BY WIZARD OF OZ

Chapter 3

Door-bell rings. Mrs. Andrea Myles enters the living room looking exhausted. Closes door politely. Skippy walks towards her with arms outstretched. He hugs his wife and a kisses her on each cheek.

Skippy:How was your day at the Office, hon?

Andrea (Exhales deeply): Hectic, almost impossible, busy is not… the word. I’ve got Insurance files to catch up on. Britney called me at work, said she’ll be coming over for the week-end and Kirk lost his job last Friday.

Todd: Hi Mom. You look rather tired. Can I get you some lemonade? I’ll make it myself with lots of love. Come on, just sit down over here and relax while your humble servant concoctulate and serves.

Andrea (Smiles then burst into a giggle): Concoctulate? Boy you know that’s not a word. But that’s very nice of you Todd. Are you alright? What is it you want? Are you sure you’re not up to any mischief?

Todd: No Mom. It’s just that Dad is a bit undecided as to whether or not he should allow me to go to the B-ball game tonight or sit around and disturb you from your typing.

Skippy (Rolls his eyes): Oh oooh, here it comes….

Andrea: You put that very nicely Todd, like a skilled lawyer but I think the added comment is a rude, compromising and borderline revengeful. You will not be going to any game. Where is everybody? Wanda! Felicia!? Mom’s home.

The room went quiet. Skippy puts his hands in his pockets and Todd slumps in the sofa, defeated.

Skippy (Cupping his mouth, shouts): Look what Mom brought home for us! Chinese and Pizza!

Felicia Myles 7 yrs and her older sister Wanda Myles 12 yrs raced down the stairs only to learn that their father had tricked them.

Skippy: Alright, alright! The Olympics was held in Beijing, China not in this house. Cut out that Lionel Richie attitude and slow down!

Felicia and Wanda walked across the living room. Felicia hugs her Mom tightly at her waist.

Wanda (Laughs): Sorry I didn’t hear you called the first time Mom. I figured Chinese and Pizza don’t go together. One is Chinese and the other is Italian. Maybe they should try making a Chinese Pizza. With noodles, duck and soy sauce…Know what I mean?

Andrea (Smiles… blink and beam wittily): Only you could come up with such a marvelous idea. So how many times did I call Wanda?

Wanda (Thoughtful for a moment then chose to reserve comment that may prove she was lying)

Todd (Laughs then cover his mouth): That’s funny. That’s a good one Mom. I got it. If she says…. one time, you will ask her how did she know there was another time and if she said twice or three times she will admit she heard you all along. Ha! Ha! Haaa! You know…

Todd’s comments was met by an abrupt interruption from the house-hold Skippy, Andrea and Wanda (in unison): Shut up Todd!

Todd slips his hands in his pockets and stood aside, embarrassed

Felicia (Giggles): Yes! Shut….up…..Todd! I have a good joke to tell. Listen up!

Todd: The silly jokes she tells.

Felicia: My jokes are funny.

Andrea: Todd. I bet her jokes will be better than any you tell.

Skippy: Ah aammm! I agree.

Wanda: Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Todd’s jokes are lame.

Todd: Why are you all hitting out on me? I tell you what. If I win, I get to go to the basketball game. How about that? What do you say Mom?

Skippy shakes his head. Andrea thought for a moment then nodded.

Skippy and Andrea: Deal!

Skippy: A drowning man clutches at a straw. A chump drowns himself.

END