The Lolly Kid

Toys R Cool

' Kid … this is the police … come out with your hands up … and we can forget this ever took place,' said the Captain into the megaphone.

 

From the upstairs window … of the Toys R Us outlet … the kid looked out … and after grappling with the way the megaphone works … and some long shrieks … said , ' I will not.'

 

' We have your English teacher from grade school here … you know Mrs. Wong … you adored her as a child … she wants to say a few words,' the Captain announced … handing the megaphone to Mrs. Wong.

 

' Boy … boy … ' started the eloquent Mrs Wong … until the Captain whispered … ' he calls himself  the Lolly kid now.'

 

' Oh … ' exclaimed the intrepid Mrs Wong, ' Lolly … Lolly … how are you sweetie? … this is Mrs Wong … how are you doing today?'

 

' I'm okay …,' came the reply from the top window.

 

' Sweetie … we don't want anybody to get hurt … you wouldn't want that … so we should deal with this like grown-ups. Can you tell me why you have taken hostages at … Toys R Us?'

 

' Because its better than … FAO Schwarz,' came the instant reply.

 

' No … I mean … what are you saying … why are you doing this?' continued Mrs Wong.

 

' Because … because … all the people are stealing the children's toys … and the children don't have toys to play,' replied the kid from the megaphone. His voice carried a genuine sense of hurt … and concern.

 

She turned to the Captain … but he simply stared blankly with … ' I have no idea what that is.'

 

' Sweetie … ' continued Mrs Wong … ' stay where you are. I understand what you are saying … I will talk to the police about it.'

 

' Okay ' came the reply … then the sound of the megaphone switching off.

 

' Its the social trend … these days … the kids think the adults are displacing them … with the fun they used to have … and the kids don't have anything to call their own.'

 

The captain frowned … then said … ' Madam I assure you there are no adults playing with toys. I can't respond to that … as a matter of fact … I have a SWAT team on standby … and that's no toy. Thank you for coming here to help out … but we'll take it from here.'

 

The Captain then called … Ali … the gym master.

 

' Son … ' he announced into the megaphone … ' this is Ali … your basketball coach from school … son … what you are doing is dangerous and it can hurt a lot of people. Go home … jerk it off … and you'll feel better tomorrow.'

 

The megaphone shrieked from the top window … and the words … ' F**k you ' … came out loud and clear … to the crowd below.

 

The lieutenant from the Swat team … walked over to the captain … and motioned for the megaphone … to speak to the boy. The Captain passed it to him.

 

' Kid … 'announced the Lieutenant into the megaphone in a clipped voice … ' this is Lt. Garrick … of SWAT. Son … if you are prepared to surrender right now … I can arrange for you … to come meet  us at SWAT headquarters in town … and make an application to join us.'

 

There was several minutes of silence in the top window … and then the reply … ' Okay.'

 

The Captain stared at the Lieutenant in disbelief … and spoke with astonishment … ' We could have used you at Waco.'

 

' Never too late … to try something new …' said the Lieutenant … as he rolled a cigarette and placed it in his mouth. He pointed to the scar … on his forearm …  ' Six inch blade … from a SWAT team member … in '98. He threw it … from about 7 feet away … and it caught my gun arm. That's when I realized  I wanted to join SWAT. Didn't want to hurt anyone … was just looking to be useful.'

 

The door to Toys R Us opened … and the Captain rushed forward to bring the kid in for questioning. Above the store … the giraffe icon … continued smiling … the way he always did.