Deceit.

Lights rise to reveal a Mother tucking in her daughter Cindy, and impatiently trying to explain something to her distraught daughter

Mother

(Exasperated)

How many times am I going to have to explain this to you Cindy? There isn’t any such thing as the Tooth Fairy. All of that money under your pillow was just from me.

Cindy

(Tear stricken, Disbelief)

But… but... Mommy… that means you’ve lied to me so many times…

Mother

(Trying to be soothing)

I know honey… but it’s not like I was trying to hurt you. In fact, I lied to you with the exact opposite intent. I lied to make you happier. Think about it, would you rather have never thought that magical creatures like the tooth fairy could exist? Would you really be happier facing the true, real, ugly world your entire life? I know I sure wouldn’t.

Cindy

Oh, I understand why you made up the Tooth Fairy; it’s the other lies you told that are making me upset.

Mother

(Confused)

Other lies? What other lies?

Cindy

Like… last week when I asked if you could buy me a pony and you said we didn’t have enough money… and all the other times you said we didn’t have enough money for anything… Ever!

Mother

But… Cindy, honey, those weren’t lies. We really can’t afford anything like a pony just now. (Mumbles quietly)We can’t even really afford much more then ramen at the moment… What makes you think I’m lying?

Cindy

Well, all the money you put under my pillow last night for the tooth I lost!

Mother

(Cocks head)

You lost a tooth yesterday?

Cindy

Of course I did Mommy! Then last night you put this under my pillow.

Cindy pulls out a tightly rolled stack of hundred dollar bills from under her pillow. MOTHER gapes in astonishment. Silence for a moment.

Mother

(Taken aback)

I… Cindy… but… you… (Mumbles to self, astonished) She’s… she’s real… this whole time… My parents weren’t lying… I wasn’t lying… No one was lying… The Tooth Fairy’s real… (Collects herself and speaks excitedly) Cindy… how many baby teeth do you have left?!

Blackout

Fin.