We're going to play a game.
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On the radio: "You better watch your step."
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In the kitchen, our principal player: Curt.
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In Curt's mind, a thought about breakfast. A thought about lunch.
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In the kitchen, Curt's father: Dad.
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On the radio: "You better watch your step."
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In the kitchen, our principal player, Curt, can be seen from the window. He is outside, in the yard. In his mind, a thought about inside. A thought about another house. A house he saw with "Monica."
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In a kitchen: "Monica."
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In the kitchen window, Dad, stares out at his son, Curt.
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"Monica" is not in a kitchen. She is on a walk with her dogs. This game is full of lies. It is a game about lying and laying in wait.
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Like a wolf.
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Your turn.
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You are in front of a computer. A laptop. Your eyes run across the sentence. The radio is off.
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The radio is on. Dad turns it off.
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Curt is not outside.
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"Monica" is in a car.
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She is naked in Curt's mind.
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Dad. Every father has seen his child naked. Did you forget?
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Every father has come into the world naked.
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You don't know about this game. Something about it makes you uncomfortable.
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You can stop. That would make you a loser.
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My turn.
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On the radio: "You better watch your step."
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Dad is eating a cereal that is good for his heart.
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Curt is in his bedroom. He is still asleep.
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Did you really think he was outside thinking about inside, a house, breakfast, lunch? He was not. He has been sleeping this whole time.
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"Monica" is in a car. She is traveling somewhere. Above, the car is a blue dot. Above, the car is turning onto a road, and another. Below, the car makes a sound like keys tossed in an empty bowl. Inside, "Monica's" radio is turned on. "You better watch your step."
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It's a different song. It is a radio show now in the kitchen. Dad listens.
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First, he must turn on the radio.
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Dad turns on the radio. Dad listens.
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Curt is waking up.
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You are thinking about something.
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Mostly lies.
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Your face is moving because it is trying to be still.
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"Monica's" car disappears. I lost sight of it from above. From below, it is the same noise.
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Your turn.
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If you stop now, you lose.
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Keep going.
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What happens in a game?
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Someone cheats. It's my turn.
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Already?
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Yes.
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It is all about Curt.
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The radio show Dad listens to is about myths.
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Basements can be built in Oklahoma. But no one in Oklahoma believes this.
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Then the tornadoes come.
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"Monica" listens to the radio show.
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Woof. Woof.
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Her dogs are in the backseat.
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Curt says, "Woof. Woof."
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The radio says: "Woof. Woof."
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Which author do dogs like best?
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Is this game boring you?
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Virginia Woof.
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You lose a turn.
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Curt is still waking up.
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"Monica" is thinking about a "house."
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The dogs are wagging their tales.
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Dad turns off the radio.
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Oklahoma doesn't have homes with basements.
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Curt gets out of bed.
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You forget what this game is all about.
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That's right. I never told you.
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Just like that. Game over.
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The wolf pounces.
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The lies proliferate.
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The game, even after it has ended, continues on and on.
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Our principal player, Curt, doesn't even realize.
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He yawns.
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