"Texting with... Stella" pt. 2

You: At the risk of overstepping boundaries, have you considered maybe… Idk, being a bit nicer?

Stella: Come again?

You:  Okay, maybe I could’ve phrased that better.

You:  What I mean is, I get the whole ‘spare the rod’ mentality, but perhaps that’s just making the problem worse. They’re not gonna warm up to you when there’s literally no reason to.

You:  Why not try the carrot and stick approach? Reward them for obedience, not just punish disobedience. Maybe that’ll work instead of, ya know, defaulting to the stick?

Stella: And you believe that will work?

You:  It might. There’s no perfect method to this, but you can’t do the same thing over and over and hope for a different outcome. I’m pretty sure someone said that’s the definition of insanity.

There’s a pause for about a minute.

Stella: I will admit, that seems like a rather unorthodox approach. But there’s some merit in listening to outside opinions. Everyone had a blind spot. The intelligent just know where it is.

Stella: I’ll take your suggestion under… consideration.

Stella: Perhaps my pet will take more kindly to the proverbial carrot.

You: Imsorryyourwhat?

Stella: My pet. She’s such a cute thing. You may see her perhaps. Here is hoping your suggestion will finally make her housebroken.

You:  Is this like your other ‘pets’?

Stella: Of course. Aren’t I a generous soul for taking in strays?

You:  Out of curiosity, how many ‘strays’ have you taken in?

Stella: I’ll need to take stock again, but I’m pretty sure 8.

You:  Impressive.

You:  I think.

Stella: Returning to our original topic, I expect you on schedule.

You:  I will. You have my word.

Stella: I should stress, while I may be keen on punishing those who disappoint me, I’m just as thorough in rewarding those who impress me.

You:  What does that mean exactly?

Stella: Keep being a good boy and maybe you’ll find out.

Stella: But I’ve a meeting to attend. Adieu, driver.

You:  Yeah. Goodbye.