Even when I was a kid, I had a good thing with kids. To this day

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The late morning sun filtered through the windows, casting soft patterns of light across the living room. Outside, the sounds of children’s laughter floated in from the yard, where a birthday party was in full swing. Balloons floated lazily in the breeze, and the sounds of playful chatter mingled with the occasional squeals of delight. Jack and Jeeny sat on the edge of the couch, watching the chaos of the celebration unfolding in front of them. The grown-ups were gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones, but their attention was always drawn back to the kids, who seemed to be having the time of their lives.

Jeeny: (Her voice light, but with a hint of curiosity as she glances at the children)
“You know, it’s funny how much more you connect with kids than with adults sometimes. Shawn Levy once said, ‘Even when I was a kid, I had a good thing with kids. To this day, if I go to a birthday party with one of my kids, I swear to you, I am so much happier hanging out with my kids and their friends than talking to the grown-ups.’ Isn’t that true? Kids just have this way of making things feel so… genuine.”

Jack: (His voice slightly amused, as he watches a group of kids racing around)
“I don’t know, Jeeny. I get the sentiment, but it feels a bit strange to think that someone would rather hang out with a bunch of kids than adults. I mean, we’re the ones who can have actual conversations. Don’t you feel like you need some kind of adult interaction sometimes?”

Host: The laughter and sounds of children echo around the room, but there’s a different energy here in the adult space, a sense of quiet unease, like a bubble of disconnection between the groups. The adults’ voices are softer, more measured, while the children’s energy fills the space like a burst of life. Jack and Jeeny sit between these two worlds, the contrast evident in the quiet hum of their conversation.

Jeeny: (Her voice gentle, with a trace of amusement as she watches a group of kids chase each other)
“Maybe it’s because kids are so unfiltered. They live in the moment, and there’s no pretension, no small talk. It’s all about what feels good right now, and they’re not worried about what anyone else thinks. Shawn Levy’s right — there’s something incredibly freeing about being around that kind of energy. It’s pure, it’s simple, and it just makes you feel alive.”

Jack: (A small chuckle, shaking his head as he leans back on the couch)
“Yeah, but sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them. They’re like little whirlwinds, always on the go. I get what you’re saying, though. Maybe we lose that sense of play as we get older. We get caught up in all the grown-up stuff — the responsibilities, the pressures — and forget how to just enjoy the moment.”

Host: The sounds of the party continue, filling the air like a gentle rhythm, a reminder of the carefree joy of childhood. Outside, the whisper of the wind through the trees seems to carry a message, a silent invitation to embrace that same lightness. Jack’s words hang in the air, caught between nostalgia and reality, between the fleeting freedom of youth and the weight of adulthood.

Jeeny: (Her eyes bright, a soft smile on her lips)
“That’s exactly it, Jack. Kids remind us of what it’s like to live without overthinking. They don’t hesitate to enjoy what’s in front of them, even if it’s just running around the yard or jumping into a game. And, you know, when you’re around that, it’s hard not to get caught up in it. You forget all the grown-up concerns for a while and just get lost in the fun.”

Jack: (Pausing, his tone a little softer, more reflective)
“Maybe that’s what makes spending time with kids so special. It’s not about the conversation or the depth — it’s the feeling that they bring, the energy of being around someone who’s not burdened by the world. You almost forget that you're a grown-up yourself, because you’re in the moment.”

Host: The laughter from the children outside seems to swell, filling the space between Jack and Jeeny, a constant reminder of the lightness that comes with their age. Their carefree chatter becomes a song of simplicity, a stark contrast to the complexity of the adult world they’ve stepped away from, even for a moment.

Jeeny: (Her voice playful now, her eyes following a group of kids as they play tag)
“Exactly. It’s not about how much you talk or what you say. It’s about the connection you feel — the shared joy. Kids don’t have to impress anyone, and sometimes, that’s the most refreshing thing in the world. It’s all about pure interaction, no masks, no filters.”

Jack: (A genuine smile tugging at his lips as he watches a child laugh, chasing after a bouncing ball)
“You know, you’re right. There’s a lot we can learn from that. Maybe as adults, we get so caught up in everything we think we need to be that we forget how to just be. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the simple things — just hanging out, being present, and letting things unfold without expectations.”

Host: The laughter of children continues to rise and fall in the background, echoing through the moments between Jack and Jeeny, weaving a quiet sense of connection between them. The world outside is full of sound, but the peace within them is a reminder of the joy that comes from simplicity — from stepping into the world of children, even just for a moment, and rediscovering the freedom to enjoy life as it comes.

Jeeny: (Her eyes warm, filled with understanding)
“Exactly. It’s the little things, Jack. And sometimes, it’s not about talking — it’s about being in the moment, sharing the energy of the people around you, and letting it make you feel more alive. Kids show us that there’s more to life than what we think we need.”

Jack: (Looking at her, his voice lighter, the realization settling in)
“Yeah. And I think that’s what makes them so easy to be around. They’re just in the moment, without all the baggage we carry as adults.”

Host: The sun dips lower, casting its final rays over the yard where the children continue to play, their laughter now a soft soundtrack to the evening. Jack and Jeeny sit in comfortable silence, their words fading into the background as the sounds of youth, of play, fill the air — a reminder that sometimes, the most profound moments come when you let go of the need to analyze and just enjoy the simplicity of being.

End Scene.