The O.C.2003

Alex:
You know, you don't have to hang around here all day helping me.

Marissa:
Please, any excuse to avoid my house. My mom has been home for three hours and already I'm going insane.

Alex:
My mom used to drive me crazy too with her egotistical and narcissistic attitude. Then one day, I decided I wasn't going to let it bother me any more.

Marissa:
You make it sound so easy.

Alex:
No, it's like this. Every time my mom would channel Satan, I would take a deep breath, count to three, give her a big smile, and say something like, "Interesting idea, Mom. I'll give that some thought." It shuts her right up.

Marissa:
That really works?

Alex:
Absolutely. Women like that... they thrive on confrontation. But if you refuse to engage, then there's really not anything they can do which makes them go even more out of their heads.

Marissa:
Sounds like a fun way to spend an evening. But you know, anyone who can make my mom even more crazy gets a free dinner. What do you say?

Alex:
Okay, but not tomorrow night. I don't do Valentine's Day first dates. I think it's a jinx.

Marissa:
That's okay.

Alex:
But next week, when we don't have Hallmark breathing down our necks, we'll go on a date. Cool?

Marissa:
Cool.