(Untitled)

[a1enzo]

Enzo is sitting at the bar with a slim volume-an actual, paper book-in his hands and an expression of mild but continual bewilderment on his face. It's interested bewilderment, though, and every so often he'll laugh at something

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[heyfootballhead]

"A declaration of extreme holiday dislike?" Arnold suggests, having spotted Enzo and come over just in time to hear his question.

[heyfootballhead]

"Never! You have to read it for yourself."

[a1enzo]

"I'm trying to. It's good, even if I don't understand a lot of it."

[heyfootballhead]

"It is a pretty old book," Arnold admits. "I had to get Grandma to help me understand some of it."

Now he's going to want to read it again.

[a1enzo]

Pause.

"Your grandma helped you understand something?"

[heyfootballhead]

"Yeah, of course. She's not stupid, you know."

She may be completely bonkers, but there's still a sharp mind hiding under there.

[a1enzo]

"Right, right," he says hastily, "I just... thought it was hard to understand her."

[heyfootballhead]

Arnold shrugs a little. "Only most of the time."

[a1enzo]

"Okay."

And that seems to cover it.

"Hey! I have a Christmas present for you, bu-u-ut I don't actually have it. What's your shoe size?"

[heyfootballhead]

Arnold looks pleasantly surprised and a little intrigued as he divulges his shoe size. "I guess I shouldn't ask what it is, huh?"

[a1enzo]

"You can ask..."

[heyfootballhead]

"But you won't tell. Fair enough, I guess."

Arnold is currently debating whether the guessing game would be a fun diversion.

[a1enzo]

"Seems fair." Two can play at the not-telling game.

"So, what's processing with you?"

[heyfootballhead]

"Not much, we're just getting ready for Christmas."

Beat.

"Well, mostly we're trying to make sure Grandma remembers that it isn't Halloween."

[a1enzo]

"Is it working?"

[heyfootballhead]

"Our methods seem to be effective so far," he says wryly.