The Negotiator

A new stage has arrived.

Negotiation, Manipulation, or Toddleration - you be the judge.

Scene 1: The Crib

Mommy places Max in the crib and covers him with one blanket.

Mommy: Night-night. I love you!

Enter: THE NEGOTIATOR

The Negotiator: Two blankets? Two? Two?

Mommy places another blanket over Max.

The Negotiator: Thwee? Thwee? (As he holds up five fingers)

Mommy: Two is enough. Night-night.

The Negotiator: Thwee! Thwee! (Continues to hold up five fingers) THWEE!!

Mommy adds another blanket for a total of three.

The Negotiator: Night-night.

Scene 2: The Pantry

Mommy hands Max a cracker.

Enter: THE NEGOTIATOR

The Negotiator: Two? Two?

Mommy gives Max another cracker.

The Negotiator: Five? Five?

Mommy: No, Max. How about an apple?

The Negotiator: No.

Mommy: Pears?

The Negotiator: No.

Mommy: Goldfish?

The Negotiator: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Two. Two.

Mommy: Ok, here's two.

The Negotiator: Five?

Scene 3: The Kitchen Table

Mommy tells Max to sit in his booster seat.

Enter: THE NEGOTIATOR

The Negotiator: Sit chair? (Pointing to the regular chair)

Mommy: No, sit in your special seat.

The Negotiator: Elmo? Pooh? (Pointing to high chair)

Mommy: Max, we really don't need Elmo and Pooh to have dinner with us every night.

The Negotiator: ELMO! Melmo, melmo, pease.

Mommy places Elmo and Pooh in the high chair. Mommy gives Max his dinner.

The Negotiator: Duck? Cook-ee?

Mommy: When you are finished with your dinner, you can have a duck cookie. You have to eat your dinner first.

Max finishes his dinner and receives a duck cookie.

The Negotiator: Elmo? Duck cook-ee?

Mommy: Yes, Elmo can have a piece of duck cookie, too. Mommy hands Elmo a piece.

The Negotiator: Pooh? Pooh?

Mommy: Ok. Mommy hands Pooh a piece of cookie.

The Negotiator: Elmo, pooh cook-ee. No. No. Max-max eat.

Max reaches for Elmo's and Pooh's cookies and eats them himself.

End Scene.