My love for the television show The Big Bang Theory leads me to ponder my working conditions.

No, really. Go with me here.

I squee with delight at the prospect of a new Big Bang Theory episode. That Sheldon! That Leonard! And last night was the season finale in which we learn for sure that dream girl Penny does indeed carry a torch for our dear Leonard, something sure to please the entire audience.

(It will also provide the needed signal for when the show jumps the shark because, as we all know, when the two star-crossed lovers finally get together all entertainment hopes are lost. Even Shakespeare had the good sense to simply kill Romeo and Juliet rather than deal with it.)

This is exactly the sort of thing that could be discussed around the proverbial water cooler. Except, of course, that I'm self-employed, work from home and have no colleagues. And while I never have to worry about someone else not flushing the communal toilet, it's lonely over here sometimes.

Also there's zero chance of anyone unexpectedly bringing doughnuts to the office. I love doughnuts, and it's a well-known fact that doughnuts provided by a co-worker contain no calories.

It's also true that L.A. in particular has a very large, very lively, very successful community of mystery writers. We all know one another. We know one another because every time there's some party or association meeting or anything else remotely related to what we do, we all show up. Early. Why? Because we are all so fucking lonely.

This job is hard and isolating, and then when it's over, you get shoved out the door to go on a book tour. And there you are blinking into the sunlight you haven't seen in six months like some sort of mole person, and you're expected to have witty repartee with strangers. Are you kidding? You'll be lucky not to have an author drool and throw poop.

So here's my proposal. Let's all pitch in and rent an office together. Or an apartment. Or some warehouse space. It doesn't matter. Just as long as it has running water and climate control. We could get a storage unit with one of those rolling garage doors for all I care. Everyone brings their own desk and ta da! I have a whole group of colleagues with whom I can discuss the season finale of The Big Bang Theory.

I honestly believe this is genius.