QUOTE : you got me a little dog,” I say. “It’s a puppy,” Rhone says again. His voice is lost amongst the others in the room who are all shouting out names. The puppy starts barking. “I am going to train you and you are going to be even better than Leo,” I say to the puppy as she tilts her head to the side. “Of course she’ll be better than Leo, females are much smarter than males,” Jacquiline says, matter of fact. The other women in the room shout their agreement. “Olina’s a female, and she’s talking to a dog,” Sanjay says in response, pointing a finger at me. “It’s a puppy, Sanjay,” I say, not taking my eyes off the squirming animal. “I told you they’re stupid,” Jacquiline says to me in a loud confiding whisper.