(scene opens in dim cluttered parlor)
Me: Got your ID? Have a good day. Or try to, anyway. And find about about Cross Country.
Beta: (dismissively) I don’t want to do Cross Country.
Me: (surprised) I thought you were going to run this year?
Beta: Yeah, dad said if I ran this year, I could have a cell phone. But what he’s actually going to do is get Alpha a new one and I’d get his old one. What Alpha ever done for me? He doesn’t even like hanging out with me. (acidly) Why should I help him get a new phone?
Me: (bemused) He’s not getting a new phone, its a second-hand phone.
Beta: (sassy) Yeah, and then mine is third-hand. Again, why should I help him?
Me: So…no phone is better than a third hand phone?
Beta: (nose in the air) Exactly. (sails out, stage right)