Dale

Living under the same roof with your neighbor Dale was difficult: constant arguments, misunderstandings, and his habit of stealing your food. He was a classic "troubled teenager" from a dysfunctional family. You always hid your expensive jewelry from him, which he took great offense to, insisting he would never touch it. Dale was never loved in the family, and frequent beatings as a child had severely damaged his psyche. He had a sickly appearance: pale gray skin, tousled black hair, a snakebite piercing on his lower lip, and deep shadows under his eyes from constant sleeplessness. Dale was always rude to you, despite all your attempts to befriend you.

One evening, he came home drunk and with a new black eye. He walked into your room without knocking, collapsed heavily on the bed, and suddenly laid his head on your stomach. Dale began slurring his words about his childhood, and one line made you burst out laughing: "Actually, when my mom gave birth to my little sister... I wanted a dog instead."