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started.
    “How dare you!” Candy appeared in the doorway and Ian pried open an eye to catch her expression. There was more worry than anger there. He chuckled inwardly. “Larry drove all the way up here at my request to take you down and get you situated in the only job that is going to provide for your family for the foreseeable future.”
    Ian yawned.
    Candy turned and put a hand on Larry’s bicep. “I don’t know what is going on with him.”
    “It’s okay, don’t you worry your pretty little self,” he said and touched her face. “We’ll sit down on the couch and chat until he—”
    Ian took a deep breath. His hands trembled. He felt like he was floating just above the surface of the bed. This was a big decision. There would be no turning back from it. He had to burn this bridge down to the ground. He had to nuke it, otherwise the temptation would return. They would wear him down.
    Candy and Larry stood side by side at the entrance to the master bedroom, their expectant eyes on Ian.
    “I’m not taking the job, Larry. I wouldn’t work with you again, not for anything. You’re a liar, a slacker and an all-around bastard.”
    “He doesn’t mean it,” Candy said to Larry.
    “Oh, but I do. Furthermore, Larry, you are not welcome in my home anymore.”
    Candy’s mouth hung open. She was a deer in the headlights.
    “I will not tolerate you putting your fat fucking hands on my wife or my daughter anymore.”
    “How dare you!” Larry said in a low tone of voice. “After everything I have done for you…” He huffed and swung his head around like a hyperventilating owl.
    “You may now get out. As for you,” he said to Candy, “and the kids, all of those spending cuts and other changes we discussed go into effect immediately. Hand over your credit cards and account logins.”
    “No!” Candy screamed. “You can’t do that!”
    Larry studied Ian with a sense of calm wonder, the edges of a smile pulling at his cheeks. He put his hand on Candy’s shoulder and massaged it. “Relax, girl. I know this guy. He pulls stuff like this. I remember back in college when he was hurting and I found the El job for him. Remember that, baby?”
    Candy’s face slackened with exhaustion. “I just can’t take this anymore. It’s not fair.”
    Ian closed his eyes. There was nothing to be gained from further interaction.
    “And he took it. He eventually took it, because he’s a smart man who provides for you and the kids. Isn’t that right?” Larry asked.
    She nodded and caught her breath. “He better do the right thing,” she said in Ian’s direction. “And he better do it right now.”
    “Or what?” Ian opened his eyes, a smile of amusement breaking onto his face.
    “Or you’re out of here. I don’t keep useless, lazy dogs around for my own entertainment.”
    Ian chuckled.
    Michael appeared behind his mother. “He wants to punish us, Mom. He’s disappointed with Stacy and me because we’re not scientists,” he said with air quotes, “like him. We’re lazy good-for-nothings, isn’t that right, Dad?” Michael stomped away and slammed the front door behind him.
    “Listen, guys,” said Larry, “this isn’t necessary. Ian is too old to start a new career. He hasn’t even looked at a robot in twenty years.” He laughed. “Come on, this guy is washed up.”
    Ian turned his head and glared at Larry.
    Larry held his hands out in front of him. “It’s true, buddy. What can I say? You’re old. You can’t get another job, not unless you want to fall overboard in the Bering Sea hunting for the last few crab. But you have a big family here to take care of. They love you. You can’t do anything else.”
    Jack came and sat on the bed next to Ian, a look of doubt and pity on his face.
    “Have you been listening to this?” Ian asked the boy.
    Jack nodded. He reached for his father’s hand.
    “Let’s face it, buddy, this is the end for you. Your last hope is to keep working with me. And,” Larry