Setting: Dentist’s office
When the scene opens Ma is sitting on a brown leather couch cleaning out her purse.
Door between waiting area and back offices opens.
Dental Hygienist: Miss Ma?
Ma: I have a confession to make.
Dental Hygienist: Oh?
Ma: I never floss.
Dental Hygienist: You never floss?
Ma: Never.
Dental Hygienist: Well. Have you flossed at all in the past six months?
Ma: A few times.
Dental Hygienist: That’s a good start. Do you think you could floss once a week?
Ma: Oh, I definitely floss once a week.
Dental Hygienist: That’s not never! Do you floss twice a week?
Ma: Yup!
Dental Hygienist: Hm. How many times would you estimate that you floss each week?
Ma: I’d say I floss at least five times every week.
Dental Hygienist: Five times a week! That’s great! That’s not even close to never!
By employing these skills of stealth, both Ma and the dental hygienist are happy, and Ma doesn’t get a scolding for only flossing five times a week.
Is Ma a genius? Yes, I think she is.