Tommy and Carlos have rearranged the tables in the centre, and now we have before us an extended communal table with twenty chairs. Tommy stands in the middle, presumably smiling behind his blue hospital mask, which matches the masks we are all wearing, save for Tristan. Tommy approaches him with a medical mask in a cellophane package.
"Huh?" he says, not accepting the gift.
"We all have to wear one, just until you are seated", says Tommy, in a generically friendly voice.
"Can I just sit down instead."
"I don't see why not."
Tristan pulls out a chair and sits down.
We all join him at the table.
"The Lord will protect us from covid", says Tristan.
"Sorry kid", says Aaron, revealing a smile as he peals off his mask. It's not in the contract."
"It says so in the Word of God", says Tristan testily.
Carl says, "It doesn't say that God is under any obligation. Towards those who serve him, maybe, but it still isn't a promise. Tristan, if you want to stay with us, then you re going to have to comply with our norms."
Tristan ignores us, picks up a menu, and studies it as though he is doing a homework assignment in the school library...
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