May 30, 2005
Week 6 - Frito Lay is a Fickle Mistress
Episode 1
Morning. Liza types furiously. Hal steps in, dressed in pajamas.
“Mom!” he says. “What are you doing here?”
“Hush…,” Liza says, still typing. “I’m writing.”
“You’re supposed to be asleep! This is when my clan practices Deathzone II! I have to log in and play.”
“At Six A. M.? That’s ridiculous.”
“Everyone’s got soccer and shit… I mean, and stuff like that. This is the only time we can all get together.”
“Well, I’m sorry. This is the first thing I’ve written since we’ve moved here, and I’m not stopping now. I’m trying to finish by noon so I can send it to a magazine in today’s mail.”
“But mom! If I don’t keep practicing I could lose my place in the clan!”
“I don’t like you playing that horrible game anyway. Running around shooting each other! It’s sick! Besides, you look exhausted. Go back to bed.”
“Mom!”
“No! Now go away or I won’t let you touch this damn machine for a week.”
“This is so unfair!” Hal slams the door and stomps away.
Liza continues typing. After about forty five minutes, Rantz steps in, dressed in underwear and a tee shirt. When he sees his wife, his eyes widen.
“I was wondering why you weren’t in bed… What are you doing here?”
“Hush…,” Liza says. “I’m writing.”
“Were you up all night? I need to use the computer. I always browse the headlines and stuff before I shower…”
Liza stands up and grips Rantz by the shoulder. She gently but firmly pushes him out of the room. Then she shuts the door and presses the lock button in the knob. She sits down and returns to her typing.