[During recess at school, Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz and other kids are outside, standing beside the flagpole]
You're full of beans, and so is your old man.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah!
Says who?
Says me!
Oh, yeah?
Yeah!
Well, I double-dare ya!
[narrating]
The exact exchange and nuance of phrase in this ritual is very important.
Huh! Are you kidding? Stick my tongue to that stupid pole? That's dumb.
That's 'cause you know it'll stick!
You're full of it!
Oh, yeah?
Yeah!
Well I double dog-dare ya!
[narrating]
NOW it was serious. A double dog-dare. What else was left but a "triple-dare you"? And finally, the coup de grace of all dares, the sinister triple dog-dare.
[over narrator's voice]
This guy's really dumb.
I triple dog-dare ya! [Flick's smile turns to shock as it goes silent. Ralphie looks on shocked.]
[narrating]
Hmm. Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple-dare and going right for the throat!
All right, all right.
[tongue out]
I'm goin', I'm goin'!
[narrating]
Flick's spine stiffened, his lips curled in a defiant sneer. There was no going back now.
[puts his tongue on pole]
This is nothin'. [tries to pull off, but can't and realizes Schwartz was right.] Stuck? Stuck?! STUCK! STUCK! [he starts screaming and bawling at the top of his lungs in pain]
Jeez! It really works! Look at him!
[the school bell rings and the students run back to the school except Flick, who keeps bawling]
Ralphie, come back! Come back! Don't leave me, come back!
But the bell rang!
Well, what are we gonna do?!
Don't leave me, come back! Come back, come back! [he bawls as he is still stuck to the pole]
