Manuela & Alois C / houses.fedatamine.com

Alois, Manuela enter the scene

Manuela

Alois, what a pleasant surprise! Would you care to join me?

Alois

Ah, perfect! I was just looking for someone to dine with.

Alois

Let's raid the dining hall, shall we?

Alois leaves the scene

Manuela

My goodness, but you're in a good mood.

Alois, Manuela enter the scene

Alois

Manuela, I have some news. I received a letter from my wife today.

Manuela

Oh?

Alois

My daughter just picked up a new skill! Can you guess what it might be?

Manuela

Singing? Dancing? I've no idea what parents teach their kids, or why they even have children at all. Still, give me a hint. Fishing? Bricklaying? Cooking?

Alois

That's right! Spot on, as always. My wife is teaching her the basics.

Manuela

The basics of...which?

Alois

Next time I'm home, my daughter will be able to cook me all my favorite meals.

Alois

What a lucky father I am! Is any father in the world luckier than I?

Manuela

I don't know, and I don't care to know.

Alois

My wife greeting me at the door. My daughter's nervous face as she sets the meal on the table.

Alois

I'm so excited, I bet I won't even be able to taste the food as I devour it.

Manuela

Wouldn't your daughter appreciate it more if you took the time to savor—

Alois

Then I'll say, "How delicious! That was the second best meal I've ever had."

Manuela

Not first best? Shouldn't you encourage her—

Alois

"Mommy's cooking is the best, but you're a close runner-up, darling!"

Manuela

Why would you say—

Alois

"Oh, Daddy, I'm so happy you liked it," she'll say, as she embraces me, a big smile on her little face. Ah! What could make a man happier?

Manuela

You've forgotten I'm here, haven't you?

Manuela

All I wanted was a dinner companion. What did I do to deserve this?