Page 46 of One Adult, Please

"Gate things," Joel says.

"You know what I mean."

"I always know what you mean."

Find animal doctor.

This one I write slower. Joel mentioned the wildlife rescue center in Wonder Garden.

"You think someone's alive in there?" Beck asks.

"The rescue center is reinforced," Joel says. "Climate-controlled enclosures, steel-frame construction, medical-grade sanitation systems. If someone sealed themselves in with the animals, they'd have food, water, and containment."

I write the number 3 with a little star next to it because finding a person who's alive matters more than most things on this list and stars are how I indicate priority.

Churros (if available).

"Grace," Joel says.

"It's a morale item. Morale items go on the plan. The crayon plan accounts for the whole human experience. Food, safety, emotional well-being. Churros cover at least two of those."

"Which two?"

"All three, actually. Churros are food. Churros make you feel safe. Churros are emotional well-being in fried dough form. Churros are the full package."

I keep writing.

Name the sharks.

"Lenny already has a name," Joel says.

"Who's Lenny?"

"The sea turtle."

"Lenny can't be the only named fish in the building. Lenny needs peers. Lenny needs community."

"Lenny's a turtle, not a fish."

I stare at him. I leave name sharks on the list.

Cape protocol (pending).

"What's cape protocol?" Beck asks.

"I found a cape. Joel made me take it off. Cape protocol is the formal process by which we determine when capes are tactically appropriate."

"Capes are never tactically appropriate," Joel says.

"That's your opinion and it will be heard during the cape protocol hearings."

Secure dessert armory. Expand to other desserts.

Beck teaches Joel to have fun. (Mandatory.)

"I have fun," Joel says.

"Joel, I've known you for two days and the most fun you've had was checking a pump gauge."