Todd began to pick at the strings with obvious expertise. A complicated bass line flew from his hands, his breakneck speed almost impossible.
Then Todd began to sing, "This is a song by Todd- If you think you're better you're a fraud..."
…
A while later, Todd raised his arms up in the air, like a rock star receiving a standing ovation after playing the world's greatest song. He looked at Ramona expectantly.
"Well? Wasn't that impressive? That was frigging beastly, right?"
"Sure..." Ramona said slowly. "But uh...the lyrics could use some work...and your...pitch, maybe? And, well, the 10 minute bass solo seemed a little bit...
Todd looked wounded.
"But," Ramona put in quickly, "otherwise it was really...awesome?"
Todd stared at Ramona. "Ramona, all there waswas bass and vocals."
"Uh..."
"So, basically, what you're saying is, the whole thing sucked?"
Ramona opened her mouth to say something, but Todd just shook his head. "You know what, babe? I'm gonna take your advice. I mean, I don't want to end up like Lucas, right?"
Ramona breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Right." She looked at Todd with admiration. "You know what, Todd? You aren't so bad."
"Yeah, I know. I'm actually very enviable."