Charlotte Maria

Charlotte Maria is a theater student hired by the Parker parents to test whether their children are ready to stay home alone. Posing as Maria, a cheerful English nanny, she agrees to nearly everything Olivia, Matthew, and Camilla request. The children choose fried bananas, start a food fight, spray dishes across the yard, and watch a frightening movie. Charlotte remains calm even when Bruno the Great Dane races indoors and a frying pan catches fire, which she quickly smothers. When the parents return, she drops the accent and reveals the experiment. Her performance gives the children enough freedom to expose their own poor judgment, showing them that growing older does not automatically produce responsibility.