February 07, 2011

Wherein My Children Argue Like They're On the Internet

INT. FAMILY HOME - DAY

Sunshine streams through a large bay window on a casual living space in a family's home. The room is comfortable and warm; toys are scattered across a large open play space on the floor. A two-year old GIRL sits eating a snack of yogurt at a dining table, her back to a five-year old BOY playing with Legos or similar building toy on the floor ten feet away. He is turned sideways to the girl, not looking at her. The scene is calm. Both children are happily focused on what is in front of them.

Throughout the scene the children neither look nor move toward one another.

BOY
Look at what I made! I spent a long time working on this, so don't touch it.

GIRL
I have yogurt!

BOY
You're not looking. Are you looking? Don't break it. I spent a long time on this.

GIRL
(not looking, her back still toward BOY)
I see it, brother. I touch it.

BOY
No! Don't touch it! I'm hitting you.

The children are still ten feet apart, where they began the scene, focused on the snack or toy in front of them while talking to one another. They do not look at each other even as their voices rise. GIRL continues eating, BOY continues playing.

GIRL
No!

BOY
I'm hitting you!

GIRL
Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me, brother!

BOY
(not even miming the action)
I hit you! I hit you!

GIRL
(screaming)
Noooooo! Mommy! Mommmmmmyyyyy!

BOY
I didn't do anything.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

6 comments:

Courtney said...

This gave me laugh!! Thanks for writing this; I think it's a funny situation and good writing all at once!

Jess said...

Hahaha, classic.

Anonymous said...

very funny!

Anonymous said...

Haha, I could totally picture that.

cynthia said...

dang, that sounds just like my house these days. awesome scene.

Kohana said...

Once my children came to tears, riding in their car seats, fighting over imaginary cookies. "She won't share!" "He took mine!" I almost lost my mind that car ride. What do you say to them when they're like that???

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