audio: marshes

[gristle]

Okay so I'm looking for easy and simple cooking recipes that don't take a lot of time.

[She doesn't have the focus for time.]

And if you're going to ask me why I as a girl don't already have 'em, don't. Because I will punch you in the face and I am getting really good at it.

Comments

[gristle]

Okay. I'm still gonna try and get recipes though.

[customplates]

Okay. I mean, I can guarantee you're better at it than me.

[gristle]

That's kinda a scary thought, Aaron. I can only do simple box stuff.

[customplates]

[He clears his throat.]

I burn toast.

[gristle]

...At least I'm not that bad. But no wonder you and Alex are friends.

[customplates]

Hey, what's that supposed to mean?

[She might have actually gotten a smile from him, though.]

[gristle]

[Bev knows.]

Did you know she almost burnt down Richard’s father’s house making toast?! More than once!

[customplates]

[He chuckles slightly at that.] I can't say that I did, no.

[gristle]

She did. She says that it's because he has a fancy toaster, but how fancy can a toaster be?!

[Yep, trying to make him laugh a little.]

[customplates]

Pretty fancy, actually.

[It worked.]

[gristle]

That fancy though? That an adult woman who can read couldn't do it?!

[customplates]

...I mean, I'm an adult man and I have trouble with a simple one.

[gristle]

Really?! Why is the future so weird about like toasters?!

[customplates]

I don't think it has anything to do with the future, Bev.

[gristle]

Then what does it have to do with?

[customplates]

I'm just really not good at it. I never have been. [He chuckles, though there's a profound sadness underneath it.]

Eric used to tell me he moved in to protect the house from burning down.

[gristle]

[That makes Bev laugh too.]

Maybe that explains Alex and Richard too.

[customplates]

You know, something tells me theirs is probably a little different.

[gristle]

You think so?

[customplates]

Well, I mean they met under really different circumstances.

[gristle]

Yeah I guess that’s true.

[customplates]

And Eric and I have been together for 10 years.

[gristle]

Really? That's so long.

[Beverly, it is not that long.]

I was like four when you got together.

[customplates]

[He laughs bashfully.]

Thanks, Bev.

[gristle]

Any time, Aaron.