“Think nothing of it, Fred. Your car in the shop?”

“Yeah. My teenager drove all the way home from the Vans Warped Tour 2000 with the oil light on.”

“Ouch.”

“That’s what my son said when I told him that he could pay for the new engine.”

“That’s tough.”

“I know, but how else are you going to teach him responsibility?”

“Kids today. Sheesh. By the way, how was the poker game last night?”

“Won a $500 pot.”

“I’ll bet your wife was happy when you came home with all that loot.”

“I didn’t tell her. She’d want me to put it in the bank, but I thought I’d sneak off and see Ultraspank and Unified Theory with the secretary.”

“You and her still… well, you know.”

“At times. I’m also seeing that new lady in accounting. We’re going to Montgomery Gentry next week. I’ll just tell the wife I’m working late.”

“That’s got to be some juggling act.”

“You said it. Between the two girl friends, the wife, plus the tax audit, I’ve been pretty busy.”

“Audit? What tax audit?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? The IRS is auditing all my concert business expenses.”

“You write off concerts?”

“Sure. This year alone I must have saved over $1000 by writing off Ozzfest 2000, Furthur Festival and B.B. King Blues Festival 2000.”

“I don’t know how you do it, Fred. Well, here we are. Would you like a ride home tonight?

“Please. And would you mind making a stop on the way home? I promised my youngest one that I’d buy her the new Harry Potter book.”

“My kids love those books too.”

“I thought I’d tell her that the store was sold out and use the cash for a pair of D.R.I. tickets instead.”

“You know what, Fred? You really are a piece of work. When will you have your car back?”

“As soon as my oldest comes up with the two grand for the new engine.”

“You’re really going to hold him to that, aren’t you?”

“Of course. It’s the only way he’ll learn responsibility.