as always, dealing graciously with a compliment

After dinner last night, walking with mom on Orchard, shopkeeper jumps out of his shop:

SHOPKEEPER: Ethan, I thought that was you! I just wanted to thank you so much for the review last week.

ETHAN: Oh, of course, my pleasure. See, mom, he liked the review. She hated it.

SHOPKEEPER: Oh yes, I showed it to my sister, my mom, they were so proud!

ETHAN: See that, mom, he has a supportive family.

MOM to SHOPKEEPER: When you were a child, did your mother let you win at Candyland?

SHOPKEEPER: Well, my mother wasn’t really into games. But if we’d played them, yes, she would have let us win.

ETHAN: See. That’s why he’s well-adjusted.

Now I can see the regret freezing on the shopkeeper’s face, regret that he’s come out onto the street to give a personal and thoughtful thank-you, only to be sucked in to some ancient family conversation that exists only to make others feel awkward and uncomfortable.