"I'm not progressing as quickly as I'd like," Neal said. "I was hoping for overnight inspiration, but alas." He stifled a laugh, because it was all so absurd, but it felt good to not need to be serious, to not worry what skeleton in the closet was waiting to pop out next. "Although I am trying to teach myself to draw with my left foot. Just for good measure."

He might have spent some time legitimately practicing this skill, just for fun. He was actually getting to be quite talented at it, not that it was a life skill that would actually get him anywhere.