(reprinted without permission from the Mobtown Shank)
A BORN THIEF
by Erin Sullivan
SETTING: Kinko’s on Route 40 in Catonsville.
PLAYERS: A young child, probably about 4 or 5 years old, and two middle-aged women with him. Presumably one of them is his mother.
CHILD [Takes a packet of brightly colored envelopes off shelf and stuffs them into his jacket.]
WOMAN1: What are you doing?
CHILD: Stealing.
WOMAN2 [Turns to other woman with her.]: You hear that? [Turns back to child.] What are you doing with that?
CHILD: I’m stealin’ it. I want to steal something!
WOMAN1 [Cackling hysterically, takes the envelopes from the child and puts them back.]
CHILD [Starts to cry]: No, no, no! I’m stealing, I want to steal something, I want to steal something, I want to steal something, I want to steeeeaaaallll!
The women leave the store laughing their asses off, crying child in tow.