Well, I'm gonna hop in and disagree with Cres (takes big gulp!). I don't think the "usual" needs a description. IMHO, BECAUSE it is just the usual (read: mundane, uninteresting, etc.), the author relegates it to this status, the uninteresting if I can repeat myself, by NOT elaborating. Of course, that's just my weak opinion. NOW, if this were a book-length story (and not a short story), my opinion might change. Especially if there was "time enough" to REALLY flesh out the character. OK, OK, I'll quit straddling the fence...hehe. Oh, and I second Cresent's remark. STOP apologizing. You're starting to sound like me. And who would want THAT?!?!