WATERFORDS AND CUSHINGS IN ANTIGUA

Sonia: It is hot today. Nice to be under the awning.

Serena: Did Ray say how long he'd be with Fred?

Sonia: You know men. Especially those trying to change the world.

Serena: I'd like to have another run at those shoppes in St. John's. I've got my VisaCard stuff sorted out. Took an hour on the phone. Can you believe it, I had to ask Fred for his card! He got all snippy, quoted stuff back at me from my book.

Sonia: For heaven's sake, Serena: really? We're on holiday!

Serena: Ya, I told him to leave that stuff for his lobbying back home. We're supposed to be relaxing.

Sonia: Hey! Why don't just you and me head up to Barbuda for a couple of days, and leave the boys here? There's Princess Diana Beach on the south side, the sand is like walking with marshmallows under your feet. The ferry from St. John's is only 90 minutes. But I can hire a private boat if you want.

Serena: I don't know. Fred gets a little sulky when I'm not around. Besides, he and Ray can't seem to leave Sons of Jacob stuff back in the U.S. Boston will still be there when we get back. Geez, it snowed there yesterday!

Sonia: Ray's pretty obsessed. Look, Serena, is everything ok with you and Fred?

Serena: Fine.

Sonia: Don't tell fish stories with me, sister. You haven't said a thing since last year. I told you I'd always be there.

Serena: Fred arranged for the girl to be transferred out of their office. She can't really complain; she's now got money and a better job.

Sonia: I'm asking about you, Serena. Not her. How are you these days? I mean, c'mon sweetie, all of that malarkey, then you get shot! Fred owes you. Serena, you have to take some time for yourself.

Serena: Speaking of, here come the boys.

Fred: One for you, one for you, and one for each of us. The fungie and pepper is on its way. I ordered for all four.

Sonia: What's in the drinks, Fred?

Fred: Well, Sonia, rum built this island, so I guess it would be a mojito.

Ray: Like last evening. And like lunch yesterday. We are going to see if we can set some records before getting back to the grind.

Sonia: I'm just trying to convince Serena that the two girls should take the ferry to Barbuda. For the day, or maybe the weekend. Just us.

Fred: Did you get the credit card sorted, or do I have to do everything?

Serena: I'm fine. First thing I did was get some cash at an ATM just in case there is another screw-up.

Ray: Well, truth be told, Fred and I just got off a call with another Jacob in D.C. We keep getting pilloried by other conservatives for lacking a fiscal policy.

Sonia: Ray - we're on holiday.

Ray: No, this is serious. Other conservatives have constructed a monetary system based on debt. The Sons of Jacob are proposing that the system be based on labour. We keep getting called socialists. One of these days we're simply going to have to solidify a base on the right, so that we're not beholden to the Libertarians competing for our part of the spectrum.

Fred: At this point, I agree with the girls. So, Sonia, if you go when will you go? And can I come with you!?

Sonia & Serena: No!

Fred: Ok, here's the fungie and pepper. There's plenty of this lazy day left to plan our time here.

Sonia: … as long as you two boys quit checking your texts.