IM NOT GONNA GO TO BED! The cry rang through the whole house.

The screaming, kicking, punching little girl would not be silenced. At the DeFaro household, bedtime was one of the most difficult times of the day for Mr. and Mrs. DeFaro. Every night, their spoiled little girl whom they pampered and pored over, would go insane with anger, rage and hate of bedtime. Not even the most soothing lullaby could calm the little imp. She would almost drive her parents mad. But they never raised their voices at her. This particular night, Mr. and Mrs. DeFaro were in a dreadful rush. They wanted to catch an old black-and-white movie on TV. Putting their little darling to bed was no quick and easy task, so they were a bit more stern than usual. Mr. DeFaro was of particularly short temper. He was brooding on the bed while Mrs. DeFaro prepared their daughter, Lavinia, for bed. Lavinia DeFaro went through her usual antics while getting ready for bed. She squirmed uncontrollably while getting her pajamas on. She wouldnt open her mouth while brushing her teeth. She would shake her head and scream while her golden curls where untangled. After an hour of preparation, her parents finally had her in bed well, on it at least. So angered was she that she had been put in bed that she let out a scream like a banshee. Her father, jumping to his feet, roared as loud as he could, SILENCE! Immediately, as if by magic, the house was silent. The red face of Lavinia wore an expression of utter surprise and confusion. She hadnt known her father could yell too. It was so unnatural and astounding to her, that all she could do was stare at his dark scowl with parted lips and wide eyes. Mr. DeFaro, somewhat recovering himself, strode out of the room, grasping his wifes arm. She was almost as astounded as Lavinia. She hadnt thought it possible that one word could silence that child. She breathlessly asked Mr. DeFaro as they were descending the stairs, Is it right for parents to yell at their children? His face was set when he answered, Is it right for children to scream at their parents? They reached the den and turned on the TV. Mr. DeFaro looked at his watch.

We have almost five minutes, he said. Shall we pop some popcorn? His wife nodded and they walked off to the kitchen together. Creak. Creak. Creak. The stairs spoke as the six-year-old child crept down them. She moved slowly, calculating her every move. Her face was set in anger and determination. Her daddy wasnt going to yell at her and get away with it. What had she ever done? She was going to take revenge on her parents for what they had done to her. She was going to hide someplace clever and pester them through the whole movie with the toy blow-pipe she had begged from her mother. She brushed a golden curl from her rosy, glaring face. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she swept past the kitchen entrance with the stealth of a cat. Her soft feet made no sound on the carpet as she walked into the den. The TV was on, and the last commercial was showing before the movie started. Now to find a place to hide. She glanced around the room. Under the sofa would be no good. She couldnt shoot from there. The chest in the corner was inept as well. Her glance swept over the huge cabinet directly across the room from the TV. It was perfect. Her parents would never find her up there, on the top of it. Suddenly, she heard her mother call from the kitchen, Honey! The movie has started. Indeed it had. Lavinia looked around the room desperately. She had no time! Her parents were coming. She turned to face the TV. Maybe she could hide behind it. She started for it. But she tripped on some object on the floor, right in front of the screen. She was soaring towards the screen, expecting to feel a jolt and a bump on the head. Instead, she had a strange sensation that life was being drawn out of her and pumped into her at the same time. She felt a strange tingling; as if she had static electricity was zapping her from all directions. Suddenly, all of these feelings disappeared. She felt now that she was falling. She fell through the screen in the black and white movie. Thump. Her body hit the dust with a thud. For a moment, she felt unable to open her eyes. She felt weak and sore. She wanted to cry. A lump rose in her throat. What in the world had just happened? Was she dead? Was she in heaven? Mama had often said that good little girls went there.

Slowly she opened one eye, and just barely restrained an ear-piercing scream. Everything, the whole world, was colored black and white. Not only that, but she was in some strange place. She was lying on hot sand, and there were cacti and tumble weeds everywhere. The sun beat down on her back, and she began to feel like she was being cooked. She turned over and gasped with surprise. There was a horses hoof, barely five feet away from her. And there was a whole horse attached to it. On the horse was a funky looking man. He had a cow-boy hat on his head, dirt smudged on his cheeks, and an expression of utter astonishment on his face. Ward you cum frum? He asked, raising an eyebrow. She slowly stood up, and just stared at his face. He stared back, and then suddenly burst out laughing. He said, chuckling, Caint you talk? I seen you fall frum the sky or sumthin. But that aint true, is it? She shook her head, still trying to grasp what this meant. I fell from my den, she answered, as if in a trance. Suddenly, it dawned on her that she wasnt there anymore. She started with alarm. I FELL THROUGH THE TV SCREEN! she screamed, And I want to go back! She slumped down on the sand and began to sob uncontrollably. The black and white man just watched her and shook his head. The child was nuts. He turned his horse and began to ride away. Lavinia stood up and yelled after him, You are just a big, mean old man! You sucked me out of my house and put me here and now you are just going to leave me! You are fat! I am going to tell my On the other side of the screen, Lavinias parents watched this scene. They were both thinking the same two things; this movie is weird, and that kid looks just like Lavinia. Mr. DeFaro slowly reached for the remote control. Do you really want to watch this anymore, dear? he asked his wife. She shook her head, but a thoughtful expression was on her face as the TV clicked off. She looked at her husband quizzically. Could anyone really fall through the TV screen, dear? she asked. Now honey, that would be totally impossible. He answered. I dont knowthat kid was wearing the same PJs I put on Lavinia tonight. Her face was getting more and more disturbed as spoke. Her husband tried to reassure her.

Now dear, there is no need to get worried. That was only a silly movie recommended to us by our silly friends. Just calm down and breathe easy. If it would make you feel better, you can go upstairs and look at Lavinia. Shell be there, sleeping peacefully. In the morning, shell wake up the same horrible little child she has always been. Mrs. DeFaro stood and ascended the stairs. Mr. DeFaro reclined on the sofa, and picked up a book. He had just started reading when he dropped his book, disturbed by and ear-splitting scream from his wife. LAVINIA!!!!! He picked up his book again.