...taking him/her away on a long romantic (budget) week-end. School/college is back. There are some good deals available. Put your awesome creativity into the budget bit. Book it.
0: chance the speaking clock will be 'in the right place' when you ring.
1: clear decision is needed this Saturday. Take it. No TAKE IT! Now: don't you feel better?
2: eyes for amazing depth of perception. Read this cool book.
3: wise men. For a very good reason. One gets biased/polarised. Two gossip. Four or more's a crowd. Three's perfect.
4: valency of Carbon, essential to Life.
5: amazing starfish.
6: throw the dice parenting. 1=to the museum; 2=bake bread; 3=football in the park; 4=gardening; 5=Lego; 6=camping in the garden.
7: days a week. Live them long, wide and deep.
You know that blob which formed in the test-tube, Henry? It's entirely malleable and easy to mould. Incredibly light. Should be pretty cheap to make, too. And early tests suggest it doesn't dissolve, nor degrade in sun. It can't be burnt nor pulverised. It'll be around for ever! Our legacy! Pure genius.
Now remember this is just a quick scam: in and out. So anything will do: lots of water. Sugar. Some old vegetable matter. Bit of cocaine. Mix it all up. If we can get away with this we'll have people believing in a red-suited Father Christmas.
Sir, we and the kitchens have done our very best to accommodate to your request: thin slices of meat placed between thin slices of bread. The chef says he's concerned it's neither attractive nor particularly tasty; he could find no place to put the gravy.
Anyhow, hope you play well, Sir.
Hadrian's Wall. A chilly January morning as the sun comes up.
'So, remind me Marcus. We bring the Brits wine, central heating, straight roads, a cool alphabet, strategic thinking, pannini and gorgeous girls. And we get?'