“But he’s always saving the day,” Clark argued. “Like, always.”
“Exactly. He’s just a talking deus ex machina. Everybody on the ship treats him like a dumb kid, then he saves them at the last minute and, every single time, they go right back to treating him like a dumb kid again. Do I need to remind you that the starship Enterprise is full of genius scientists and engineers? Why’s this kid who can’t get into Starfleet Academy smarter than all of them?”
“Good point,” Clark said. “He’s still my choice, though. So, umm . . . where’s the ON switch to this room?”
“I know, right?” Solomon said. “It’s just paint and tape.”
“You watch Community?” Clark asked.
“I’ve seen an episode or two.”
“One of the characters has a room like this. Calls it the Dreamatorium. But his works, sort of. I’ll show you sometime.”
“That would be awesome,” Solomon said. “Why can’t it be real? Where’s the future we were promised, man?”
“For real,” Clark said. “We’re supposed to have cooler things than drones that deliver toilet paper.”
“Drones deliver your toilet paper?” Solomon asked.
“Okay, so that is kind of cool. But, still. Where’s my virtual reality? Where’s my hover car? And where the hell is teleportation?”
“Why don’t we teleport back to the living room, guys?” Lisa suggested. “I’m sorry to tell you that this room sort of gives me a headache.”
“Fine,” Clark said, disappointed. “But can I ask you one more thing?”
“Sure,” Solomon said.
“Do you ever stand in here with that garage door open?”
“No I do not.”
“Interesting,” Clark said.
When they were back in the living room, seated exactly how they’d been before, the awkward silence set in. It was inevitable, Lisa figured, but she was determined not to let any moment of this day be soured, so she immediately hopped up, walked over to the cabinet where they kept the board games, and opened it wide, turning to look their way.
“Let’s teach Clark how to play Munchkin so we can destroy him.”
“I’m in,” Clark said.
“She’s very good,” Solomon added, standing up. “It’s disturbing, actually.”
“No mercy,” Lisa said.
When they were all set up at the dining room table, Lisa knew she’d made the right decision. Already, Solomon seemed more relaxed as he shuffled the cards and started explaining the rules. She did notice a difference, though, between the way he’d taught her and the way he was teaching Clark. The first time, he’d haphazardly given her the basics of the game and, ultimately, decided to just start playing and teach her as they went along. But with Clark, he was taking the time to go over every little rule and circumstance possible. And even though it stretched out longer than it should have, Lisa knew why. He finally had something to say to Clark and he didn’t want it to end.
FIFTEEN
SOLOMON REED
Solomon couldn’t believe this guy. He knew five phrases in Klingon and Dothraki. And he showed off these skills with a confidence that normally would’ve annoyed Solomon. But, from Clark, it was endearing and innocent. It felt like he’d always been around. And just after Lisa beat them both at the first game, Solomon realized they’d been practically ignoring her the entire time.
“Sorry,” he said, looking her way. “I bet we’re boring you to death.”
“I’m past death,” she said, smiling. “Hell was great. Less Star Trek references.”
They ended up playing two more rounds, with a break for pizza in between. Lisa won the first and Clark won the second. It was weird, having friends like this, at his house, playing a game like it was no big deal. It wasn’t to them, he thought. Which was so perfect—nothing was forced. They were just there to have fun.
Mostly, though, he watched Clark. Every single turn he would silently inspect his hand, looking back and forth from the table to his cards before making a move. When he drew a good card, he’d raise his right eyebrow just slightly enough to be noticed and when he drew a bad card, he’d frown a little. And even despite noticing these things, Solomon was still too distracted to beat him.
“Beginner’s luck,” he said after the second game. “Your time will come. Rest assured.”
“Oh yeah?” Clark asked. “You care to make it interesting?”
“I do,” he replied. “I wager the hand of your lady.”
“Wait . . . what?” Lisa said, helping put away the cards.
“Oh, you can have her,” Clark joked. “What else you got?”
“Very funny,” Lisa said. “It’s getting kind of late.”
“Yeah,” Clark agreed. “Where are your parents?”
“They went to dinner and a movie,” he said.
“Now that is something I bet you miss,” Clark said. “Going to the movies, I mean.”
“I do. But, I have Wi-Fi and TV, so it’s not a big deal.”
“But the popcorn,” Clark added.
“Sometimes they bring some home.”