Putting the Children to Bed

Andrea: It’s your turn to put the kids to bed. 

Marlon: No, I put them to bed last night, didn’t I? 

Andrea: Nope, I did that. Don’t forget their bedtime story. 

Marlon: The kids won’t let me forget it. Okay, time for bed! Go brush your teeth and put on your pajamas. It’s lights out in 15 minutes. 

Andrea: What are you doing? 

Marlon: I’m finishing my newspaper. 

Andrea: Aren’t you going to watch over them to make sure they’re getting ready for bed? 

Marlon: Nope. You have your methods and I have mine. 

Andrea: Okay, this I’ve got to see. 

Marlon: I don’t hear anyone brushing their teeth. If everyone isn’t in bed in five minutes, they’re going to get a cuddle from Norman. 

Andrea: Who’s Norman? 

Marlon: Norman is just a little scary monster I told them about. Norman eats little children who aren’t in bed when they’re supposed to be. It’s my way of making sure they stay in bed through the night. 

Andrea: That’s terrible! That’ll give them nightmares. 

Marlon: Nonsense. It won’t do them any harm. As my father told me, Norman only eats bad children.