Catherine
Why is this creepy puppet on my bed?
Mom
What are you talking about?
Catherine
There’s this old marionette puppet sitting in the middle of my bed.
Catherine
It’s staring at me.
Catherine
Its eyes remind me of Dad :*(
Mom
Catherine, throw the puppet in the dumpster.
Catherine
Wait…it’s gone.
Mom
What do you mean “gone”?
Catherine
I left my room for a minute while I was texting you.
Catherine
And it’s not on my bed anymore.
Catherine
Wait, did you get home already?
Catherine
Did you throw it away?
Mom
No, I’m still at work.
Mom
Where could it have gone?
Mom
Why’d you put it in there?
Catherine
Mom listen to me.
Catherine
I just watched this creepy puppet move across the floor and into my closet…
Mom
Catherine, that’s ridiculous.
Mom
If you’re scared, lock the closet door.
Catherine
I’m not going back in there!
Catherine
I’ve seen horror movies. I am not messing with that thing.
Mom
Just lock the door and try not to worry.
Mom
I’ll deal with it when I get home.
Catherine
Right, because you’re an expert in haunted puppet removal.
Catherine
I’m calling the police.
Mom
We don’t need to involve the cops.
Mom
I mean, honey, come on, it’s just a doll.
Catherine
Um, not exactly.
Mom
Why? What’s happening now?
Mom
Did you lock the door?
Catherine
I’m standing in my room.
Catherine
The puppet is sitting on a shelf in my closet.
Mom
Honey, why did you open the door?
Catherine
Because it’s still staring at me.
Catherine
And now… its mouth is moving.
Catherine
I think it’s trying to tell me something.
Catherine
Mom! I am NOT touching that thing.
Catherine
It’s terrifying -
Catherine
And its eyes look just like dad’s.
Catherine
Ripping off its head would be traumatic.
Mom
Honey, I thought you were over that.
Mom
Remember how you saw your father everywhere after he died?
Mom
Look, I want to support you. But I also need to listen to me carefully.
Mom
Get rid of that puppet. NOW!
Catherine
I locked the closet door.
Catherine
I slammed it closed as quickly as I could.
Catherine
He should be stuck in there.
Mom
Good. I’ll be home soon.
Catherine calls out to her mother…
Catherine
Thank god you’re home!
Mom
Is the puppet still in the closet?
Catherine
I think so. I haven’t heard the door open.
Catherine
What are we going to do, Mom?
Catherine
That thing is really scary.
Mom
I’m going to go take a look.
Catherine
What?! Are you crazy?!
Catherine
That seems really dangerous.
Catherine
Please, let’s just call the cops and have them handle it.
Catherine
I already lost one parent.
Catherine
I don’t want to lose you too.
Mom
Catherine, honey, I love you - but stop with the dramatics.
Mom
We have control of the situation here. I’m going to see what’s going on.
Mom
I’ll be back in a minute. Stay here.
She leaves the kitchen and walks into Catherine’s room.
The room is quiet and undisturbed.
Catherine’s mother approaches the closet calmly and taps on the door.
Catherine’s mother unlocks the door and peeks inside.
Her eyes widen sharply and she gasps. She slams the closet door shut and relocks it.
Catherine
Mom! Is everything okay?
Catherine
Did it attack you?!
Catherine’s mother grabs her daughter’s wrist and pulls her out of the room.
Mom
You were right - this IS dangerous.
Mom
We need to lock ourselves in my study.
