Lunchtime Problem
Characters:
Dad
Zack, a ten-year old boy
Melody, Zack’s thirteen-year-old sister
Scene: Driving down the road in the family minivan, Dad, Zack, and Melody deciding where to get lunch.
Dad (Smiling at Zack and Melody): So what do you guys feel like having for lunch? I thought that new deli that just opened might be good.
Zach (looking eager and excited): I want to go to Biggie Burger! They have a new burger. I heard about it on television. It has fifty percent more meat. Can we go there, Dad?
Melody (cringing and sticking out her tongue as if gagging): Zack, that stuff is bad for you. Dad, I can’t eat there. I’m trying to stay fit for the school dance team auditions next month. Let’s go someplace where I can get a salad or a healthy sandwich.
Zach (trying to convince his sister): You can get a toy there too. One of the action figures from that new film Danger Valley.
Melody (not convinced): Zach, a toy can’t make up for that yucky stuff that some fast-food places put in their food – stuff like sugar, artificial flavoring, fat and chemicals. I can’t eat that if I want to do well in auditions. I feel tired and sluggish after I eat stuff like that. I need to be careful about the things I eat so I can feel my best.
Dad (looking at Melody approvingly): I’m glad you are thinking more about good nutrition, Melody. You seem to know a lot about it. Where did you learn all this?
Melody: Oh, our dance teacher, Mrs. Fritz. She talked to us about nutrition one day, and I got really interested. I started looking at the list of ingredients on food labels and read some articles in health magazines and looked on the internet for information about nutrition.
Zach (looking a little surprised): Yeah, but you used to love junk food. Aren’t you going to eat it anymore:
Melody: I’ll still eat it sometimes. A little bit isn’t bad. I like guilty snacks as much as the next person. But it just makes me feel all full and bloated. I figure if I eat healthy most of the time, I can eat treats occasionally.
Dad: That sounds like a good plan to follow. Everything in moderation. I’m sure you’ll be ready for the auditions, and you’ll do great. But we still need to figure out where we are going to eat.
Zack (pointing out the window): Dad, that deli you were talking about is just up ahead. I’m sure they have salads, and I can get a turkey sandwich.
Dad (surprised): What? You don’t want to go to Biggie Burger anymore?
Zach (shrugging his shoulders and smiling): A sandwich just sounds better to me now. Besides, I want to be ready for our biking trip next week. Maybe I’ll even beat Melody in a race.
Melody (laughing) Fat chance!