’s not true.

Q: Wait, I wasn’t done.

A: It’s not true and we will not discuss it further.

[Beat.]

Q: Fine then. So exactly what do you do with the elk?

A: We kill it.

Q: No, after you’ve done that.

A: We make sure to bury it properly.

Q: …That seems respectable.

A: If you want to kill something, at least have the decency to bury it afterwards. That’s also in our charter.

Q: Well, anyway, this was a great opportunity that we had today. I hope we can meet again under the same friendly circumstances, [name redacted].

A: The sentiment is the same.

We then shook hands and left.