Shootout in the Toy Shop by Robert Sheckley. Short summary

5 seconds

While stalking a thief, a detective meets a sensible doll and falls in love with it. When the toy refuses to return his feelings, he smashes it.

1 minute

Toy store owner Mr. Conabi turns to private investigator Baxter — a doll was missing from his establishment. Then valuable parts began to disappear.

The detective decided to spend the night in the store and catch the criminal red-handed. He dozed off and heard some noises. The lights came on and the toys began to come to life.

A girl of incredible beauty appeared. Baxter guessed that she was the missing doll. The girl told him that when Mr. Conabi collected her, she came to life.

The doll hid in a mine and began to perfect herself. She was the one stealing the parts.

Baxter realized he was madly in love with the doll and asked her to run away with him. But the girl refused. She confessed that she loved Mr. Conabi.

The detective decided to take her away by force. The toys began to stand up for the doll, but he fractured them.

When he got to the beauty, he tore her head off in a rage. The doll died.