A reply to: A letter from Newt
Hey, Newt! You wrote back! Guess that means we’re pen pals.
So, how do we go about this sort of thing? I tell you about my boring life, and you tell me about your exciting one?
Hmm. I’m wondering if I didn’t get the right “How to Be the Boss” manual, because my experience heading up the company doesn’t include one-on-ones with any good-looking women, unless they’re the chemists and engineers in R & D, and then we’re talking formula and design, not dinner at five.
I guess I still follow my dad’s rule: no dating members of the team. Sort of had it drilled into me.
You asked if I could some use moves or pick-up lines.
Will you totally not respect me if I say yes? Because, yes. I could.
I was at the café the other night with my sister and uncle, and I saw the cutest woman in braids and a black barista’s outfit. I’ve always had a thing for baristas.
I stood at the end of the line, like a moron, trying to think of something witty to say.
Meadow, my sister, was no help. She had her nose in a book.
Finally, I came up with, “I hear dark roast is higher in caffeine, but lighter in acid. Smooth, you might say.” Then I was going to ask her what she was drinking.
But she was gone.
My uncle, Jasper, was there. “What’ll you have, Norm?” he asked.
“A hot cup of plum,” I said. And my uncle ordered me Chinese plum tea.
My sister was in a total good mood. “We should do this more often,” she said.
Maybe it cramps my style to go out with my uncle and little sis.
What do you think?
I do it because it’s fun, and they’re good company.
I try to act cool, but I am such a dork.
If you go to a party, and you see a guy in the center of the room, talking to all the cuties, that guy’s not me.
I’m the guy at the bookshelf, reading up on mycelium. I’m the guy standing on the back porch, looking up at Venus in the arms of the crescent moon.
I guess that’s why I love hanging with my sister so much.
She must be a bigger dork than me because she thinks I’m cool.
I’ve been thinking about your advice on working out. I run. But maybe I’ll hit the gym. I got myself a cool jersey from my favorite team.
Yeah, I’m a big Raging Llama fan. Are you?
All right. You’ll probably want to stop writing once you learn how clueless I am.
But hey–you could be my mentor!
That’s an even exchange, right? You teach me how to get to know a few nice women, boost my cool factor, and I’ll help you check off that therapy homework.
Take care, man.
Norm
Cathy Tea's SimLit Anthology 