Llew sighed, and closed the door behind him. It had been decided that he would be allowed to go back to his apartment after the first three days of working at Uncle Merry’s. That was what he had told his roommate when he came over the first time. He called it working for ‘Uncle Merry’, it was a lot of fun. And no one would disagree. The man’s name was ‘Uncle Merry’ after all, it was bound to be happy and joyful.

The apartment was empty, and Llew rejoiced. His roommate and a few friends had gone off on a road trip somewhere. It would have been nice if Llew could go, but he said no.

“I’ve got way too many deadlines, you guys, besides, I’ve got to work for my Uncle now. He’s really counting on me.”

“Oh, the great Llewellyn Price is complaining about deadlines!” Vince had mocked. “Seriously man, you need to get a real life.” The fight that had ensued wrecked not only the living room, but the kitchen. After everything had been cleaned up, the two decided Vince would leave in the morning and come back a day after spring break was over. Llew sighed. He would never be able to bring himself to miss classes like that, anyway.

It was somewhat nice to be alone, he decided. He wouldn’t have to talk about how much ‘fun’ it was to work with his uncle. Today wasn’t fun at all. He thought that after five, the guy named ‘Nathaniel’ wouldn’t come and bother him. That didn’t work out as planned.

“I was delighted with the salmon, really I was.” He had declared, “It was as if, as if, I had made it, isn’t that marvelous?”

“Really?” Llew had asked, “Wow. How wonderful for you. Now leave me alone.”

“You don’t mean that! You must know you’re a horrible cook, don’t you?”

“Listen, just because you’re used to having you’re high end salmon fillet doesn’t mean that I can’t…”

“Cook? No. You can’t. I know you can’t. Don’t those two phrases sound remarkably similar? Anyway, while I do realize that for dinner we will be having meat and potatoes, I was hoping that you would grace us—and by us, I’m afraid I mean me—with something not quite as dull.”

“You should go away. Really. I will ring the bell.”

“Oh no you will not.” Nathaniel’s voice took on an edge.

“You are not the one holding a kitchen knife.” Llew was very pleased with himself. He had managed to grab something useful before Nathaniel barged into the kitchen.

“Oh, dear. I’m quite threatened!” Nathaniel said. “I would have hoped it was above you to commit such awful deeds as kill an innocent bystander, that was only hinting at your inability to produce food that was edible.”

“Oh? Was it above you, then?” Llew asked. Nathaniel frowned.

“You will not allow me to teach you how to recreate one of my favourite dishes?”

“No.”

“You ask me to leave? You even, dare I say it, threaten me with violence?”

“Yep.”

“Then I’m not the criminal here.” Nathaniel had declared, and pranced out of the room. Llew could have punched him. Even then, it hadn’t stopped Nathaniel from complaining when the food was served though.

Llew didn’t know how long he could take it. It wasn’t fair. He sighed; he’d have to do it tomorrow anyway. He stretched and got up to drag himself to bed. It was only 11. But it’s not like he had anything else to do.

As Llew closed the window he could have sworn he saw something lurking outside his apartment. But then it was gone, and he shrugged it off.

“Getting paranoid because I work at a prison.” He laughed at himself.

AN: Is this dull? I hope it doesn't bore anyone.