Dr. NoSleep

Just me, I'm afraid.

I want to speak to corporate.

We're a franchise, sir.

Then get me the goddamn owner!

Uh, the manager is the owner.

And like I said, he's out today.

The man shakes with frustration and rage.

I put my hand under the counter, ready to trigger the alarm if needed.

Then his whole body deflates.

He leans heavily on the counter.

His eyes finally leave me and go to the toy.

A spell master is orange and red, just like the more popular speak and spell.

It has a large handle at the top, a monochrome LCD screen below that, and a full keypad below that.

There are close to a dozen word-based games you can play on it, or it can be used as a spell checker or even a calculator.

It's a pretty cool thing when you're a kid, especially the electronic voice synthesizer.

When you're young enough, you can almost believe it's talking right to you, and you alone.

But as an adult, the voice can be grating and a little annoying.

We used to have a demo model out on the floor, but I turned it off after a week.

The guy goes to tap the spell master, but holds his finger an inch above the toy.

That, that thing is evil.