So this afternoon at lunch I went to the local comic store to pick up Superman #417. I had to be properly prepared for a code review of our work on the AWG gatekeeper packages. It's a long story. Without going into too much detail, let me just say that Lorie knew of the needed expense in advance.

"I was bad today." I began my confession from the safe distance my office in Rockville provides me.

"What did you do now?" My poor, put-upon wife braced herself for my words.

"I wrote a check for twenty dollars at the comic shop." I winced and waited.

"To get that issue of Superman for the meeting? It was twenty dollars?" She holds understanding and patience in her voice like a fine wine.

"No, not exactly. I sort of bought some other stuff while I was there." Her magnanimous tone put me at ease.

"What other stuff?"

"Some old comics."

"Do you already have these old comics?" She asked.

"No..." My 'spider-sense started to tingle'.

"How did you know you didn't already have these comics?" She pressed.

"I had my need list with me." I shrugged.

"So you went to the shop with the intention to only buy that issue of Superman, yet you still brought your comic book 'need' list." She spoke the word 'need' as if it were a filthy beast unfit to tread her tongue.

"Uhh...." I searched my brain, a brain not half as witty as my wife's, for a quick response.

"I think you're guilty of premeditated badness!" Lorie sprung her trap.

DCD

Copyright 2002 David Charles Dill Jr.