"Just slip the key in his back and crank it 'round to wind him up," said the salesman. As he spoke he performed the action on the quarter-height man on the counter.
"For how long?"
"You'll feel when it's right. It'll be a lot harder to keep going and impossible after a certain point. But you'll also know because that's when he starts talking."
His eyes popped open, revealing a dark brown color and his neck swiveled until Alice was in his view.
"Back in my day we had to make do with one toy each... And that toy was a lump of rock!"
Alice clapped her delight at the sentence.
"Oh, how darling. He's just like the real thing, isn't he?"
"Oh yes, have a listen. Grandpa, tell me about school."
"We had to walk there, uphill both ways. And we were grateful for it! Not like the kids these days."
Alice ran an admiring finger through the tiny man's shock of wiry grey hair. His face crumpled in annoyance, though it was hard to discern through all the wrinkles.
"How to I store him when I don't need him?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, that's not an option with this model," admitted the salesman. "Once he's wound up he keeps going until he's done."