Indeed as the novel opens , Smith is trying to learn some Japanese from a language tape .
Smith 's daughter Smith him to put a Mr Potato Head back together , and meanwhile Smith he is watching ( not listening to ) a Lakers game on TV .
Indeed as the novel opens , Smith is trying to learn some Japanese from a language tape , but his daughter wants him to put a Mr Potato Head back together , and meanwhile still he is watching ( not listening to ) a Lakers game on TV .