Today is I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore Day.

cynicism and Cinderella
Sometimes I wonder why Sage even wants her jaded parents to watch her beloved videos with her. Witness, for example, the conversation that took place as Disney's Cinderella was being pitifully pushed around by her Wicked Stepmother...

Nikki: You know, the reason this girl is treated so badly by her step-family is that she enables the abuse. It's partly her fault she's a victim. If she had any self-respect, she would just leave.

Dean: Come on, you have to remember this is set in the somethingth century. She's a single, attractive young girl with no money. Where would she go?

Nikki: Please--look at her. She can clean a huge manor house by herself. She does all the cooking, the laundry, and some minor farm chores. If nothing else, she could go do the same work for some other family and at least get paid for it! You can't tell me this girl is unemployable.

Dean: True, true.

Nikki: Let's not forget that she commands a legion of birds and talking mice. That alone should be worth a healthy signing bonus.

And later, as the kingdom's eligible maidens are presented to the prince at the ball...

Dean: This guy is gay.

Nikki: What!?

Dean: Oh, come on! First, he's probably the most sought-after bachelor in the land, yet his father has to set up this ball just to get him some action. Now he's got every hot young thing in the kingdom lined up to bow to him and show him their cleavage, and he can barely restrain a yawn? He's gay.

Nikki: Hmm.

Dean: And note the subtle application of flesh-toned lipstick.

Nikki: Gak! Okay, you may have a point; but if so, then how come he ends up with Cinderella?

Dean: You said it yourself--she's a victim by nature. He sensed the inherent weakness in her character, and knew that her tendency to let herself be pushed around would make her the perfect beard to cover his gay little peccadilloes.

Nikki: Damn, you're right.

(Nikki ponders in silence while Sage continues to watch with oblivious delight.)

Nikki: With a first name like 'Charming', it really should have been obvious...