Empathy No. 040
ALLISON: No, it'll only be a minute, then we're out.
RODERICK: Allison? Is that you?
ALLISON: One second. Hey, did someone from the newspaper staff contact you?
RODERICK: Yeah, this girl Sara.
ALLISON: Figures. She wanted me to ask you about some interview, but I didn't think you'd be interested.
RODERICK: It's fine, but how did she get my chat ID?
ALLISON: I have no idea, I never figured out how she does things like that. Don't worry about her, she's weird but harmless. Anyway, I just gotta get something from my room and then I'm off. If Dad asks, I'll be back by five.
RODERICK: Sure, no problem.
ALLISON: Okay, just need to-
CARLIE: Hey, Roderick.
RODERICK: Carlie, I didn't know you were here.
CARLIE: Allie's helping me with a project.
ALLISON: Yeah, and it'll only take a minute to get what I need, so-
CARLIE: That's fine, I can chat with Roderick for a minute. Right?
RODERICK: Sure, I'm not doing anything important.
ALLISON: Uh...okay, just one sec, though, I'll be right back.
CARLIE: It's cool, I kinda wanted to see how you live. Yeah, you learn a lot about someone by how they keep their room. That's why I know it's gonna take Allie more than a minute because her place is such a mess. So cluttered.
RODERICK: Well, then come in, I'd love...I'd like to hear your, uh, take.
CARLIE: Oh, these are the trophies! I heard about these, but I did not know there were so many of them. Can't believe you had the time.
RODERICK: I'm not doing those things so much this year.
CARLIE: I get that. I mean, it's really cool that you can do all these things, but it must wear you out. Hey, what's this big binder?
RODERICK: Um, notes...not class notes, personal ideas, things like that.
CARLIE: Must have a lot of ideas in here. Thought maybe you were one of those types who kept a journal. You know, Allie's got one of those little girl diaries with the combo lock on it.
RODERICK: That kind of thing isn't really for me, this is just...just ideas.
CARLIE: Lots of books...I know what's missing in here. No band posters. No CD rack. I was hoping to see what kind of music you were into and there's nothing here.
RODERICK: I guess I'm not really into music.
CARLIE: What? What do you mean you're not into music, Roderick?
RODERICK: I just mean that I don't follow any bands or anything like that. Just what's on the radio.
CARLIE: Radio stations around here are boring. Like, in general, what are you into?
RODERICK: I guess I don't know.
CARLIE: You must be into something. Like Allie's all about pop - whatever. Gary's into old stuff. You know, I could turn you onto some people I know. I don't have a CD burner yet or anything, but I can dupe you some tapes.
RODERICK: That would be great.
CARLIE: Yeah, I'll put something together for you this evening. Give us something to talk about in French class.
RODERICK: Yeah, cool, cool.
CARLIE: Am I gonna have to go help Allie? She just had to grab something real quick. Must have got lost in the mess. Hey, got a question: Where do you go when you're not in psych? You're not skipping, are you?
RODERICK: No, my mother...Lloyd and my Mom scheduled me for therapy.
CARLIE: They make you go to a shrink? Oh, sucks! My folks talk about doing that sometimes with me, but I know they'll never do it.
RODERICK: It's not too bad. Um...Carlie, what do you do with your weekends?
CARLIE: Not much lately. What about you?
RODERICK: I'm just in here most of the time.
CARLIE: Well, if you get bored with that, you could come and hang out with me sometime. I mean, it's kinda hard on the weekends because my parents are on my ass. But maybe you could come over after school sometime? I'm not that far away, you pass by real close when you walk back from school. My place isn't as nice as here, but it's a little less crowded. Get you a break from Allie.
RODERICK: Yeah, I should do that.
ALLISON: Do what? Roderick, do what?
CARLIE: Just giving him the names of some bands he might like. Make this place a little more lively.
ALLISON: Sure.
CARLIE: Well, you're acting weird. You done up there?
ALLISON: ...Yeah. Um, see you later, Roderick.
CARLIE: Yeah, see you later.
RODERICK: You too. Right.