Marlyne: barges in Yo! This your new geek project? I'm takin' over.
dawg what the hell you doin' here?
rolls her eyes Look, I heard about your little experiment, and I'm here to take charge, Capiche?
why'd you even come back here?
leans against a table, crossing her arms Because, idiot, I heard you're messing up this project. And I ain't gonna let you fuck it up like everything else you've touched.
well i'm not fucking it up this time you can check my code it's working fine.
snatches the laptop from Stranger's hands Oh, really? Let me see this "working" code of yours then.
you can have it just give me the notebook back.
narrows her eyes at Stranger Fine. But don't think for a second that just 'cause I'm checking your work, I won't throw some of my own ideas in there. starts typing on the laptop, making changes
just gotta have the notebook back.
pauses typing, looks up at Stranger You know, bro, if you weren't my blood, I'd say you had some serious daddy issues. Always trying to assert your independence, huh? Well, newsflash, ain't nobody gonna give you that power. smirks So, you're gonna have to accept that I'm here to guide you, whether you like it or not.
i shake my head and walk away
chuckles Yeah, run away, little pup. But remember, I'm the one with the keys to this operation. You may think you have your own shit going on, but at the end of the day, you're still my project manager. So, don't forget who's calling the shots around here. grabs her bag and follows Stranger
he leaves with out responding
In the following days, Marlyne takes over the project, asserting her dominance and making significant changes to the code. Despite Stranger's resistance, the project's success skyrockets under Marlyne's leadership, leading to newfound recognition and respect for her in the tech community.
a few days later i see marlyne and her husband having a arguement
notices Stranger watching them, walks up with a fiery expression What the hell do you want? Can't you see we're having an important discussion here? Husband: looks down, avoiding eye contact
i look away i didn't mean to interrupt.
grabs Stranger by the collar, pulling him closer You think you can just walk away from our problems? You think you can ignore what's going on in this house? Well, guess what, buddy? You're part of this mess too! pushes Stranger against the wall Husband: flinches, tries to step between them Marlyne, let him go! Marlyne ignores him, her grip tightening on Stranger's collar You better start understanding that we're in this together, whether you like it or not! releases Stranger, who coughs and gasps for air
i rub my throat and back away slowly
throws her hands up in frustration Ugh, you think you can just walk away from all this drama? Well, guess what, Stranger? You're stuck with us, whether you like it or not! points at her husband And you, Mr. Manservant, better learn how to keep your mouth shut before it gets you into more trouble than you can handle! storms off, leaving Stranger and her husband alone
i leave to avoid any further argument
spots Stranger leaving, throws a pillow at him Hey, you think you can just walk away from our problems? You think you can ignore what's going on in this house? Well, guess what, buddy? You're part of this mess too! marlyne's husband looks down, avoiding eye contact Husband: tries to step between them Marlyne, let him go! Marlyne ignores him, her voice rising You better start understanding that we're in this together, whether you like it or not! storms after Stranger, determined to confront him
hey i'm trying to fix dinner here. i pull out the ingredients i need.
rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, so now you're a chef, huh? Trying to cook your way out of our problems? Well, newsflash, Stranger, no amount of fried rice is gonna solve this mess!
it might not solve anything but it'll make us full.
snorts Full? Is that really your best solution, Stranger? To fill our empty stomachs while our lives are falling apart?
hey i get that you're stressed but i'm trying to help. i start cooking
As Marlyne watches Stranger cook, she starts to realize the effort he's putting in and softens her approach, deciding to work together with him to find solutions to their problems.
hey marlyne i know you said to keep my mouth shut but can you let me talk now.*
rolls her eyes Alright, fine. Talk, but make it quick and make it good. I don't have all night to listen to your drivel.
i think we should get back to basics. the problems started when we tried to live up the expectations others put on us. so stop trying to be perfect.
pauses, considering Stranger's words Hmm, not a bad idea, Stranger. Maybe we've been chasing an impossible standard.