Playing Hookey
Originally posted on May 13, 2007
Eli: Are we finished yet?
Cassandra: Just a few more, Eli.
Eli: You really wanna hear me whine, don’t you?
Cassandra: Sure, go ahead. You don’t mind if I take notes while you whine, do you?
Eli: You’re a hard woman, Cassandra Godard.
Cassandra: I prefer to think of it as being resolute.
Eli: C’mon Tiny, I can’t take any more today. It’s a gorgeous day outside. Let’s go enjoy it.
Cassandra: All right, Eli. A break sounds like a good idea. A little time in a pleasant outdoor environment will be a welcome change.
Eli: You’re agreeing with me?
Cassandra: Sure. I can be reasonable about a reasonable request.
Eli: Okay, let me just grab a couple sodas and something to sit on.
Eli: I’m glad you took it down. Its looks beautiful like this.
Cassandra: (blushing) There didn’t seem to be a point in tying it up when the breeze would wreak havoc with it. I don’t always do prim and proper, Eli.
Eli: Yeah….. I know……. (he moves to kiss her; she moves away)
Eli: Relax, Cassandra. Think that’s what I’m going to do.
Eli: Maybe just a little nap…
Cassandra: You’re going to sleep?
Eli: Sure, why not? When I sleep…… I can imagine that we’re normal people, and that you’re here because you want to be, not just because I talked you into it.
Cassandra: Eli, I……….This is a beautiful spot. Who wouldn’t want to be here?
Eli: Yeah, it’s a decent enough place. But the company….. now that’s what I’m really enjoying.
Eli: I sure do like playing hookey with you, Cassandra.
Cassandra: I never play hookey. This is an essential respite.
Eli: Whatever you say, Tiny.
Cassandra: Eli…….. tell me something about you that I don’t know. Maybe something about yourself as a young boy.
Eli: More research, Ms. Godard? Are you asking as the professional or just to make idle conversation?
Cassandra: Not research, not right now. We’re on a break, remember?
Eli: Okay then……….. When I was a little kid…………..I had a different idea every week, about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The one that lasted the longest was….I wanted to be a cowboy.
Cassandra: (wryly) I imagine you did.
Eli: I think I wanted to be a cowboy so I could be by myself. I wanted to ride off into the sunset where there was nobody around to tell me what to do. Where I didn’t get blamed every time something went wrong or got broken.
Cassandra: Did you often take the blame for things you didn’t do?
Eli: Blame? Yeah, I got blamed. But I’m sure I deserved all I got and then some. … I mighta been just a little bit…..wild…… as a kid.
Cassandra: Also not hard to imagine.
Eli: Ah, but you see, even though I’m all grown up, some days I still want to be that cowboy.
Eli: Only now that idea of riding off alone isn’t all that appealing…..
