The Puppy&nbsp;Dad’s phone buzzed. It was Poppy.Strange. His heart tightened. Was she hurt?&nbsp;He answered quickly.“Poppy? You okay?”&nbsp;Her face filled the screen, beaming.“Hi, Dad! Yeah, I’m fine. I’m in Crawley with Amy — we’ve come to see a Cockapoo! I’m so excited. Look!”&nbsp;She turned the camera, revealing two wagging, curly-haired pups tumbling over each other.&nbsp;Dad blinked. A dog?He’d been half asleep on the sofa. Now, it felt like he’d been dropped into an ice bath.&nbsp;“Well,” he managed, “this is a surprise. I wish you’d asked first.”&nbsp;Poppy grinned, unfazed. “There are two I can choose from. Which one do you like best?”&nbsp;Dad sighed, squinting at the screen. “Hmm… the reddish one’s pretty cute.”&nbsp;Her smile widened. “So I can have him, Dad? He’ll be ready in two weeks!”&nbsp;He tried to sound firm, but it came out soft.“You’re a nightmare, you know that? …I guess so. Just come home soon, it’s getting late.”&nbsp;“Thanks, Dad! Love you!” Two weeks later, Poppy burst through the door with a blur of fur in her arms.&nbsp;“This is Apple!” she announced.&nbsp;The little Cockapoo wriggled free, tumbling across the living room like a wind-up toy — all ears, paws, and joy.&nbsp;Dad sat in his chair, pretending to read the paper, doing his best not to melt.He gave a small nod. “He’s… alright, I suppose.”&nbsp;Poppy frowned. “You don’t like him?”&nbsp;“Didn’t say that,” he muttered, hiding a smile behind the newspaper. The next morning, Apple was tearing around the kitchen, chasing a rubber ball while Poppy laughed.&nbsp;“I’m gonna get dressed,” she said, heading upstairs. “Keep an eye on him, please!”&nbsp;She’d barely reached the landing when she realized she’d left her phone downstairs. She tiptoed back and peeked through the door.&nbsp;There was Dad — standing in the living room, completely smitten. He knelt on the floor, gently scratching Apple’s chin, whispering, “Who’s a good boy, huh? Don’t tell your mum, but you’re the best thing to happen here in ages.”&nbsp;Poppy smiled, heart full.&nbsp;She slipped away quietly, leaving them to it.&nbsp;The End. &nbsp;The PUPPYscreenplay&nbsp;Written by Kevin Gargini FADE IN:&nbsp;INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT&nbsp;DAD, mid-40s, dozing on the sofa. His phone BUZZES beside him. He squints — it’s a video call from POPPY (20s).&nbsp;He frowns, worried.He answers.&nbsp;DADPoppy? You okay?&nbsp;ON SCREEN:POPPY’s face lights up with excitement. Behind her, a blur of fur and wagging tails.&nbsp;POPPYHi, Dad! I’m fine. I’m in Crawley with Amy — we’ve come to see a Cockapoo I want to buy! Look!&nbsp;She flips the camera — two curly-haired puppies tumble over each other.&nbsp;DAD(half-asleep, startled)A… dog?&nbsp;POPPYA Cockapoo! Isn’t he adorable? Mum said it’s fine.&nbsp;Dad rubs his eyes, sitting up straighter. His calm is slipping.&nbsp;DADWell… this is a surprise.Maybe next time you could, you know, ask first?&nbsp;POPPYThere are two I can choose from. Which one do you like better?&nbsp;DAD(squinting at the screen)Hmm… the reddish one’s cute, I suppose.&nbsp;POPPY(excited)So I can have him? He’ll be ready in two weeks!&nbsp;DAD(sighs, defeated)You’re a nightmare.Fine. Just… get home soon, okay? It’s late.&nbsp;POPPYThanks, Dad! Love you!&nbsp;DADLove you too, Pops.&nbsp;He hangs up and sinks back onto the sofa — half amused, half horrified.&nbsp;DAD (to himself)A dog. Brilliant. INT. LIVING ROOM – TWO WEEKS LATER – DAY&nbsp;The front door bursts open. POPPY rushes in holding a small, curly Cockapoo.&nbsp;POPPYDad! Meet Apple!&nbsp;Apple wriggles free and scampers across the room, full of energy.&nbsp;DAD(peering over his newspaper)Hmm. He’s… alright, I suppose.&nbsp;POPPY(disappointed)You don’t like him?&nbsp;DADDidn’t say that.(just can’t help smiling a little)He’s… fine.&nbsp;Poppy rolls her eyes. Apple barks, tail wagging furiously. INT. KITCHEN – NEXT MORNING&nbsp;Sunlight spills across the floor. POPPY throws a small ball; Apple races after it, skidding on the tiles.&nbsp;POPPYI’m gonna get dressed! Keep an eye on him, Dad!&nbsp;She dashes upstairs. The moment she’s gone, DAD looks down at Apple. Pause. Then—&nbsp;DAD(softly, to Apple)Alright, come here, troublemaker.&nbsp;Apple leaps into his arms. Dad laughs despite himself, stroking the puppy’s fur.&nbsp;DAD (CONT’D)Don’t tell your mum… but you’re the best thing to happen here in ages.&nbsp;Apple licks his cheek. Dad melts completely. INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS&nbsp;Poppy peeks back in quietly — she forgot her phone. She spots Dad kneeling on the floor, cuddling Apple, laughing like a kid.&nbsp;She smiles, watching in silence for a moment.&nbsp;Then she slips away. FADE OUT.&nbsp;THE END&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Puppy 

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The Puppy

Gargini10.

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The Puppy

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Kevin GARGINI

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