Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FIZZLE (06/09/16)
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TITLE: The Negotiator | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Warren
06/16/16 -
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"Are you allergic?" Seth asked.
"No, just don't like 'em."
"You'll have to eat some then."
Leo chuckled. "Not me. I can get out of eating anything. My sister calls me 'The Negotiator.' When my mom and dad try the 'you have to eat 'x' number of bites' routine, I can always negotiate to zero bites. Whatever Mom and Dad throw at me - I can get out of it."
"My parents don't negotiate … especially with children," Seth assured Leo, parroting what his mom and dad said on the off chance that he or his siblings tried to negotiate what they would eat.
"Well then, watch and learn," Leo responded confidently.
Seth started to warn Leo again.
"Boys! Wash your hands and come to dinner." Vickie, Seth's mom, called from the hallway.
Seth and Leo went into the bathroom to wash their hands. "Watch 'The Negotiator,'" Leo whispered as they headed up the hallway toward the dining room.
When they got to the dining area, Seth's three siblings were already seated and Nick, their dad, was adjusting the chair for Vickie. Nick always seated Vickie, a habit they hoped their sons would continue when they got married.
Seth sat to the right of Michael, the younger of his brothers. Leo sat on Seth's right by Seth's sister, Brittany.
"Thank you, Love. This looks great," Nick said as he seated himself on Vickie's right and kissed her cheek. "Who wants to pray?"
"I will," chimed Seth's brother Tristan, the older of his brothers.
"Excellent," Nick said as they all held hands.
"Thank you, Jesus, for our food. Thank you for school so we can learn stuff. Thank you I got a good grade on my Social Studies test. Thank you Mom and Dad have jobs so we can have food and a house. Thank you that we have a family. And maybe we can have dessert too?" He peaked at Vickie and Nick who didn't open their eyes but did grin. "In Jesus' name. Amen."
"Thank you, sweetie," Vickie said as she tousled Tristan's straight black hair.
Nick put some chicken on Michael's plate and passed the chicken on to the right to Seth. Vickie took some steamed carrots and passed to them to Tristan who was on her left. Seth started the Brussels sprouts by taking some and then passed them to Leo. Leo didn't take any and passed the bowl to Brittany.
"Leo, you didn't take Brussels sprouts," Vickie observed.
"I don't eat Brussels sprouts," Leo said.
"Really?" Vickie asked.
"My parents don't make me."
"Are you allergic?" Vickie asked.
"No, just don't want to."
"You're at our house so you'll need to eat some," Nick assured Leo.
"Mom and Dad really don't make me."
Nick considered their options. "Find two small sprouts and cut them in half. That'll make four bites."
Leo winked at Seth. 'The Negotiator' was ready.
"Don't do it," Seth whispered.
Leo grinned. "What about one bite?" Leo countered.
Nick and Vickie looked at each other. Was there really a counter-offer on the table? They glanced at Seth.
Seth shook his head as if to say 'It wasn't my idea.'
Seth and his siblings ate without looking at their parents or Leo. Truthfully they were about to break out laughing. They knew what was coming next and Leo wouldn't win. Nick glanced back at Vickie and winked. How they loved this tag-team game they played when the children tried to negotiate.
Vickie nodded her head slightly and put down her fork.
"Okay," Vickie pretended to entertain Leos counter-offer. "What about six bites?"
"What?" Leo exclaimed.
"What about six bites," Vickie repeated.
"That's not how you negotiate," Leo balked.
"Warned you," Seth whispered.
"Negotiate?" Vickie asked quizzically. "Mr. Woergeter and I don't negotiate … especially with children."
Nick joined in the 'negotiation.' "So, for the next five seconds the original offer is still on the table. Four bites or six bites? Your choice."
Leo looked at Seth.
Seth raised his eyebrows as if to say, "You better decide quickly."
"Four," Leo conceded.
"Very good," said Nick. "Four it is."
Vickie and Nick did a "low five" under the table.
"By the way, Leo, we'll be explaining to your parents how to negotiate," Vickie said.
"Great," Leo mumbled, his bubble burst.
The Negotiator had been defeated.
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