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　　David calls his sister Laura with some big news.

　　David: I’ve thought long and hard and my mind is made up. I’ve got a date with Jorene tomorrow and I’m going to pop the question.

　　Laura: Congratulations! That’s earth-shattering1 news! How are you going to go about it? You can’t just blurt it out over coffee.

　　David: Well, that’s the thing. I’m stumped.2 I could send her an e-card at work.

　　Laura: E-mail? You haven’t got a romantic bone in your body. Use your imagination.

　　David: Well, I’m no Don Juan. Should I get her some flowers?

　　Laura: That’s OK for starters. Why don’t you take her to some exotic hideaway3 and propose on a secluded beach?

　　David: I can’t afford it, what with the ring and all.

　　Laura: Don’t get discouraged. There’s plenty you can do.

　　David: Norman wrote his proposal to Anna in fluorescent paint on her ceiling.

　　Laura: Now you’re talking! Bake a cake and inscribe the words with icing.

　　David: I could sing her a song.

　　Laura: She’d never marry you then. You’re tone-deaf. You could put the ring in a box of Cracker Jack.

　　David: Too glib, and it’s been done. I think I’ll take her to the waterfall in the parkswhereswe met and give her the ring with some flowers.

　　Laura: That sounds lovely. You’ll be a shoo-in4 for sure.--by Randy Peters