This short play was originally produced by the San Francisco Playwrights Foundation for the 2016 FlashPlays Festival.

HOW TOUCHING
By Tracy Held Potter

Characters: Adult 1, Adult 2, Child

[ADULTS talk while CHILD plays.]

ADULT 1
I just don’t get why he thinks it’s okay to touch people that way.

ADULT 2
Right? Like it’s an office, keep your hands to yourself, Dude.

ADULT 1
Exactly.

[ADULT 1 checks the time.]

ADULT 1 (cont.)
Oh! We’ve got to go. It was great to see you!

ADULT 2
Yeah! Let’s do this again—sooner!

ADULT 1
Say goodbye.

[ADULT 2 stretches arms to get a hug, but Child goes to Adult 1.]

CHILD
Bye.

ADULT 2
No hug? Come over here!

[CHILD shakes head “no.”]

ADULT 1
Go on.
(nudging)
Then you can have a treat in the car.

[CHILD reluctantly goes to Adult 2, “accepting” ADULT 2’s hug with arms down, then scurries back to Adult 1.]

ADULT 1
Was that so bad?

[END OF PLAY]