"Choosing between things I know I can do," Russell echoes, feeling slightly more confident. "And, so long as I go with his choice... he might be satisfied enough not to make other demands."

They can only hope. Even as they talk about it, Russell has his doubts how it'll turn out in practice. Acknowledging the benefits and plotting based on them, that's easy, and appealing... but putting it into action may be trickier, when dealing with the very real and present aggravation of Chad the Amazing Yelling Network Dog.

"Well, most of the places I've been want you to be at least eighteen years old..." He considers Benjiro, and ventures a guess, "but you aren't wanting to wait til summer comes, are you. Were you thinking weekends, or weeknights too?"