'Daddy, Do You Know Batman?'

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of a conversation with Elliot, age 3.

"Daddy, can I hold Alice's hat?"

"Alice is wearing her hat, and it's cold. So we should keep it on her head."

"Daddy, do you know that some people have cars that plug in?"

"I did know that. Do you know what those cars are called?"

"Robots?"

"Electric cars."

"Daddy, is this whistling?"

[Hums.]

"No."

"Daddy, can we get a cat?"

"I don't think so, Elliot."

"Why not?"

"Maybe someday."

"Why not now?"

"We have enough going on without an animal in the house."

"But I could take it with me when I go for a walk."

"Cats aren't very good at going on walks."

"Then it could stay home while I go for a walk."

"We're not getting a cat."

"Daddy, do you know Batman?"

"No. Well, I know who he is."

"You can only see his shadow."

"Is that scary?"

"Yes."

"Okay, but he's a not a bad person."

"Daddy, Alice took off her hat. Can I hold it now?"