Cultural Differences

“How’s that job with the trees going?” Brandon asked, sipping his coffee.

“They prefer Arboreal-Americans,” Jennifer advised him. “And I think I’m making progress. Today, Rustles-After-Autumn told me he wanted me to work with him more closely.”

“’He?’”

“They’re adapting to the culture.”

“Well, what’d he say, exactly?”

“Er… something about keeping me as close as his shadow.”

“Oh.”

“What? Is that bad?”

“C’mon, Jen. How long have you worked with tre- with Arboreal-Americans?” Brandon rested his elbow on the table, casting a shadow across the plastic surface. “What happens to a sapling that stays in the larger tree’s shade?”