Chapter 24 · Month 14 · The First Real Fight

The Silent Dinner

A silent dinner and the question underneath it

Oldest line first — the newest line is at the bottom.

      
            Penny
            teacher
            02:34
          
The fork's still in my hand and the food's gone cold, so I'll say this once: a Sunday with no drill and no forms, first of every month, and I don't care what the flat looks like. Now eat something, because I'm not carrying the silence as well tonight.

            Algy
            designer
            02:34
          
Right.

            Penny
            teacher
            02:36
          
Don't do that — "right" and then nothing is how we got through Tuesday. What do you actually need from me here, because I'm guessing it's not the Sunday.

            Algy
            designer
            02:37
          
You're right — Sunday's not the thing. What I need is you to not look at that damp patch like it's a countdown, because I found it in March and I've been doing the sums ever since.

            Penny
            teacher
            02:38
          
Honestly? I'm scared of being the only adult in the room again. I did the sums alone for years before you, and I'd rather be single than do them twice.

            Algy
            designer
            02:39
          
Then it's my fault for apologising for the drill and not the bit that scares you. I'll book a plasterer Saturday — not "I'll sort it", an actual number and a name — and I'm going to stop apologising for the plan and start showing you the dates.

            Penny
            teacher
            02:41
          
That's fair, and I hate that it's fair. Some of the countdown was me reading a calendar you never gave me.

            Algy
            designer
            02:42
          
So here's the offer, and it's a rubbish one. If I'm late or vague about anything over $50 this month, I'll split it with you there and then, but I need you to stop testing me about it.

            Penny
            teacher
            02:43
          
Then it's agreed: $50, no testing, and I'll take the plasterer's number off the table and put it on the fridge. Leave the dishes — the floor's got a good view of the damp.

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What the audience made of it

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The next chapter opens with these numbers on the table. The character with fewer votes is expected to demand a recount.

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