(Untitled)

[maxthemonkey]

[at the table, concentrating on homework]

Comments

[garrett_cain]

[sits next to Max with a book, a pen, and a notebook. He gives Max a smile as he opens his book.] Can I join ya?

[garrett_cain]

Yes, I do. I have to take notes on a chapter in this book. [he pats the thick book]

[maxthemonkey]

[his attention is caught; looks from the book to Garrett] Is it a story-book?

[garrett_cain]

[shakes his head] I wish it was, but it's not. It's a book on political philosophy. [tries to think of a way to explain it to the young boy] It's a study of the relationship between individuals, like you and me, and society...which would be everyone together. [makes a face] Okay, think of it this way; it would be like studin' the relationship between you and the family - what is your responsibility to others in the family?

[maxthemonkey]

[nods along, even though he has no idea what Daddy is talking about; smiles at Garrett's funny face] Um... spons-billty is my, um.. [he knows this] My sign-ment! [he sits up straighter] Um, my sign-ment is um.. help Tyler with the chores. Help Mommy with the chores. [makes a face, because he can't think of anything else; guesses] Help Mama Beck with the chores? [remembers one more and lowers his voice to a whisper] Do not talk about the bad people.

[garrett_cain]

[he nods as Max names his responsibilities] Yeah, exactly, Max. You're an individual but you are also part of the whole group. If we acted like we could do whatever we wanted, without concern of how that affects other people, or we acted selfishly and didn't care about helping others, society - or our family group - would fall apart. [smiles] I know that's a lot for you to understand, but you do have the idea. Basically, we need to be nice and help each other. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way.

[maxthemonkey]

[makes a face when Garrett suggests doing whatever they want; they bad kids at the parks do that, and he doesn't like them] Bein' nice is good. [nods] Grama say-id there is more flies in the honey. [nods again] And honey is good. [his eyes widen] That is why ev-erybody calls ev-erybody honey!

[looks at his paper, wondering if he should change his H-word]

[garrett_cain]

[smiles] I think you're on to something there, kiddo!

[maxthemonkey]

I am gonna change my word.

[scribbles a line through his H-word]

[garrett_cain]

[smiles]

[maxthemonkey]

[finishes writing and looks at the page; it doesn't look right, but none of them do]

[makes a face and tries to think of an M-word]

[garrett_cain]

[starts to write things down as he reads]

[maxthemonkey]

[finally has an idea and starts writing]

[garrett_cain]

[smiles when he notices Max is busy writing. He takes a sip of his coffee and then goes back to reading.]

[maxthemonkey]

[looks at the ceiling, trying to sound out the next word]

[puts down his pencil after three words] I gotta have a break. [sighs and reaches for his juice]

[garrett_cain]

[he nods] Don't rush yourself, take as much time as you need.