Ralph stared at the television, the news running through his ears and into his brain like monkeys escaped from a zoo. Screeching. Picking. Swinging on nerves that set off synapses sparks and short circuiting rational thought.

"Look, look at this, Alice. Come here."

He sat down at the edge of his chair, elbows on knees.

"Look at these pompous pricks in their sharkskin gray suits and striped ties."

He leaned back, spread his big hands out on the wide worn arms of the chair.

"Pompous pricks. Hmmph!"