A SPONTANEOUS SMILE appears. He embraces the familiar sensation as it forms on his face. The smile is elicited by music coming from the next room, unmistakably played on his own guitar. Protocol would be to ask for permission, but the technique indicates a musician he trusts. The sonority of this instrument heard from a space apart is an oddly private delight. He examines other faces in the room. Nobody else gets it.

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“BUBBLEBATH?” IS all she can think of to say. Finding her soaking in the bathtub fully clothed, her husband had asked: “Did you forget something Hon?” Water sloshes to the floor as she sits up. Giving him a wink and an addled grin, she shrugs and offers: “I think it’s under the sink. Can you help a girl out?” Both smile, searching the other’s face for clues. Neither knows what the hell is going on or what to do next.

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GEOFF IS ALLERGIC to irony, which is ironic and makes him sick to his stomach. Gladys is oblivious to irony. Geoff often has to explain to her what is causing his discomfort. This only makes things worse. Ironically, Gladys is the only woman who will put up with his affliction. Geoff would gladly pay just to see Gladys’ smile. The best thing in his life is when she smiles at him. He gets hives just thinking about it!

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ATTACKED BY CHUPACABRA? Duane knows it’s more likely he’ll be impaled by unicorns. But, you don’t get to choose your phobias. He’s caught out after dark. The familiar hike across the pasture turns into a blind, uncertain stumble. He can’t shake the feeling he’s being stalked by mythical, blood sucking predators. “Can it get any worse than this?” he thinks. It does. He trips and falls full frontal onto fresh cow pies.

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