Cast: CHILD, TOY, and PARENT
Props: Newspaper, large knife, earplugs
CHILD and TOY enter stage left. PARENT is sitting reading the paper. CHILD and TOY appear to be playing a complicated game where CHILD does an action and TOY mimics it, then adds something new to it. Movements are broad, and TOY is obviously mechanical (slightly jerky movements).
PARENT: Time for bed. Put the toy away.
CHILD: Do I have to?
TOY looks crestfallen.
PARENT: Yes.
CHILD: (whiny tone) okay.
CHILD walks TOY over to stage left, turns TOY around, and pushes an invisible button on the back of TOY. CHILD then turns around and walks towards PARENT.
TOY reaches behind itself and pushes the button. TOY moves silently up behind CHILD.
PARENT looks up.
PARENT: I TOLD you to put your toy away! I don't want to be tripping over it in the middle of the night.
CHILD: I DID!
PARENT: Well, do it again.
CHILD attempts to put TOY away again. Same result. Repeat several times, with variations (TOY prancing, CHILD hiding under table, TOY making faces at PARENT, TOY attempting to put CHILD away, etc.). PARENT doesn't notice.
TOY makes "I've got a great idea for a game" movements. Walks CHILD stage left. Produces ear plugs, puts them in CHILD's ears. Turns CHILD away from parent, gets CHILD to sit down, still facing away. Puts CHILD's hands over her eyes, making "stay here" motions.
TOY produces knife from somewhere (pocket, under shirt, on table). Walks over to PARENT. Raises knife over PARENT.
Lights down.
(dark) CHILD: Daddy? (or Mommy, as appropriate)