14) Smile

"Smile," the man said, holding up a camera. "You should always smile! It takes less muscles to smile than to frown, don't you know that? And every day could be your last! You don't want to be found dead with a frown on your face, do you?"

"You're creepy," said the little boy, staring back at him, eyes wide.

"Oh child! Why would you every say that! I am wounded!" He placed his hand over his heart in a dramatic manner, gasping as if mortally injured. "I am most certainly not 'creepy,' as you say it! I merely wish to encourage the act of smiling, to spread my smiles throughout the world!"

"I don't want to smile," muttered the child, picking up the stuffed bunny he was carrying and holding it in front of his face. "I'm not going to smile. I'm not!" he repeated, a little forcefully. He wanted to get off the chair, but it was much too high up for his little legs. He wriggled in place for a while, wondering if his mommy would be mad if he ran away. But he couldn't run away anyways, so it didn't matter.

"Oh, child, really?" said the man, now sounding sad. "That is so disappointing. I am afraid I must force you to smile, then."

"How can you make me smile?" asked the boy. He had decided that it wouldn't be that bad a fall. Maybe his bunny would help by providing a landing pad.

"I have my ways. But it would be better if you just smiled for me." His voice was angry now, and he had put down the camera and was reaching for something behind him. "I have my ways. Smile, boy, or forever regret it!"

"You're scary!" screamed the boy. His stuffed bunny fell to the ground, and he made a motion to jump. Something flashed. And then he felt himself being skewed sideways, pulled to the ground, his mouth distorted, a cry coming from it...

And then it was over.

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"Your pictures, ma'am!" said the man. He bowed professionally, handing her the stack. "Now your child will smile forever in these images. You will never be bothered by his tantrums again. You will never again have to endure the pain of his frowns. Your world will be just the tiniest bit more perfect."

"Thank you, sir," said the woman with a smile. "It was worth every penny."

"Always a pleasure. Always a pleasure to see someone with a smile."