Act 3, Scene 11: “Squish”

TRL and C & E are playing in the front yard.

Guys, don’t play in the dirt, TRL cautions, not wanting to give them a bath later on.

S waves from the front porch where she is sweeping the pollen, leaves and other drippy and dry things which the trees have been exuding constantly all over the lawn.

Guys, look! TRL exclaims, spotting a large toad trying to hop into the crevice of a tree. TRL scoops up the toad, which promptly lets loose a black liquid all over his hands. Ewwwww, screams TRL dropping the toad. It pooed on me.

The boys stare at the toad, which sits in the grass, catching its breath.

Cool, huh guys, says TRL. It’s a toad.

And then C raises his knee and with the bottom of his foot stomps on the animal.

Nooooo, cries TRL, but too late. When C brings his foot up, the toad is mushed. It has deflated and it is still.

S, screams TRL, S! S, take the boys away.

S comes off the porch. What?

Take the boys away, he says. C stepped on the toad. It’s not good.

E wanders up the lawn and S grabs C to take him away. Ewwww, says S, catching a glimpse of the flattened toad.

TRL feels terrible. He pokes the toad with a stick. He should turn it over, and then dispose of it, he thinks. And suddenly it reinflates and starts breathing. And begins hopping away.

It’s OK, it’s OK shouts TRL, immensely relieved. He turns to C. You gave the toad a booboo, he explains. C immediately begins bawling.

It’s OK, says TRL, but we don’t step on toads. Or any other animals.

TRL stands up, the toad goo all over his hands and the residual horror of watching an animal gets mushed and seemingly killed filling his body. C continues to cry.

It’s OK, S soothes. Toad is alright.