Hey, Play Fair! Do you smell that, Kid-Bits? If I had a nose, I d be holding it like this.

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Margaret Barker
8 years ago
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1 WORD BOX antennae: a feeler on the head of an insect discard: to throw something away mangy: in poor condition; shabby molecule: the smallest part of a substance that displays all the chemical properties of that substance Whew Do you smell that, Kid-Bits? If I had a nose, I d be holding it like this. Nature You might wonder why I m making such a big deal about odors when I don t even have a nose. But I do have a Nature Sprout, and it lets me smell. Even in your nosey world, you have creatures that smell through organs other than their noses. Your insects, for instance, smell through their antennae. Anyway, right now, my sprout is sensing one stinky Bite BYTE dog. Bite BYTE has been sniffing around in the wrong place eating old files out of the trash bin. Yes files, not flies, but there isn t much of a difference as you will see. He was in the trash bin when a stormy Cloud BYTE drifted over and rained bits (that are just like drops of rain) on him. Bite BYTE is now soaked! You were supposed to be walking and watching Bite BYTE, not playing basketball. Now, you better get him cleaned up Lightenment, Inc. 1

Nature You might wonder why I m making such a big deal about odors when I don t even have a nose. But I do have a Nature Sprout, and it lets me smell.

2 Yeah, Kid-Bits, I ve got a problem and not just one problem, but two problems. You see, those old discarded files had bots and worms in them, so Bite BYTE is not only wet, he s also crawling with critters. This is pretty gross. I need to use my Power Smarts to find a way to get rid of the bots and worms and also find a way to get Bite BYTE dry. Walking him in the sun is not going to work since Cloud has been in a stormy mood all day and is not letting the sun shine. I need to use my Power Smarts to find a way to improve Cloud s mood, and then maybe he ll let the sun shine. I can see Cloud up there, and he seems to be arguing with someone down here. Oh, not surprising - it s Spark. I usually avoid Spark, but I need to go over to stop Spark from making Cloud even stormier! Hey, you know you lost, you white puff of vapor! Here comes your frumpy friend 8-Bit and his mangy hound. Maybe you ll believe him. Cough Well, hello to you too, Spark! Whatever side you are on is usually the opposite of the one I am on, but who knows. And, hello to you too, Cloud. Why are you wasting your wind arguing with Spark? Slithery, dithery, Spark He, yes, can hit the mark, But down comes zap, His shorter gap Slithery, dithery, shock! Hmm, Kid-Bits, Cloud is full of Self Power Smarts but often talks in riddles. It s sometimes hard for me to understand what he means. This riddle is like the nursery rhyme Hickery, Dickery, Dock, the Mouse Ran Up the Clock. Maybe Cloud s trying to tease Spark who hates computer mice. Sometimes you Kid-Bits use the computer mouse wildly, and, more than once, Spark s been scrolled over like a snake on a highway Lightenment, Inc. 2

I need to use my Power Smarts to find a way to get rid of the bots and worms and also find a way to get Bite BYTE dry.

3 Here comes Spider sliding down on her silken thread. Maybe she has some idea what s going on. Spark and Cloud, this is absolutely the last time I am going to weave a bullseye on my spider web for you two to hit. And, yes, 8-Bit, I do know what the argument s about. Then it s a game, Spider? Yes, 8-Bit. Spark challenged Cloud to a contest to see who can shoot his electricity closest to the bullseye Cloud s lightning against Spark s zap. Spark has won the last two times and has been teasing Cloud about it. And Cloud has been getting angrier and stormier. Oh, I see you already know that because you and Bite BYTE are drenched. I think I need my Logic Power Smarts, Kid-Bits. It doesn t make sense that Cloud is losing so badly. Yeah, Chump, I ve got a cold, but I still beat Cloud. Cough Cough I bet him all my old comic books against his. Winner is best out of ten, and I ve won four times already. Spark, where is the target? Oh, never mind. I see it right there behind your tail. That s not fair. Even coughing, you can t miss. That s the rules, Dweeb. Since I have a cold and am sick, the rules say that I get to make the rules, so I told Spider how to set up the game. That s ridiculous, Spark. There are no rules like that! You re not playing fair! Cloud, you have lots of Self Power Smarts, but you really need to work on your People Power Smarts to deal with characters like Spark. So now I understand your riddle, Cloud. There is a shorter gap between Spark s tail and the bullseye than from your lightning to the bullseye Lightenment, Inc. 3

Yes, 8-Bit. Spark challenged Cloud to a contest to see who can shoot his electricity closest to the bullseye Cloud s lightning against Spark s zap.

4 Shut up, Chump. As soon as I win this contest, I m gonna slink myself over to see your sister Gigals for a date. Cough We re going to lunch, and I m late and hungry from all this target shooting. Come to think of it, you may have to lead me to your pod, Dweeb. I usually find my way around by flicking my tongue to capture odor molecules from the air, which then go to a gland in my mouth, which then takes them to my Nature Sprout. Cough My tongue can t sense anything because of this cold. I won t be able to find my way to your pod! Hmm, Kid-Bits, Spark is hungry and in a hurry. My Logic Power Smarts are giving me an idea that will solve Cloud s losing streak and both of my Bite BYTE problems at once getting those critters off him and getting him dry. And, of course, improving the smell around here! I ll just text Jelli to fly by and help me with my idea. Very funny, Jelli! I ve got a solution to my stinky dog problem, but I need your help. Count me in, 8-Bit. Flutter Flutter I m always willing to help. Thanks, Jelli. I have to wait for the right moment, and then I ll have Spider tell you what to do Lightenment, Inc. 4

I usually find my way around by flicking my tongue to capture odor molecules from the air, which then go to a gland in my mouth, which then takes them to my Nature Sprout.

5 Spark, I ve got a solution to your problems. You must be really hungry from using up all your energy zapping those web bullseye targets. So how about only one more contest - winner takes all? Then, you ll be able to get to lunch with Gigals faster. I m sure I can get Cloud to agree that you can even stand closer to the target since, as you say, you have a cold. Since you re my sister s boyfriend, maybe Bite BYTE will even let you eat some bots and worms in his fur, if you re nice. That snack could hold you over until you get to eat lunch with Gigals. I can t smell because of my cold, but something smells fishy in my mind, Chump. You better not be up to something, or I ll turn my zapper on YOU. And I never miss! My stomach is growling, and I am hungry. Those bots do look tasty wiggling around in Bite s fur. Get out of my way, Chump. Yeah, there s a juicy one. Slurp Gulp And another one. Psst, Spider, while Spark is distracted and gorging himself on bots and worms, go attach a long strand of your silk to Jelli. Then, drag the silk to the center of your web bullseye. When you re done, tell Jelli to fly next to Cloud. Sure, 8-Bit. I ll do anything to put Spark back in his place. What was that, Dweeb? What are you up to? Oh, these bots are so fresh and delicious. Good, Kid-Bits. It only took Spider a couple of jumps to tag Jelli with her silk. Good thing silk is strong enough to handle the wind that Cloud is causing. I ll just text Cloud with my plan. There! That should do it! OK, Spark. Cloud says you can get your zapper closer to the web bullseye. He s ready to play one last time winner takes all. If you don t play, you forfeit WORD BOX Sure, Suckers. I always take all! Great Ready, set, go. Crack Zizzle Pop distract: to take away someone s attention gorge: stuff yourself with food forfeit: to lose the right to do something 2014 Lightenment, Inc. 5

Since you re my sister s boyfriend, maybe Bite BYTE will even let you eat some bots and worms in his fur, if you re nice. That snack could hold you over until you get to eat lunch with Gigals.

6 OUCH Bulls eye, Cloud! What? What? You Can t wait to sharpen my Word Power Smarts while reading your comic books, Spark. puff-nothing bag of water. The lightning went through the bullseye and hit my tail. My zapper is injured. Tricked! I ve been tricked! Next time you won t have your friends to help you, and I ll evaporate you, Cloud. The sun always shines when Beast s I son is kind. don t know what you did, 8-Bit, but you re gonna pay for this! Get me out of here, Chump! Come on, Spark, I can lead you over to my pod, and since Cloud is letting the sun shine, Bite BYTE can dry off on the way Lightenment, Inc. 6

Next time you won t have your friends to help you, and I ll evaporate you, Cloud. The sun always shines when Beast s I son is kind.

7 Amazing! Spark was helpful AND you have Bite BYTE all cleaned up! I ll let Gigals know you re here, Spark. Here we are, Spark. Hi, Mom, Spark helped me clean up Bite BYTE, and Cloud let the sun shine to make him nice and dry! Just between you and me, Dweeb, I ll get even with you next time. There s always a next time, Spark, and it always ends up the same for you. You need to improve your People Power Smarts and figure out how to get along better with other BYTES. See ya in the next story, Kid-Bits, when Spark will be working on his People Power Smarts by teaching us all about good manners! No chance, Dweeb. We ll see BYTES Image People Word Body Nature Self Sound Logic JOURNAL If you want to think about this story with your friends and family, here are some BYTES Discussion Questions to get you started: 8 1. State some reasons why you think people don t play fair sometimes. 2. Spark didn t play fair in the game, so 8-Bit devised a plan that let Cloud cheat too. Explain why you think it was or was not right for Cloud to cheat too. 3. If you were 8-Bit, how would you have handled Spark s cheating? 4. Think about a time when someone didn t play fair in a game you were playing. Explain how you solved the problem. Which of your Power Smarts did you use to solve the problem? 2014 Lightenment, Inc. 7

There s always a next time, Spark, and it always ends up the same for you. You need to improve your People Power Smarts and figure out how to get along better with other BYTES.

NO LONGER THE FIRST 2010 Josh Danz

NO LONGER THE FIRST 2010 Josh Danz Free performance of this play for high school and college level competitive forensics is permitted. All other rights reserved. The Intriguing Interp Series is published