"I will stay with you," said she to the doll, although she was not at all courageous.

The taped score produces baby talk and a doll says "mama."

"Here is how we are played with," the adult doll said, speaking in the old English accent.

"We thank you for coming," said the red-faced doll on the lower throne.

When she got tears, the doll said she loved her, and it made her feel good.

"The dolls would come home from work and say, 'Hi, honey, how are you doing?' "

"I can explain," the doll said in that same delightful voice.

"Don't sweat it, doll," Chris said, and put the papers back on the desk.

"Sure you did, doll," he said, not taking his eyes off the tactical display.

"But, doll," she said, following him down the alley and wondering what was going on.