A scenario I thought up on the way home from work
Scene: a schoolboy's bedroom.
DAD: Jackie, can I have a word, please?
JACKIE: Not now, dad, I'm busy.
DAD: You're not busy at all.
JACKIE: This is a difficult bit.
DAD: I don't think playing on the PlayStation is "busy", exactly, do you?
JACKIE: Can't it wait?
DAD: Look, you can pause it, can't you? Even I know you can pause it.
JACKIE: [sighs] OK, what is it?
DAD: I think you're spending too much time on that thing. Every night you're at it. How about getting a bit of fresh air for a change?
JACKIE: That's boring, dad. There's nothing to do outside.
DAD: What about going to play with your friends? You never seem to do that any more, do you?
JACKIE: Play? Dad, I'm 11! God, you're so lame.
DAD: But what about whatsisname who you used to be friends with? You never see him these days, do you?
JACKIE: Who?
DAD: Oh you know, him...you used to go and see him and bring him all sorts of things...he used to like...strings. And what else was it he was obsessed with?
JACKIE: Ceiling wax.
DAD: Yes, that's right. Probably kept B&Q going during the last recession...but anyway, what ever happened to him? You should go and see him again. It'll get you out of the house. It's good to have a little friend at your age.
JACKIE: Little?
DAD: Well, OK, not that little. But wouldn't it be better than being cooped up in here all the time? You should go and see him...what was his name again?
JACKIE: Puff.
DAD: Yes, that's right, Puff. Funny name - god knows what his parents were thinking - but I always quite liked him. A bit loud, I'll grant you, but a bit of boisterous energy is a healthy thing, I'd say. You used to go see him all the time. And you'd go sailing! Just think of all that bracing sea air...
JACKIE: That was when I was a kid, dad. I'm 11 now. They're not cool any more.
DAD: What aren't?
JACKIE: Dragons.
DAD: Oh come on.
JACKIE: You don't know what it's like.
DAD: I just don't understand you. He's a bloody dragon! You were best mates with a dragon! How is that not cool? I'm 44 and I'd love to be mates with a dragon. A dragon!
JACKIE: Dad, leave it.
DAD: A real dragon!
JACKIE: Dad...
DAD: And not just any dragon. A magic dragon! You know a real-life magic dragon! Surely that's as cool as...
JACKIE: I'll think about it.
DAD: Will you? Will you really?
JACKIE: Maybe.
DAD: OK, son. Look, your tea's nearly ready. Are you going to come down?
JACKIE: In a bit. I just want to finish this bit.
DAD: What are you playing?
JACKIE: Dragon Quest. You wouldn't understand it.