Tonight, I'd prove that I was destined to be a legendary actress. My usual ritual would assure my success. After cleansing myself with soap, water, incense and prayer, I descended to the kitchen for the final phase: consuming a bowl of cereal with a knife and fork.

I greeted my father cheerfully as I entered then regarded him with a murderous gaze when I realized he'd gobbled the last of my cereal. The traitor wiped milk from his mouth and grabbed his car keys. He'd return with a new box or I'd cut him open and retrieve what he'd stolen.