"A month on the couch stops being misery, and becomes sloth," Ellen said to the slouched form on her living room sofa.

Richard gathered up the wrinkled comforter and held it to his chest in response to the dressing down. Several pillows spilled from the cushions to the floor, and a crumpled sheet lay bunched at the end of the couch. The television blared an inane cartoon that neither of the room's occupants held any interest in. He swiped at a mat of hair that fell in his eyes, and attempted to evade the angry woman's stare.

"Think you might actually leave the house today?" Ellen swooped down on the man that now lived on her couch and tore the blanket from his clutch.

Richard grunted in her direction and fixed his sight on the television without any desire to actually watch it.

"You got mail." Ellen wiggled an envelope in the air amused at his sudden attention. He jumped up and grabbed for the paper that Ellen held aloft just out of his grasp.

Richard pulled away, crossed his arms, and attempted to appear disinterested. He looked sideways at his nemesis to see if his charade was working. He just needed her to drop her guard for a moment and let the envelope fall within his reach. He could smell the faint hint of perfume on the letter. It was immediately recognizable. On purpose, he hoped.