Child's Play
“Child's Play” is episode #712 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on May 5, 2012.
Summary
Eugene and Katrina take on a crazy weekend when they agree to babysitting two kids: one with limitless energy and another who must know the answer to every question.
Plot
At Whit's End, Whit, Wooton Bassett, Eugene Meltsner, and Connie Kendall are finishing with tending to a birthday party. Connie asks Eugene if something is wrong, and Eugene expresses that children don't like him since none of the children wanted to be on his "Burying Dung beetles" scavenger hunt team. Eugene is convinced that he would have been a terrible father and states that it's a good thing that he will never be one.
At the Meltsner household, Eugene and his wife, Katrina Meltsner are eating dinner. Katrina tells Eugene that she'd been talking with Rhonda, who asked Katrina if they would watch her kids while she's gone to a teacher's conference. Eugene agrees that they can, and Katrina calls Rhonda to confirm their plans. Eugene thinks that this will prove his theory once and for all.
The next day, Rhonda leaves her two kids, Kyle and Joy with Eugene and Katrina. Kyle goes to be entertained by Eugene and Joy stays with Katrina. Joy has a huge list of things they can do.
Kyle suggests that they play baseball or kickball, and Eugene reluctantly agrees. Eugene pitches, and Kyle hits the ball really hard. Eugene goes to retrieve the ball. Meanwhile, Joy and Katrina are making cookies. Joy asks to make pickle cookies, and Katrina agrees to put pickles in one cookie. Joy continues to ask questions about various things. Eugene returns after fighting off a blackbird, and Kyle hits the ball again and it goes even farther than the last one. Katrina and Joy decide to make paper dolls, which inspires more questions pertaining to everything from where paper comes from all the way to where the Bible came from. Eugene returns again with the ball, and makes improvements to the ball so it won't go as far. Kyle hits it and it appears to have gone even farther than the last one. Eugene goes to get his car keys in order to retrieve the ball.
That night Eugene and Katrina are absolutely exhausted. Both of them are amazed by how much energy the kids had. They decide to take the kids to Whit's End the next day. At Whit's End, Connie greets them and tells them that she and Wooton can handle the kids while they take a break. Wooton entertains Kyle and they decide to break Whit's End's marshmallow-catching-in-one's-mouth-from-David's-slingshot record. Joy goes on an Imagination Station adventure about Moses with Connie.
That evening, the kids are exhausted. Katrina and Eugene are in their room reflecting on the day, when Joy calls for Katrina and Kyle calls for Eugene. Both tend to their respective children. Eugene checks on Kyle, who has a sick stomach from all the marshmallows he ate. Eugene asks if there's anything his mother does when he's sick, and Kyle replies that she sings to them. Eugene sings a little song for Kyle and that seems to help a little. Katrina brings in an extra blanket for Joy. Joy thinks Connie got frustrated with all her questions and asks Katrina if she did, too. Katrina replies by saying that she admires Joy's curiosity and that God could use her to change the world by asking questions. After comforting her, she leaves to get a good night's sleep.
The next day, Katrina, Eugene, and the kids return to Whit's End. Joy comments that she had a great time and will be sad to leave them. Kyle wholeheartedly agrees. Eugene realizes that he's ok with kids after all. Whit asks the kids what their favorite part about the weekend was. Kyle says that it was when Eugene sang to him, and Joy says that it was when Katrina said she could be used by God to change the world someday.
At the Meltsner Household, Eugene and Katrina reflect on the silence after the noise of the children. They both miss the kids, and Eugene says he'll visit the sporting goods store to get a better batting set for the next time. The couple settle for a good night's sleep to top off the evening.
Discussion Questions
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Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Cal Jordan | Wooton Bassett |
Notes
- This episode has significant connection to The Ties That Bind (Saga).
- Trivia
- Eugene previously played sports with a boy he was babysitting with Katrina in #373: “For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll, Part 2”. His skill with a football in that episode apparently does not translate into skill with baseball here.
- Audio
- This episode features Eugene singing "Sumer Is Icumen In," which he originally sang in #158: “A Day in the Life”.
Quotes
Eugene Meltsner: I'm only speaking from my heart.
Connie Kendall: I had no idea your heart wasn't as smart as your brain.
Joy: Can we put pickles in the cookies?
Katrina Meltsner: Pickles?
Joy: I like pickles! I like cookies! Why don't we make pickle cookies?!
Eugene Meltsner: Alright, I'm back.
Kyle: You were gone a long time.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, getting your ball proved to be quite the adventure, involving a ladder and a particularly annoyed blackbird.
Joy: Where did God come from?
Katrina Meltsner: That is a very good question. I'll get my Bible and show you.
Joy: Okay! Where did the Bible come from?
Katrina Meltsner: Would you like a pickle cookie?
Kyle: Where are you going? The ball's that way.
Eugene Meltsner: I'm retrieving my car keys.
Katrina Meltsner: I think I pulled a muscle in my brain! How could a girl that age ask so many questions?
Joy: I think she wanted to get away from me. It happens with all my babysitters. I ask too many questions.
Katrina Meltsner: Is there such a thing as too many questions?
Katrina Meltsner: I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Well, the ones I can answer.
Joy: Good, because I was wondering, why did God make mosquitoes?
Eugene Meltsner: Every theory must be tested. I assumed as a parent I wouldn't be so hot, but it turns out I may be cool.
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