Messing with children’s minds for fun and profit
I’m sitting in a booth at the world’s busiest Chuck E Cheese; reminding myself that off-peak times are a much better time to bring the kids here. Mom and our eldest have finally gone to cash out his prize tickets so we can go home. Waiting next to me in the booth is our youngest, slurping down his brother’s soda.
Hey! I grab the soda from him and offer him his sippy cup of milk instead.
Leaving him to his milk, my mind wanders; I watch the TV hung high in the far corner. After a bit, something breaks my trance. I look down at the little one; he is again sucking down Sprite as fast as he can. I assume he’s trying to finish it off before I notice.
I take the Sprite and set it across the table out of his reach. I give him his milk.
He reaches for my Diet Coke. Caffeine, Nutrasweet, no way. I get it before he can. It joins the others across the table.
He contemplates the situation for a second, and then springs into action. I watch him slip under the table and head for the other side of the booth.
While he’s under there, I move the three sodas to my side of the table, and the milk takes their place. I recline with an amused smile.
He climbs up on the seat, ready, and anticipating free soda!
None are there.
Not saying a word, he gets this look on his face. A “hmmm, maybe it really was closer on the other side” look.
He climbs down.
I move the sodas and milk.
He returns to his spot next to me, ready for the free soda!
Milk.
Wordless.
With the same look he calculates his next move.
Down.
I swap the drinks.
Up on the other side. That same look, but with more determination. He climbs down.
I start laughing as I switch the beverages.
Up. Nope, not here. Down.
Up. Not on that side either.
I’m laughing so hard now my eyes are watering.
He continues moving back and forth beneath the table. My laughter impedes my ability to switch the drinks, and he almost catches me switching them.
In all he does this about ten times. Without a word, without a hint of frustration.
He finally wises up and goes over the table.