Validation Education

The Players: BA and Husband

The Stage: Our living room, Thursday night, in the viewing waste land that is the time slot preceding E.R. during which we catch up on all our other weekly favorites.

The Scene: BA and Husband discuss the issue of validating one another's petty annoyances. Let's watch...

BA: Dammit Allison! You know Manny is going to call you in the middle of the night! Just move the goddamned phone already!!!

Husband (bewildered): Why does that bother you so much?

BA: Because it's stupid. Nobody would let their wife climb over them night after night to answer the phone. They would move it to her side of the bed.

Husband: It's a television show.

BA: Yes, I know, and it's supposed to be REALISTIC. That is not realistic. It pisses me off the way it pisses you off when they get technology stuff wrong.

Husband: Okay. Whatever, but I don't let it ruin the show for me.

BA: It's not ruining the show for me.

Husband: Well obviously it's bothering you.

BA: It's not BOTHERING me. It annoys me, that's all.

Husband: Whatever you say, hon.

Moments later, Husband attempts to execute a command to the DVR program, whereupon the parental control password prompt is activated for no apparent reason. Husband enters password, but not fast enough for the 4 second timer. It scolds husband for entering the wrong password. Husband, muttering to himself, re-enters password. When at last the password is accepted, the recording has been interrupted, and we are shown the program currently being aired instead.

Husband (strenuously pushing buttons): GODAMMIT! This is THE worst program ever. What kind of moron wrote this?? Haven't they ever heard of beta testing? Idiots.

BA: I know. Its unbelievable.

Husband (shooting wife a look): I'm serious! This program is not user friendly at all, and it is riddled with bugs.

BA: I know! I'm agreeing with you. It's maddening.

Husband: Don't patronize me.

BA: I'm not patronizing you. I'm validating you.

Husband: Why?

BA: Because that's what you do when someone expresses annoyance. I thought you might like a demonstration since you failed to live up to your contractual obligation to validate me. It's in the wedding vows. I could divorce you right now.

Husband: Shut up.

BA: I'm just saying.

There is a brief pause while husband re-starts the recording. We watch in silence for a few moments.

Husband: That is pretty stupid about the phone though.

BA: You're not getting sex tonight.

Husband: But...I validated you.

BA: Too little too late dude.

Husband: Damn. Story of my life.

BA and husband grin at one another. Husband hands BA the popcorn. BA feeds husband a piece. The curtain falls.


(Apologies to Lucinda for ripping off her format.)