>Be Evan

>Be ten, playing PlayStation in the living room.

>Dad is nursing baby Maddie with a bottle at the kitchen table.

>Jason and their mother are out somewhere.

>Dad, when the new millennium comes, will we have to go live underground?

>I'm not planning on it. Why?

>I just heard we might have to.

>No, I think the worst thing that'll happen is the computer's clock might get messed up.

>Why?

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>Because, son, computers are stupid.

>Evan keeps playing the PlayStation. He's playing Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

>His dad has a beer in front of him and takes a sip.

>Evan looks at him.

>Can I have some beer?

>Sure, his dad says without hesitation. Just a sip.

>Evan takes one. It's terrible.

>Maddie gurgles, her mouth milky with formula.

>Dad dabs Maddie's lips with a cloth napkin. She starts fussing again.

>Do you got a real sad story? he coos.

>I don't like beer, Evan tells him.

>Don't tell your mom how you figured that out, their dad says as he gets up and pats Maddie on the back, trying to get her to burp.

>Maddie starts to get louder.

>Banshee's got a real sad story, their dad says again, more to himself and the baby than to Evan. She's taking a little detour through Searing Gas Pain Land, yes, she is.

>Evan watches as his dad walks from room to room, doting on the fussy infant.

>Hey Dad, he says.

>Not now, Evan, says his dad. Little busy.

>Evan watches him some more, wants to say something but can't think of anything good enough to say.

>After a minute, he goes back to Crash.