He arranged several cars along an imaginary starting line.
Then he began announcing the race in a dramatic voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the championship!"
His mother smiled faintly.
Carlos continued looking at his phone.
Mateo was not discouraged.
He introduced each vehicle as though it belonged to a famous racing team.
One car was driven by a superhero.
Another was controlled by a talking banana.
A third belonged to a secret agent who was afraid of butterflies.
The race began.
Mateo pushed the cars across the carpet, providing engine noises, dramatic commentary, and exaggerated sound effects.
Then one of the vehicles went too fast.
It struck the edge of a cushion, bounced sideways, and disappeared beneath a pile of pillows.
Mateo froze.
He stared at the pillows as if he had witnessed a terrible disaster.
"The car is missing!" he announced.
Nobody responded immediately.
So he increased the drama.
