the puppy

Norah, on hands and knees: "Arf arf arf!"
Beat.
"I being a puppy, mommy!"
Beat.
"I have a treat?"
Mommy: "Okay, Norah-puppy. Sit."
Norah sits on her bottom with her hands clasp in her lap.
"Shake." (Mommy extends her hand.)
Norah dangles one hand in the air and shakes it back and forth, ignoring Mommy's hand.
"Hmm," says Mommy, "Wag your tail."
Norah, on all fours again, extends one leg behind her and it hovers in the air, wagging haphazardly.

Norah-puppy happily snarfs her well-deserved treat.