Characters
You know I could have been in the NSA, but they found out my parents were married.
— Bishop · Sneakers
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker claims the NSA rejected them because their parents were married. The absurd explanation relies on the old insult “bastard,” implying that the agency requires people who deserve that label. A supposed career disappointment becomes a joke at the organisation’s expense.
Context reviewed