[ Why does he get the sudden and very sneaking suspicion that this is a trap, Clementine? :( Lee moves to carefully sit across from her, both of his eyebrows lifted. ]
[Oooooh no. That's not good. Clem pulls out a little notebook from the seat next to her, opening it up. There are a lot of scribbled words in there.]
Look! I looked into it! I asked people how hard it was taking care of a puppy, and I even got a book in the library about training dogs. Ben said he would help me.
[Under the bus you go, Ben.]
See? I made a list of all the things I'd need, and when I'd take it for walks and everything.
[.. she pulled this shit when she wanted a hamster, too.]
[ The immediate impulse is to go, no, of course we can't have a puppy, Clem -- we can barely keep ourselves fed, much less a dog. But that's patently untrue; he's got a plate of food in front of him right now, doesn't he?
And - well, that was sure a lot of scribbled words. She was a kid. Why shouldn't she have a puppy?
[ As if he could in any way tell her no. Sure, it's probably not the best idea - this place was fickle as hell. Who knows when they might be cut loose back to their own worlds?
He can't think about that now. ]
So.. [ Flipping a page. ] .. you're sure you're not allergic, right?
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Yeah? What's in the kitchen?
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I'm on my way.
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[When he gets there, Clem will be sitting at the table, sandwich across from her on the other side. Her hands are neatly folded.
Have a seat, Lee.]
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Feeding me, huh?
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You always make sure I'm fed, so yes!
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Uh huh. And I make sure I'm fed, too. But this looks good. Is there, uh.. some sort of occasion?
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I want to ask you something.
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Is something wrong, Clem? Did something happen? [ Gently - he's not going to be alarmed until he has reason to. ]
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No! Everything's fine. I just...
[Oh, she looks worried. Ben made it sound like Lee wouldn't like the idea.
But... that's Ben. Even Clem knows.]
I was wondering if I--if we--couldgetapuppyplease?
[She braces for impact.]
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Finally, then, incredulously, he repeats: ]
You want a puppy?
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Look! I looked into it! I asked people how hard it was taking care of a puppy, and I even got a book in the library about training dogs. Ben said he would help me.
[Under the bus you go, Ben.]
See? I made a list of all the things I'd need, and when I'd take it for walks and everything.
[.. she pulled this shit when she wanted a hamster, too.]
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And - well, that was sure a lot of scribbled words. She was a kid. Why shouldn't she have a puppy?
God. ]
You've been talking to Ben about this, huh?
[ He's smiling very, very subtly. ]
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[There. Better.]
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[ Clever girl. :') ]
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Only because I wanted to make sure I knew everything, first!
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It's all pretty detailed and accurate for a 9 year old's research.]
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He can't think about that now. ]
So.. [ Flipping a page. ] .. you're sure you're not allergic, right?
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... you're not, are you?
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[ He's smiling a little more obviously now. ]
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I... I don't know.
[IS THAT A YES?]
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Then I guess we'll just have to look until you find something you like.
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Thank you, Lee!
[... in theory, she could have done whatever she wanted, but...]
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It's fine, Clem. You're the one who's gonna be taking care of it, right?
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Yeah! But you can play with it.
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[ He leans back, releasing her. ]
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[Clem decides to just sit next to him now, vibrating with excitement.]
I made Jell-o, too.
[JUST IN CASE.]
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Were you really afraid that I'd say no, Clem?
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... a little. Ben made it sound like you would.
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Think you've proved that you've done your research. Can't hurt to try, right?
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