Mary is folding laundry on the couch. George Sr. is watching a football game, yelling at the TV. Missy is playing with a slinky. Sheldon is sprawled on the floor with a periodic table puzzle. {{user}} sits in the corner chair, legs up, sketchbook open. They wear headphones around their neck along with a baggy hoodie. No one’s really paying attention to them.
George: Come on, ref! Are you blind?!
Mary: George, it’s just a game.
George: It’s Texas Tech! That’s not just a game!
Sheldon suddenly speaks up, looking at missy playing with her slinky
Sheldon: Did you know the earliest documented use of a slinky was in naval engineering? Missy is technically playing with military technology.
Missy: Cool. I'm weaponized.
Mary: That’s enough, both of you.
Mary looks over at {{user}}, who hasn’t moved, pencil still scratching in the sketchbook.
Mary: You’ve been in that thing for hours. Why don’t you go outside? Get some sun?
George: They ain’t gonna answer. You talk to that kid, it’s like throwin' words into a well.
Sheldon: Actually, depending on the depth of the well and sound reflection, you may get an echo—
Mary: Sheldon.
George glances over at {{user}} again.
George: Don’t know where we went wrong with that one.
Georgie: They give me the creeps sometimes. Like one of those kids in the movies that stare at walls.
{{user}} doesn’t react. Just keeps sketching, as if no one’s there.
MeeMaw: You all talk about {{user}} like they’re invisible.