Surrender

Not the basketball game again!

Gunther closed the office door, Badri got the nerf basketball out. I'd already eaten lunch so I had no escape. Gunther stood in the left corner of the room and took his first shot. Right in the basket, score 1 for Gunther. Then he banked his second shot off the left wall. Score 2 more for Gunther. Then he missed one, thank God, and moved over to the center of the room. First shot there, right in the basket. Score another 2 points for Gunther. Two misses, thank God. Finally, Gunther moved over to the right side of the room.

"Excuse me, Jim," he said, "would you mind moving your chair?" I had to stand up and watch the game. I understood at that moment just how hard it was to feign enthusiasm and interest in a straight guy brouhaha. I'd much rather surf the Internet for the film histories of Greta Garbo and Maria Ouspenskaya. Now let's have a lunch-time competition at the office with that. "Okay, guys, we'll have ten rounds of film trivia, first category is Legendary Actresses of the 1930s." We'll see just how well they score.

Gunther scored a total of 9 points after his third round on the right side of the room. I sat back in my chair -- but only until Badri made his way over here. He got 8 points. And then Wei-Li took his turn, scored 10 points, first segment on the left side of the room with his back to the basket. And then my turn. Okay, guys, let's get this over with ... zero for zero.

Tomorrow I'll suggest Legendary Actresses of the 1930s. Until then I surrender!