Setup: Scout or scouts hidden in background for voices. Scoutmaster walks into
camp and see a Scout sitting near a tent, whittling on a stick.
Scoutmaster: Hey! Cool tent. Mind if I speak to him?
Scout: (Looking curiously) The tent doesn't talk.
Scoutmaster: hey, tent, how's it going?
Tent: Doin' alright.
Scout: (Extreme look of shock)
Scoutmaster: Is this your owner? (Pointing to Scout)
Tent: Yep
Scoutmaster: How's he treat you?
Tent: Real good. He cleans me twice a day, takes his shoes off before he comes
in, and leaves my flaps open during the day for fresh air.
Scout: (Look of disbelief)
Scoutmaster: Mind if I talk to your backpack?
Scout: The backpack doesn't talk either.
Scoutmaster: Hey backpack, how's it going?
Backpack: Cool
Scout: (More extreme look of shock)
Scoutmaster: Is this your owner? (Pointing at Scout)
Backpack: Yep
Scoutmaster: How's he treat you?
Backpack: Pretty good, thanks for asking. He checks me regularly, brushes the
dirt off me often, and keeps me covered to protect me from the elements.
Scout: (Total look of amazement)
Scoutmaster: Mind if I talk to your pocketknife?
Scout: (Looks down at his pocketknife, pauses a moment) Pocketknives lie!
--Steve Robinson, on Scouts-L, March 22, 1996
