[The scene: a suburban home situated somewhere in the (US) Eastern time zone. It is a mild, sunny Sunday afternoon in mid-March, and He and She are seated at their respective computers on opposite sides of a low wall, enjoying the sunshine when they remember to look out a window.]

She: [From her side of wall.] John?

He: Hmm?

She: What do you think about dinner tonight? Feel like grilling something?

He: Hmm? Oh, sure, yeah. What you have in mind?

She: I don’t know. Let me think about it.

He: Okay, let me know. I’ve gotta return the movies and pick up some other groceries, so I can grab something to grill, too.

[Time passes.]

She: What time is it?

[He consults his watch.]

He: A little before 2.

She: But… Oh, that’s right — I must’ve never adjusted this clock over here the last time we changed. Did you remember to change your alarm clock last night?

He: Yeah.

She: Good.

[Time passes. At various times, one or the other of them goes downstairs, heats up water for another cup of coffee or tea, messes with dog for a few minutes, and returns to his or her computer. Silence for a while, and then…:]

She: Omigod, look at the time! Weren’t you going to go to the store?

He: C’mon for crissake, will you relax, it’s only quarter to five!

She: Then how come my computer’s time says quarter to six?!?

He: [Frowning and rolling eyes, safely on his side of the wall.] Oh, for… don’t you see? It’s stupid damn Windows! If you’d let me switch you to Linux like I—

[Momentary silence.]

She: Well, what?

He: Crap crap crap. My computer’s clock says quarter to six, too.

She: But I thought you said—

He: Yeah, I set the alarm right. But I never adjusted my damn watch.

[Muffled explosions of breath from far side of wall.]

She: So now it’s too late to grill, isn’t it?

He: Uh, yeah, I guess so. Yeah… sorry.

She: So what are we gonna do about dinner?

He: I don’t know. Let me think about it.