Empathy No. 052

09/17/02, Levitt living rm. 5:45 PM (approx)

LLOYD: Roderick, there you are! Come on, we're all feeling lazy tonight, so we're getting pizza.

BROOKE: Two-fer Tuesdays!

LLOYD: That's right. We're getting two, so do you have a preference on topping?

RODERICK: Anything is fine with me.

ALLISON: Told you that's what he'd say.

LLOYD: Don't get too clever, Allie. I mean it, though, what's your favorite? It's all right to have an opinion.

RODERICK: I don't know...pepperoni? Seriously, anything-

JASON: I told you, pepperoni's always safe. Everyone likes pepperoni.

ALLISON: Because it's boring!

LLOYD: All right, let's have a moment of peace while I place the order, okay?

ELEANOR: Come take a seat, Roderick. Brooke's been asking for you.

RODERICK: Really?

JASON: Yeah, she lost three games of Connect 4 in a row and wants you to help her cheat.

BROOKE: It's not cheating, it's math! He said he was gonna teach me how to never lose!

ELEANOR: It's true. You know, he taught me how to do it last year.

BROOKE: Is someone gonna show me, then? I never win anything.

ELEANOR: Maybe I should try to explain it to you, I think Roderick is a little busy right now.

JASON: Yeah, he has better things to do than show you how to hustle your friends.

RODERICK: It's okay. Mathematically, it's actually very interesting...you probably wouldn't want to hear the whole explanation though, it's very long.

JASON: I might want to hear that.

LLOYD: Am I hearing this right? You got Jason interested in math?

JASON: Maybe a little bit. I mean, not when it's this late.

LLOYD: In that case, let's talk about something lighter. Homecoming is in a few weeks, am I right?

ALLISON: Yeah, and Gary is pissed.

BROOKE: What's his deal this time?

ALLISON: He got into a thing with Eric over Eric's terrible voice. Now they don't have a singer, and there's no way they can find one this late, so the assembly's a bust.

JASON: Big deal, they don't get to play some pep rally.

ALLISON: It is a big deal, dingus. It's a big captive audience. You play there, you get more fans, more people come to shows. More people at shows means you get to play bigger places. It's how you grow as a band.

ELEANOR: You know, Roderick has a wonderful voice.

RODERICK: Mom, don't-

ELEANOR: Sweetheart, it's true! Maybe you can have him try out?

ALLISON: I, uh...Gary likes to work with his friends, people from the scene around here. I'm sure he'll find someone before the winter homecoming.

LLOYD: Okay, so I can assume that you and Gary are going to the dance?

ALLISON: And we're not taking Jason. I don't care-

JASON: Oh, knock it off, you don't have to give me a ride. Brian's older brother is gonna give a bunch of a ride.

LLOYD: So that's two of you taken care of. Roderick? Are you going?

RODERICK: I don't really know.

ELEANOR: He was never a big fan of school dances.

LLOYD: And that's fine, but it is a new school, maybe some socializing isn't a bad idea.

ELEANOR: Roderick, you don't have to go alone. You can ask Carlie to go with you.

ALLISON: Uh, Carlie doesn't really go to dances so much.

ELEANOR: Well, some girls only go if someone invites them. Roderick?

RODERICK: I...I might think about it.

LLOYD: Well, no one's going to make you go, but I'm taking Ellie out on the town that night, so if you're here, then you're sitting for Brooke.

BROOKE: I don't need a babysitter! Dad-

LLOYD: I'm not done. Roderick, if you do decide to go, then I can drop you off or you can ride with Allison and Gary. Right?

ALLISON: Yeah, Dad, that'll be good.

RODERICK: I guess I'll let you know. Uh, thanks.