Francis, the cat, is in his house´s living room.

He´s pacing back and forth.

Something´s making him nervous.

The Pen comes along and as soon as “it” spots Francis, a huge grin fills “its” lips.

Pen: Hey there fur…
Cat (interrupting): where the hell have you been?
Pen (highly confused): I beg your pardon?

Cat: you don´t call, you don´t write. I was worried sick.
Pen: say what now?
Cat: where the heck have you been?

Pen: How´s that any of your business?
Cat: you just up and disappeared. I was worried sick!
Pen: Are you high on something?

Cat: Mock all you want. I was worried something might have happened to you.
Pen: Francis, answer me this, and please, do take your time. Are you very stoned?
Cat: say what now?

Pen: what´s gotten into you?
Cat: right! I don´t hear from you for days and I´m the one at fault?

The Pen is left speechless.

Cat (cont.): You´re not going to say anything?
Pen (tries): I…
Cat (irritated): say something!

Pen: Francis…?
Cat (interrupts): where have you been huh? And with whom?
Pen: Francis what the hell did you drink?
Cat (clueless): the usual. And don´t try and change the subject!

Francis nears the Pen.

The Pen recoils, slightly afraid.

Cat: I was so worried…
Pen (raises “eyebrows”): about what…?
Cat: You…
Pen: why?

Cat: I haven´t seen you in days… (sys)… I was afraid something might have happened to you.

The Pen opens “its” mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

Cat (anxious): say something!
Pen: Like what?
Cat: where did you go?

But before the Pen can answer.

Cat (cont./interrupts): Don´t do that again…
Pen (confused): do what?

Cat: disappear on me like that… (exhales loudly)… I´ll never admit this in front of another living being for as long as I live but, I missed you.

Francis nears the Pen and hugs “it”.

Pen (disgusted/in shock): Francis!
Cat: what?

The cat latches on.

Pen: let go of me!
Cat: only if you promise not to disappear on me again.
Pen: let go of me!

Francis pulls away.

Pen (disgusted): what the hell did you drink this time?
Cat: the usual…
Pen: you sure about that?
Cat: yes, but Pen…

Pen (interrupts): NO!
Cat: what?
Pen: No! Be quiet!

Francis is left starring at the Pen, almost tearful.

The Pen turns “its” back to Francis and glides away.

Pen (bitching): crazy cat!

The sad look on Francis´s face slowly turns into a huge grin.

Cat (breaks out laughing): Ha! Ha! Ha! Take that you stupid Pen!

The end!

2018_ Joana Teixeira

Cat:  Ha! Ha! Ha!