by Lindsay Griffiths
BERNARD is sitting on the stoop out front of a house, thinking. His younger brother, HUGHIE, enters from the front door and sits next to him.
HUGHIE
What’s that in your hand?
BERNARD
I dunno.
HUGHIE
Where’dya get it?
BERNARD
I found it…in the backyard under mommy’s window.
HUGHIE
Oooh. Why’re you keepin’ it?
BERNARD
Why do you ask so many questions?
HUGHIE
Why’re you so mean t’me all the time?
BERNARD
(he sighs) Sorry, Hughie. I’m keeping it cuz…Mommy always has ‘em and tries to hide em from us. Then she acts all weird and funny. You never seen?
HUGHIE
No… (he pauses) Looks like a tic tac.
BERNARD
No, stupid, tic tacs are smaller.
HUGHIE
I’m just sayin’! Whatchya gonna do with it?
BERNARD
Why do kids ask so many questions?!
HUGHIE
You’re a kid too!
BERNARD
Yeah, but I’m ten. You’re like six. That’s a baby.
(Emily walks by quickly)
HUGHIE
Hey Emmy!
EMILY
Hey guys! (She stops)
HUGHIE
(to Bernard) She’s six an’a half. Y’think she’s a baby too?
BERNARD
Yep. (to Emily) You walk fast!
EMILY
I din’t eat nuffin since yesterday. I’m tryna get home t’eat!
HUGHIE
Oh. You see what Bernie found?
BERNARD
Hughie…
EMILY
No, lemme see! (BERNARD hands it over reluctantly) Looks like a tic tac!
HUGHIE
Nope. Bernie says it’s too big for that!
EMILY
Whatchyu gonna do with it?
BERNARD
I dunno.
EMILY
Dare me t’eat it?
HUGHIE
Eeeeww no! He found it on the ground!
EMILY
Soo? If ya dare me, I’ll do it!
HUGHIE
I don’t dare you nothin. It’s dirty!
(Emily swallows it) Eeww!! Is it minty?
EMILY
No, it tasteses nasty!
HUGHIE
Told you it was dirty!
EMILY
You’re dirty!
HUGHIE
Why is everyone so mean t’meee??
BERNARD
(to Emily) Do you feel weird and funny?
EMILY
No. Justa lil hot cuz I been runnin’ so I- (she collapses abruptly, unconscious)
