Empathy No. 107

12/08/02, Levitt living rm. 11:00 AM (approx)

ELEANOR: Waiting for them to bring the tree upstairs?

RODERICK: I would have helped, but they said they didn't need me.

ELEANOR: It's not an accusation, I swear.

RODERICK: I know.

ELEANOR: So, do you have shopping left to do?

RODERICK: Do I need to buy presents for everyone?

ELEANOR: I'm just kidding you. No one expects anything like that. But I thought...I don't know, maybe you wanted to get something for your girlfriend.

RODERICK: Or something for you?

ELEANOR: I don't expect you to get a gift for me.

RODERICK: Maybe I want to.

ELEANOR: Well, I'm just letting you know that if you do want to buy something for...anyone at all, I can take you shopping. I can give you some help - I don't know Carlie very well, but I think I remember what girls that age like.

RODERICK: You're giving me a hint.

ELEANOR: I know, not very subtle. I'd ask you what you want, but I know what you'll say. So I guess I'll have to surprise you, huh?

LLOYD: ...Watch the door, don't drop it.

JASON: I got it, Dad.

LLOYD: Clear the way, everyone. Tree's coming up.

ELEANOR: Look at the size of this thing!

LLOYD: Hope you're not too disappointed that we don't have a real one. We tried that one year, remember?

ALLISON: Yeah, it took like two months to clean the sap off of everything. All right, got the ornaments here, and Brooke's got the lights.

BROOKE: Yeah, I'm not untangling these.

LLOYD: No bickering, all right?

ALLISON: I can keep the children in line. So who's decorating this year? Jason did it last time.

JASON: ...Mom always came after me.

ALLISON: Okay, so...Dad? Is, um...is Ellie gonna do it?

LLOYD: Actually, I give this some thought already, and it seems to me that Roderick can handle this.

RODERICK: Me? I don't think I can do it by myself.

LLOYD: Well, you can get help if you want, but...you always took care of the tree in your old place, right?

RODERICK: That was just a little one.

LLOYD: You want an extra hand?

ALLISON: ...I can help out, if you want.

RODERICK: Okay, that's...that's good. Thanks.

LLOYD: Okay. There's a couple more boxes in the basement, why don't we get those up while Roderick and Allison work on this?

ALLISON: We've got a little, like, stepladder if you want it.

RODERICK: ...Um, yeah, that would help.

ALLISON: You okay?

RODERICK: Sorry, just lost there for a second.