Two Faces Seen

Janus, mascot of January has two faces, one looking to the east and the other, to the west. There are people like that, too. What you see and hear on one side, is not what happens on the other. We've all encountered this type. They smile like polar bears until your back is turned and then they tear you apart much like our paw-endowed furry creature in his world. The worst part of this double faced human animal is that it draws you in with flattery and promises. These predators are masters of guile. They make you feel that you are a best friend while readying their bag of tricks for you to drop willingly inside and spill out your most private thoughts. For fame's sake, they can shake out those thoughts for all to see thus making you look bad while they, the bearers of the news, become the paparazzi of the moment.  It all seems to work rather nicely until finally everyone catches on. Friends soon shun the yentas and no more secrets are shared in that direction. But let's look at the reasons why this kind of social phenomenon occurs.  First the secret spiller needs attention for him/herself and doesn't care how it happens. They are impervious and incurable. I can think of one who was formerly a handsome individual but now faded, needed to find another way of drawing in her admiring crowd. This person used flattery and quasi friendship to pull folks in so that they would confide in her. Flattery works well on the weak. The perp spilled out her closet of personal ills so that her victim would readily divulge hers.  Even those she formerly and publicly disliked were invited into her circle. I'll tell you mine, you tell me yours sort of club. She knew none of them were nasty enough to spill her tales around,  but she collected theirs to increase her popularity  if need be. Kids call it playing "mean girls". Guys don't often do this. They just clam up or use their fists but women sometimes resort to this lethal but less overt trick.  Neither is fair.  But Time, the cure-all enters as usual. Gossip is eventually found out and justice meted. Sela.