One:
Ignorant of the worlds on the other side of canvas-flaps — of performing dogs slipping free from circuses, themselves chasing the road-end — was Brian Mudd of Crete, New Jersey.
Finishing the penultimate week of the school year, Brian's class split into teams to capture the flag of the other. Brian kept watch of his castle, in which Roger schemed to steal Brian's flag.
"Brian, your jail is empty and our jail is full," said Roger. "Ooga-booga-booga... think about it."
"Hush, Young Roger," said Brian. "Any need to think today is not mine. My tightly-coiled reflexes thwart your escape. I navigate the invisible forces in which you are helpless. Accept your disappointment. Surrender your infantile beliefs."
"Me infantile?" said Roger. "Me older than you. You're the youngest kid in our class."
"I speak not of calendar age, little boy," said Brian. "Consider instead authentic measures of maturity. Like... nutrition."
"...here we go," said Roger.
"Vitamins," said Brian. "Minerals. Food groups. Worldly things discussed among grown-ups. Your capture is merely an inevitable stage in the Cycle of Life."
"I will always be astonished how quickly your mind can lose track of what you're doing," said Roger. "Do you even remember where you are? Who's the President? What's the sound of one hand clapping?"
"These fanciful schoolyard distractions are no substitute," said Brian. "No substitute for establishing the proper nutritional foundation for life's victories. Take you for example. I've seen you eat. When was the last time you had a banana? They are high in potassium. Besides, you won't run. You never run. Not unless someone else from your team has been tagged first. You hate going to jail by yourself."
"—look," said Roger. "Check out the peg-legged guy with the funny-looking dog."
"Are you trying to trick me?" said Brian. "I have to be careful, because, unlike lying for fun, using deception to win a game is not considered immoral. It's called bluffing."
"Brian, you talk like you'll read shampoo instructions for a living when you grow up," said Roger. "You'll find a job where you can talk like this: 'After you lather the shampoo in your hair, rinse it out. Then lather and rinse it from your hair again.' You'll do this in the supermarkets where they sell the shampoo. They'll pay you to go away."
"Some guy with a peg leg is watching our game," said Brian.
"Yes, Brian," said Roger. "That is what I've been trying to say."
"And he has a funny-looking dog," said Brian.
"—while he's distracted," said someone at the border. "—run."
"I hope you like a crowd," said Roger. The swarm of invading children opened a path for Roger and Brian. Roger was within reach. However, when Brian closed his hands, he held not his trophy, but a little spotted dog wearing a crown.