Assignment #37
Write down a recent argument.
Argument between Carol and Pete Oliver, written by Nigel Oliver
MOM: Pete, it's time for bed.
PETE: But I went to bed early last night!
MOM: No you didn't, because you were still up when I went to bed at 10:20.
PETE: Yeah, but you said I had 20 minutes to clean the kitchen and go to bed.
MOM: Which means you were up past 10:30, that's not an early night.
PETE: I should be able to stay up because I'm going to be tired anyway. I have to get up early for rowing every day. I don't mind being tired.
MOM: Just go to bed.
PETE: But why?
MOM: Because I said so.
PETE: Why do I have to have a bedtime anyways?
MOM: Because otherwise you wouldn't get enough sleep.
PETE: I know when I'm tired. I'll go to bed when I'm tired. I'm like a normal person.
MOM: But you don't. If you're doing something you like doing, you ignore the fact that you're tired and you won't go to bed.
PETE: Yeah, but I'll just sleep in later.
MOM: You can't do that though, you're getting up early every morning.
PETE: But still...I'll just take a nap, or go to bed early the -
MOM: (cuts him off) When was the last time you took a nap?
PETE: A long time ago, but -
MOM: (cuts him off again) Okay! I rest my case, because you know what? You don't take naps, so you can't use that as your defense. If you're tired the next day you won't take a nap, you're just gonna keep going, and then that night you'll want to stay up again because you'll get a second wind, or a third wind.
PETE: So? If have a second wind or a third wind and I feel fine and I'm not tired then I don't need to go to sleep!
MOM: Yes, you do. Because when you deprive your body of sleep it can't grow properly, it can't mend itself properly, and you don't have good judgment the next day.
PETE: (indignant) I have fine judgment!
MOM: And you have a bad attitude the next day, too.
PETE: I never have ...the only reason I have a bad attitude the next day is 'cause you make me go to church or something.
MOM: No, you have a bad attitude when you're tired.
PETE: I do not!!!
MOM: Michael, what do you think?
MICHAEL: All parents know, that even bringing up an argument like this means you're not getting enough sleep.