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Everyone thought Jim was a little strange but no one ever would’ve guessed he was an alien. Jim had been sent to earth as a researcher; his job was to investigate the planet’s inhabitants and report back to his home quadrant. He didn’t really have much interest in Earth but, like everyone on his home planet, he had to work. Jim found the research frustrating. The inhabitants were simply irrational. Last night was the final straw; Jim was quitting his job. He’d planned a date with his long-term girlfriend Sally. They enjoyed a lovely meal and once the cheque was offered Jim thought he would be able to move on with the rest of his life. But Sally was not yet ready to leave; she had a lot on her mind and needed someone to talk to. She began her account and Jim drifted off into thoughts that weren’t related to work.
“Are you listening to me?” asked Sally, forcing Jim back to the reality of his situation.
“Sorry,” he replied.
“You’re not even listening to me,” shouted Sally. “I can’t believe you.”
“I would’ve been if you were saying something interesting,” Jim offered. “I just don’t really care about what you’re saying.”
“You are a horrible human being Jim. I never want to see you again,” Sally said, before storming out of the restaurant.
Jim just didn’t understand. Why was he in trouble for Sally’s boring accounts? It wasn’t his fault.
“Are you listening to me?” asked Sally, forcing Jim back to the reality of his situation.
“Sorry,” he replied.
“You’re not even listening to me,” shouted Sally. “I can’t believe you.”
“I would’ve been if you were saying something interesting,” Jim offered. “I just don’t really care about what you’re saying.”
“You are a horrible human being Jim. I never want to see you again,” Sally said, before storming out of the restaurant.
Jim just didn’t understand. Why was he in trouble for Sally’s boring accounts? It wasn’t his fault.