"Maggie's Farm"

Scene: G train. This morning's commute to the 9-year-old's writing class.

Kid: Who do you think's the worst person in the song? I think the dad. He puts out his cigar in your face. And you try to escape through his window, but it's made out of bricks.

Dad: I always thought the mom. Pa's the muscle, but Ma's the brains of the operation. Plus she's sanctimonious -- all that "man and God and law" talk.

Kid: The brother at least hands you money.

Dad: Yeah, but that's just to lure you in. He's a functionary for the farm. Every evil system needs functionaries.

Pause.

Kid: I know who's the worst.

Dad: Who?

Kid: Maggie.

Dad: But we never hear about Maggie. She's the hole in the song's donut. Why is she the worst?

Kid: It's her farm.