Small girl’s voice from inside tube: Repeat, I have the prisoner, over.

–McDonald’s playland, 69th & Metro, Queens

Little girl: Mommy, there are no good stones in this city anymore.

–79th & 5th

Little girl, proudly: Mommy, I found this on the floor of the supermarket, so I put it in my mouth.

–Waldbaum’s Supermarket, Sheepshead Bay

Little girl swinging around a receipt: I don’t have to pay taxes! Taaax-esss.

–66th & Broadway

Overheard by: Wishing I didnt have to either