"But L Wants Ice Cream!"

Setting the stage: two toddlers enter coffee shop with their little sisters and Mommies. Toddlers understand that they will be allowed to select one treat. Coming to the coffee shop after ballet class is becoming a ritual and thus far, the girls have always picked a cupcake as their treat.

1. E breaks tradition and picks ice cream as her treat.
2. L has already picked and started to eat a cupcake when she sees the ice cream in E's hand.
3. L decides she wants ice cream, too.
4. L demands ice cream.
5. E draws ice cream close to her chest.
6. L's Mommy explains that L has already picked the cupcake, that she may have only one treat, and that perhaps next time she can choose ice cream.
7. L demands ice cream.
8. L decides to visit ice cream freezer.
9. E decides to join L in this adventure.
10. E says, "Do you need help, L?"
11. Both L and E reach up to touch the sliding door, which closes the top of the freezer. Neither child is tall enough to see the door nor to reach into the freezer.
12. Girls realize there are pictures of different ice cream treats on the front of the freezer.
13. Girls spend time gesturing and discussing the different treats.
14. E says, "You want this one? Ok."
15. E's Mom says, "E, what are you doing?" E says, "L wants ice cream. She wants strawberry."
16. E and L again reach for the sliding door and realize they can't open it more than a few inches.
17. Girls consult.
18. E bends down to lift up L, so that L can open freezer and get ice cream treat. She hoists L up, so that L's elbows are resting on the top of the freezer.
19. Girls loose balance and tumble to the ground. Both girls get to their feet, undeterred.
20. L's Mommy decides that it's time for them to go home and approaches L.
21. L reminds her Mommy that she wants ice cream, now.
22. L leaves, without ice cream.
23. E selects a chair and drags it several feet to ice cream freezer.
24. E climbs chair, looks in freezer and wears a broad smile.
25. E reaches for the sliding door and E's Mommy says, "Ok, my dear, it's time for us to go."
26. E says, "But L wants ice cream!"
27. E, K, and Mommy leave the coffee shop, without another ice cream.
28. Girls begin plotting for their return.