Pinching of cheeks, incoming

[karmichand]

FADE IN ON:

A VIDEO GAME ON A COMPUTER SCREEN

The game is in progress. As a sick coughing sound is heard.

                    CUT TO:

THIS KID

lying in bed, coughing. Pale, one sick cookie. Maybe he's seven or eight or nine. He holds a remote in one hand, presses it, and the video game moves a little bit. Then he's hit by another spasm of coughing, puts the remote down.

His room is monochromatic, greys and blues, mildly high-tech. We're in the present day and this is a middle class house, somewhere in the suburbs.

                    CUT TO:

The Kid's MOTHER as she enters, goes to him, fluffs his pillows, kisses him, and briefly feels his forehead. She's worried, it doesn't show. During this

[karmichand]

MOTHER You feeling any better?

[karmichand]

THE KID A little bit.

[karmichand]

MOTHER Guess what.

[karmichand]

THE KID What?

[karmichand]

MOTHER Your grandfather's here.

[karmichand]

THE KID (not overjoyed) Mom, can't you tell him that I'm sick?

[karmichand]

THE KID (not overjoyed) Mom, can't you tell him that I'm sick?

[karmichand]

    THE KID
He'll pinch my cheek. I hate that.

[karmichand]

MOTHER
Maybe he won't.

[karmichand]

The Kid shoots her an "I'm sure" look, as we

                    CUT TO:

THE KID'S GRANDFATHER bursting into the room. Kind of rumpled. But the eyes are bright. He has a wrapped package tucked under one arm as be immediately goes to The Kid, pinches his cheek.

    GRANDFATHER
Hey! How's the sickie? Heh?

[karmichand]

The Kid gives his Mother an "I told you so" look. The Mother ignores it, beats a retreat.