Chapter 13

“Hi, Liz.  Nice of you to contact me.”

“Your mother said . . . ”

“Did she?”

“You didn’t have to accept the chat.”

“I didn’t?”

“Why are you off with me?”

“Am I being off?”

“I can read between the lines.”

“We all have our gifts.”

“Well, that’s mine.  The Mod officially recognized . . .”

“I bet they did.”

“You don’t have to cut me off like that.”

“Like what?”

"I was telling you about my honor.”

“You have honor?”

“We all have gifts, Amelia.”

"I just told you that.”

“What?”

“That we all have gifts, Liz.”

“Then you can’t disagree.”

“My mother said you were quick.”

“Did she?”

“Yes, she did.”

“That’s an honor.”

"There’s another one for you.”

“You don’t have to dismiss my accomplishments like that.”

“Why don’t you post about them?”

“I did.”

“And I bet all your friends were so proud of you.”

“They were.”

“Then why do you need me for one more validation?”

“It’s always the last one that means the most.”

“Or the one you can’t have.”

“What’s the difference, Amelia?”

“The difference is all the difference in the world.”

“Your logic escapes me.”

“Guess you’re not as quick as my mom thought.”

“I don’t have to take this.”

“Then don’t.”

“I don’t want to chat with you anymore.”

“Then don’t.”

“You shouldn’t repeat yourself like that.  It’s redundant and inefficient.”

“Then don’t repeat yourself, Liz.”

“I’m not repeating myself.”

“No, but you’re being inefficient just the same.”

“How am I being inefficient?”

“Because redundancy is inefficient.  They’re synonymous in City.  Plus, you could just end the
chat.”

“Why don’t you end the chat?”

“I’m in an institution presently, and I don’t feel like doing my nightlies.  What’s your excuse?”

“You’re using me to procrastinate?”

"Yes, Liz, I am.  I am using the digits out of you.”

“I’m not going to sit here and take this.”

“Then don’t.”

“Stop.  Stop repeating that phrase.”

“Then don’t.”

“I’m ending the chat.”

“Please do.”