Page 38 of Even in the Dark

Dylan:Nope.

Dr. Morley:Well, count yourself lucky. It’s absolute drivel.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:So, what’s your poison? You a comedy guy? Actionmovie guy?

Dylan:Look, I’m done. Is Phil back yet from running errands or whatever he went to do?

Dr. Morley:I believe he’s in the waiting room, yes… Look, give me ten more minutes of your time, Dylan, and we’ll cut out early. We can talk about anything you want… School me on the most under-rated band right now… Or fill me in on the lamest class you have to take at your new school. Don’t they have all those weird classes at private schools now? With clever acronyms. Aren’t acronyms the big thing these days?

Dylan:What’s an acronym?

Dr. Morley:When they use the first letter of words in a sentence and put them together. Like… NASA is an acronym. First letters of each word in National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Dylan:Huh.

Dr. Morley:Only with programs in schools, they usually try to get all clever. Like AVID—for Advancement Via Individual Determination. That kind of thing.

Dylan:That a real one or you just make it up?

Dr. Morley:Real one.

Dylan:Seriously?

Dr. Morley:True story.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:So… Do they have any of those programs at SH Prep?

Dylan:Probably. Look, I said I’m done, man.

Dr. Morley:Alrighty. Just one last question.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:You get to ask me the question, though. Anything you want.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Come on. Hit me. Anything at all.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Rare opportunity here, Dylan. I don’t offer this chance up to just anybody. Sooner you ask me something, sooner we’re done.

Dylan:Fine. How much is Phil paying you?

Dr. Morley:Oof… Hitting me with the money question.

Dylan:Pretty sure you asked me a couple money questions earlier.

Dr. Morley:[laughs] I did, didn’t I? Alright then, my hourly rate is two-hundred-and-fifty dollars.

Dylan:Two-hundred-and… What thefuck?For asking a bunch of bullshit questions?

Dr. Morley:[laughs] Wow. Good to know you think my questions are bullshit.

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