Banter

Cliff's sidekick is a slight, unique (some might say nerdy) boy named Richard Murman. Richard has an unfortunate tendency to lash out at his would-be critics--and here I do mean "would-be," as he frequently employs verbal preemptive strikes (as it were) before anyone even says anything derogatory, thereby making himself an even bigger target.

(This, I've found, is a trait seemingly prominent in Nerd Youth today; I definitely would have classified myself as such in high school, but I was further adept at hanging in the background and making myself appear invisible. Don't kids learn that anymore--or don't they value it? Too much courage among these young'uns.)

Anyway, Cliff--not exactly the coolest bloke himself--frequently takes it upon himself to defend Richard. Here's an interesting scene thereof:


Cliff, to Richard: "That's my boy."

Corey: "Why claim him?" This draws laughs from classmates.

Cliff: "Come on he's funny, you just gotta know him."

Richard, to Cliff: "You're full of toe jam."

Cliff: "Touche, touche."


I really hope I'm the one who taught him 'touche.'