Page 137 of Gifted & Talented

Eilidh: Meredith, this is ridiculous, it’s practically self-flagellation!

Meredith: Is not. It’s penance.

Arthur: Even so, it does seem in poor taste for my congressional campaign, Sister Saintly.

Arthur pauses to look impressed.

Arthur: I don’t think I’ve ever used that variation before!

Eilidh looks exasperated.

Eilidh: You’re not allowed to go to prison, Meredith. What’s the point of being rich if you can’t just do time in some cushy rehab facility?

Meredith: I think it’s pretty clear that I’m trying my hardest not to be rich.

Arthur: Isn’t it funny how that works? We actively have to try.

He looks stunned.

Arthur: Maybe all billionairesarebad.

Meredith: On the subject of your campaign, I don’t suspect your polyamorous entanglements will be well met by the voting public.

Arthur (with great enthusiasm): Thank you, Sister Sage, I’d not considered that!

Meredith: Don’t sass me, Brother Lothario.

Eilidh: Hello? Has anyone remembered I exist?

Meredith: We know you exist, Eilidh. Your opinion just happens to be irrelevant at the moment.

Arthur: As does mine, evidently.

Meredith: Well, always.

Eilidh slumps into a half-charred chair.

Eilidh: I thought things would be different, you know. After everything.

She looks away.

Eilidh: I mean, are we even going to discuss the fact that we’re about to have a new sibling?

Meredith scoffs derisively.

Meredith: Please. That baby is young enough to be our collective child.

Eilidh: You get that that’sworse,right?

Arthur: I’m excited about it. I love babies.

Meredith: Says a man who doesn’t have to completely recreate his body to have one.

Arthur: I appreciate that you’re not using the word destroy! Though I did have an argument all queued up for that.

Meredith: Again, and I can’t understate this, your opinion on the matter is completely irrelevant.

Eilidh: Hello?

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