(Tony's)
"There once was a time I was sure we would always be together, but I don't know anymore." Marvin was caught completely off guard. His head started throbbing again, it could have been from the drinks last night, but this wasn't helping the situation.
"Miranda what are you talking about, we've been living together in the same apartment for 10 months now." It is a fact that both Marvin and Miranda were happy twenty-something's that shared a comfortable apartment in the city for the last ten months. It is also a fact that they have been engaged for the last three of those ten months. It was thought to be a fact, at least for Marvin, that a spring wedding was in the plans, but it seems this would have to be put on hold.
"It's just that you have changed so much. You're so concerned about your job now, it never seems like you want to have fun anymore. But it's not just that, you've grown inconsiderate of people. You don't greet the doorman, you don't wave or smile to our neighbors down the hall; why, just last Saturday when we were heading home, you walked by the Salvation Army Santa without giving a passing glance, let alone a donation." Marvin never knew Miranda had such a philanthropic heart, she never seemed to care about niceties in the past. He reasoned this must be one of those phases that she went through like the bonsai gardening or her obsession with clowns. All that was left of these fickle pursuits were some poorly cared for shrubs along the windowsill and juggling pins in their bedroom closet. He knew that the only way to survive these bizarre mood swings was to smile and play along until the novelty of the pursuit wore off. This time, however, would prove a little harder, for Miranda had managed to turn a critical eye onto Marvin, and he would now be forced to change his habits. "Oh well, at least," he thought, she didn't want him to learn how to juggle.
"Fine, I promise I will be more kind and considerate. Santa will get his donation, and the doorman a five dollar bill."
(two days later)
A new family moved into the empty apartment down the hall yesterday. The moment Marvin found out, he was in the kitchen baking a cake, or rather his poor imagination of one. While his efforts were admirable, the product was less than pleasing; nevertheless, Marvin wanted to make a good impression for the neighbors and more so, for Miranda, so he knocked gently on the door with his version of chocolate cake in tow. The wife opened the door and cheerfully introduced herself, before two words could be exchanged she had called forth the entire family and Marvin met the husband and their five-year old son. All three had the same shade of light blonde hair and he gathered during the short-discussion that they were probably foreigners from Europe. The neighbors graciously accepted the cake and actually seemed rather embarrassed that they had not dropped by first. They insisted on having Marvin and Miranda over for dinner that night. This was perfect for Marvin as it gave him an excuse to casually mention his good deed of the day.
Having earned his brownie points, Marvin was wonderful company during dinner. Even Miranda seemed to be in a good mood, though this was probably because the neighbors were such wonderful cooks and had prepared an amazing feast. It was frustrating for Marvin that neighbors didn't seem to accept his praise for their exquisite dinner, because it seemed all they could talk about was how amazingly delicious his chocolate cake had been. The entire situation was frankly awkward for Marvin. Their new neighbors seemed entirely too polite and kept apologizing for all the effort they must have put him through to make the cake. Even their blonde-haired son seemed content and happy to sit quietly at the table and eat his food, looking up occasionally only to give an adorable grin.
The moment they returned to their room, Miranda remarked on what wonderful new neighbors they had.
"And that kid of theirs was absolutely precious."
Marvin couldn't agree more and suggested that they send flowers as a thank-you gift for the lovely dinner. Miranda was definitely impressed.
"What the hell is this?"
The next afternoon Marvin found in front of their door a large framed oil-painting and a note from the neighbors thanking them for the flowers.
"Miranda come over here, it's from our neighbors."
As Miranda made her way from the kitchen, Marvin couldn't help but wonder how much money the painting had cost. He guessed it was probably worth a few hundred. It was a very handsome piece and he already knew exactly where he wanted to hang it.
"It's a still-life of flowers in a vase," Miranda noted, "quite apt, but we can't accept it."
"Why not?"
"It's too expensive, it wouldn't be right"
"But how would it look if we turned away their gift, I wouldn't want to risk offending them. Besides, didn't you say that I should be more considerate." Miranda felt trapped by her own words as she realized Marvin was right.
"Fine, keep it. But you have to send something in return"
That night, Marvin went out and bought two bicycles and a red tricycle at the local sporting goods store. He presented them to the neighbors the next day who received the gifts with such extraordinary surprise you would have thought they won the lottery. They couldn't stop talking about what wonderful gifts Marvin had sent and wondered out loud how unworthy they were of his delightful friendship.
"No, I assure you the bicycles were nothing, think nothing of it." "No, you don't have to get anything in return, believe me." "No, No please, just take the bicycles as a thank-you for being such great neighbors, we don't want anything in return."
The next morning, Marvin awoke to find in his bedroom a large red bow affixed to new model motorcycle. By this time Marvin was almost in tears. While Miranda was still scratching her head in awe at how a motorcycle had found its way into their apartment, Marvin had already trudged half-way down to the local jewelry store and pulled out last years savings to purchase a diamond necklace.
"If this doesn't do it, nothing will. No one can ever accuse me of not being polite and considerate." But of course it didn't do it. The neighbors happily reciprocated with a diamond ring easily ten times the value of the necklace received and attached another cheerful note of thanks.
Marvin couldn't stand it anymore. If this was what it took to stay with Miranda then he was better off alone. In a fit of rage he tore-up the oil-painting, ripped apart the motorcycle with welding tools and had the diamond ring ground into pieces. Going to the bank of the river, he took all the remains and tossed them in. Marvin watched as they scattered, unrecoverable.