Manuela & Alois C

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?

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

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?