Living with Bob and "Al"

It rained, or threaten to rain, most of the day yesterday. So Sheri in desperation for something for Bob and "Al" to do, had Bob cut up some vegetables for her which he has always been able to do. Sheri left him with the celery for a few minutes on his own, while she was in the bedroom. When she came back "Al" had lost his way with the celery. He had taken a red marker and drawn a circle on the paper plate. When Sheri asked him how it was going "Al" was deep in thought shaking his head and then he mumbled " this is not going well, I am trying to get them to stay on the line, I need some pins or something."
Subtle changes.