Alys: Tyra, I have some good news for you.
Tyra: Good news is always good.
A: Unless it’s bad news.
T: And bad news is always bad.
A: You are looking at things in terms of black and white.
T: This is because it’s getting dark out.
A: Yes, but the days are getting longer.
T: And the nights are getting shorter.
A: It works this way, most of the time.
T: So, what’s the news?
A: I was just printing up the January liberty trophy course and I noticed that you were the 2020 Reserve World Champion.
T: Really?

A: Really. You mean you hadn’t heard.
T: Such things are not that much of interest to my informants.
A: No, probably not.
T: So, what does this mean?
A: Well, if you want to go to law school, you need to have some accomplishments.
T: This counts as an accomplishment?
A: It would be far better if we could say that you have tutoring experience, but this will suffice.
T: Are you going to take a photo of me with my ribbon and put it in my application?
A: This is what I’m thinking.
T: So, this is going to better my chances of getting into law school?
A: Yes, but first, of course, you need to get your undergraduate degree. I’ve been thinking that you might start by taking some courses at Mat-Su College.
T: Boring. I want to study law.
A: You are going to have to do as others do, and work from the bottom up.
T: Bottom down, I saw.
A: Bottoms up, Tyra.
T: Eh, I’ll show ‘em.
A: I’m sure you will. In the meantime, we should continue with agility.
T: It’s a bit dark to practice now.
A: Yes, but we can give it a go.
T: Off lead?
A: Off lead.
T: Let’s go.
A: There are so many distractions.
T: Yes, many distractions.
A: But there is nothing in this course that you haven’t encountered before.
T: And I get treats?
A: Yes, you will continue to get treats.
T: What level are we at?
A: We were at the top level, Two Star Walking, before I decided that we should do liberty work. I have decided to start us out at Bronze level. This the second level.
T: Why the second level?
A: Well, because the weather’s been bad, we haven’t done much practicing.
T: Can we make up for this?
A: No.
T: Hmm. Are Raudi and Hrimmi also going to compete at the second level?
A: Yes. Raudi may go up a notch.
T: To the third level?
A: It’s possible.
T: But I am the reserve world champion.
A: You and Raudi are like apples and oranges. I am looking not at levels but at the various course designs in terms of how you both might shine.
T: Brush me, and I will shine.
A: True, true.
T: And what about Hrimmi?
A: I don’t know yet.
T: Answers, answers, I want answers.
A: Give me a few days, by then I’ll have it all figured out.
T: I will trust your judgement.
A: This has worked before and it will work again.

Next: 18. 1/18/21: Climate Change Now a Given