Madysen Misunderstands The Lock & Key System [Archives]

So this is Big Fun (disregard the Honda parked in front), an eclectic and great little toy store in Cleveland Heights. Most of the inventory consists of toys from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. During the five years we lived in Cleveland Heights, we made numerous trips to Big Fun.

On one such occasion, I think in the the spring of 2001, we went there after successful parent/teacher meetings. I don’t recall what Speed (6 at the time) chose (probably something like a potato gun), but Madysen (7 at the time) picked out a Hello Kitty coin bank. The bank was tin and–as they often do–had a slot in the lid to insert, um, coins. And the lid was secured by a small padlock and key.

So as we got in the car after making our purchases, we discussed with Madysen the need to put the key in a secure place so as to not loose it and render the bank largely useless. Her immediate solution? She locked the bank and slid the key into the bank. Um, how does that work? Because I’m so easygoing and laid back, it was no big deal. We ended up taking the bank back to Big Fun where they let us use a key for another bank to open Madysen’s. I’m guessing here, but I figure that Madysen lost the key soon thereafter.

(It appears that Big Fun has an eBay store, though nothing beats the experience of actually visiting the shop.)

Update: Madysen, irritated that I posted this, told me that my recollection of the resolution was incorrect. It’s been changed.

[Originally posted February 21, 2008]