GROUNDING
A FATHER stands in the doorway of his son's room. His SON is
sitting on the bed, looking down at his feet.
FATHER
You're grounded.
SON
Why?
FATHER
Because you intimidate me. You're becoming a better version
of me and it scares me. I'll keep you in here till you're worse.
SON
That's not fair! I don't do anything wrong!
FATHER
What is it that you do?
SON
I go to social events and feel jealous of everyone. I plot
their demise in my head.
FATHER
Like murder?
SON
No, social demise. I imagine worlds where I become more
powerful than all of them.
FATHER
How about me? Do you imagine becoming more powerful than me?
SON
No I don't think about you.
FATHER
Then I'm re-grounding you for that! You could at least pay me
the respect of imagining my demise!
SON
When I think about you I think mostly nice things.
FATHER
Like what?
SON
I remember that you took me to see the Stars. And that you
bought me the DeathStallion Space War set.
FATHER
I see. How about the summer program at Marathon College?
SON
No I didn't care about that.
FATHER
Then you're grounded for that! Triple grounded! Until you
become exactly what I want, but in a non-intimidating version.
SON
Ironically, this will drive me to overcome you and prove
myself better.
FATHER
QUADRUPLE GROUNDED!