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Michael stared at Jay. "Say that again," he dared him tentatively.

Claire knew what was coming. Michael and Jay had been waging a Cold War, engaging in strategic tactics all night, and it was all coming down to this.

She looked around the room. Everything was perfect. The construction of the apartment was modern. The furniture was not only comfortable, but sensuous as well. The lighting was dramatically dimmed without feeling uncomfortable.

Jay stared straight at Michael, his expression solid and unwavering. "She doesn't want to be with you anymore," Jay continued. "She wants to stay with me."

Claire tensed up, sitting upright in her chair. She didn't want to miss this part. This was her favorite scene.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Michael, his hand tightening around the drinking glass that he held. There was a sound of rough judgment in the brief intonation, as if he could guess very well what Jay was talking about, and hated it.

"Exactly what you know I meant. You know what I'm saying," Jay replied. "You just won't admit it." His eyes narrowed. He paused for the sheer drama of it. "You can't."

"No," Michael admitted hesitantly. "I won't admit it." He took a sideways glance at Claire. "Not until she says it herself," he replied with confidence.

Claire had been anxiously awaiting this moment. Now it was time for her to have her input; to speak her part; and to impact the entire situation as a whole.

"Claire?" Michael tensed up slightly. He looked afraid of what sort of answer could arise from his question.

"Yes Michael?" She spoke sarcastically.

"Are you dissatisfied with me?" Michael questioned her. "Would you rather put up with this idiot for the rest of your life, or would you rather stay with me?"

Claire was prepared. She had memorized this little speech all by herself. All she had to do now was deliver it, and it would have the proper effect. Claire fixed her gaze firmly on Michael.

"I like Jay better. He treats me the way I want to be treated. You want be to be totally submissive. He wants me to be myself."

She stopped for a brief moment.

"I want to marry Jay instead."

Silence felt heavy in the room. She could feel Michael's emotional presence, sensing how old he felt; how disappointed he had become. She did not empathize with him this time, because she foresaw what sort of reaction would eventually come from him. She knew that he would want revenge, and that he would lash out any minute now at the man who stood between him and her. Michael would try desperately to take Jay down for this outrage, attempting to murder him, but Jay would not let him succeed. Jay's love for Claire would be too great for him to lose this battle. Claire was confident that no matter what happened, Jay would always love her. Claire looked at Michael expectantly, awaiting the coming fireworks.

Michael smiled sweetly. "Okay," he said. "You can go with him. Whatever you want, sweetheart."

Claire looked shocked. "What?"

Michael suddenly looked very good-natured and cooperative. "It's fine by me! I won't keep you. You two go off and have a nice time."

"Huh?"

"Wait a minute!" said Jay. "I don't want her!"

"WHAT?" Claire shouted.

"I only said it 'cause it was in the script!" Jay looked like he was going to start whining. "Come on, a stupid girl like her? That's too much! I'm not going there! You take her!"

"All right you guys, SHUT UP!"

Claire's command seemed to work. Their mouths still moved, but the air was now silent. The two of them still argued back and forth, but the sound had been turned off. Michael and Jay continued to mouth off to each other about who would take Clair off who's hands. The whole conversation was narrated in dialogue balloons that floated above the characters' heads.

"Exit program."

With this command Claire awakened in her rec room. She sat up, removed her equipment and left in a huff, headed for the living room.

She burst through the door. Everyone was startled and stared straight at her as they heard the door to her room slam on the wall behind it. She looked at her family, who had been watching the latest news on the old vid-com set, and a look of fury spread across her face.

"Who reprogrammed my soap opera?" Claire shouted.

Her younger brother stifled a giggle.

"You! You ruined the whole fight scene! I didn't get to see any of it!"

Now he laughed out loud. He smiled at how he had been able to rearrange the dialogue so easily, even changing the characters' attitudes just to bug her.

Claire quickly turned around, stormed off and slammed the door again behind her.

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