jackPOT!

i think rich is genuinely trying to push gus over the edge. most parents would probably think that their kids are trying to make them crazy, but in this case it is definitely rich that is tormenting gus. they have this "game"--and i use this word lightly--that they have been playing for the past month or so in which one tries to make the other say "jack." after one of them says "jack" the other gets to yell "POT" (i.e. "jackpot," in case you aren't following), which is the code around here that either i or rich get to brush gus' teeth and read him a book before he goes to bed. rich always wants jackpot, as do i, but over the past few days this game has taken a turn...basically, rich's competitiveness has made him insane. it started out easy, such as "what is the name of tracy and pete's oldest boy?" (jack, of course--gus has known him since he was 2) or "what's that tool called that breaks up concrete?" (jackhammer), etc. now rich is actually planning his attacks. for example:

(tuesday night) rich, to gus: "i bet you can't name all of your thomas trains anymore."
gus: "yes i can!"
rich (getting out a seemingly random pile of trains): "no, i don't think you can."
gus: "yes i can--see, that's diesel 10, that's emily, that's gordon, that's henry anniversary edition, that's culdee, that's fog car, that's jack..."
rich: "POT!"
and then rich laughs hysterically; gus seethes a tiny bit.

(wednesday night) rich: "gus, you need to practice reading."
gus: "dad, mother goose is for babies."
rich: "then you shouldn't have any problem reading it. read, umm, three stories. start here."
gus (after the first two stories): "jack be nim..."
rich: "POT!"
and then rich laughs hysterically; gus seethes a little more.

(last night) rich: "i bet you don't know all of your st. louis cousins."
gus: "yes i do."
rich: "okay, what are uncle dave and aunt teresa's kids names?"
gus: "sarah and emily."
rich: "okay, what are aunt sandy and uncle chris' kids names?"
gus: "drew, tim, matthew and jonathan."
rich: "i bet you don't know uncle tom and aunt debbie's kid?"
gus: "i haven't met him, but i think his name is jack--"
rich: "POT!"
and rich almost wets himself he is laughing so hard; gus is more figuratively pissed.

jackASS!