|
The Cat and Mouse Tails By Alexandria
Characters: Big Ears the Little Mouse, 10 years in mouse years Scratchy the Cat, 11 years in cat years
Setting: A living room in a 2 story house. The house is old, creaky, cold, with hard wood floors. Under the window is a couch, and to the left of the couch is the front door that is wide open. Movers are walking in and out with boxes filled with the left over items in the house. The living room is empty except for the couch. Time: 3:00 pm – Mid-afternoon. At Rise: Scratchy is quickly and quietly sneaking out the door without anyone noticing. Big Ears is under the couch.
(Thump)
BIG EARS (Stuttering) Where are you going?
SCRATCHY I’m leaving. I’m going to get out of here. If I stay any longer, I won’t have another chance to leave. I want to live outside with a Allure. I want to experience the outdoors with my love.
BIG EARS But what about our plan to get me adopted into the family! I hate this cold house and living in a hole in the wall. I want to live in a cage and be fed real food! Not just crumb on the floor or whatever I can find. You can’t just back out now at the last minute. The movers are nearly done with moving everything out of the house. Then it’s our time to shine when they come for the couch. You’ll play with me to grab the people’s attention when they come for the couch and the people will pick me up and want to save me from being attacked by you.
SCRATCHY I know we made a plan but I’ve been thinking…
BIG EARS (Interrupts) Yea, thinking about Allure…
SCRATCHY No. I’ve been thinking about the outdoors, the other cats, and okay maybe about Allure. But this is my chance, my only chance to make it out the door while no one sees.
BIG EARS But what about me! And our plan. I can’t believe you would betray our friendship and crush my hopes for some female cat! You don’t even know her and you are willing to abandon me, your best friend, your family! We’re like brothers. Does that mean anything to you?
SCRATCHY You mean a lot to me, but so does Allure. She loves me and I love her. I’ve thought a lot about this, and I know it hurts you but you need to understand.
BIG EARS Oh yea, I understand alright. You’re choosing to walk out this door this instant, leave me behind in this cold, old house and forget the plans we made. Great friend you are.
SCRATCHY I’m not discussing this anymore. My mind’s made up. You’re wasting my time. The moving people are going to see us arguing in the doorway. If they see us, they’ll kick me back inside the house and step on you in the process because you’re so small.
BIG EARS Oh, don’t be all big and tough on me. You’re just a house cat. You’ll never make it out there. You don’t even have any claws! Outdoor cats have long fierce claws. You just have stubs!
SCRATCHY They’ll grow…
BIG EARS You have to help me. I need you Scratchy. You are my best friend. If I ever need someone to depend on, I know I can depend on you. Think this through Scratchy. I know you will make the right choice. We cut your nails exactly for this moment. Without you I won’t be noticed by the people. If they see a mouse by himself they’ll scream. But if you play with me they’ll pick me up and feel sorry for me and will keep me.
SCRATCHY Oh Big Ears, I don’t know. I feel so stuck. I wish I didn’t have to choose.
BIG EARS You don’t have to choose. The answer is right here in this big house standing right next to you. Let’s do it, Scratchy. Let’s follow through. We’re in this together.
SCRATCHY I don’t know. Allure is waiting for me. I better go with her now. Oh no! The movers just kicked Allure off the lawn and they’re coming our way! They’re going to see us! Quick, run before they catch us by the door.
BIG EARS Now’s our chance.
SCRATCHY There went my chance!
BIG EARS Now’s our chance to carry out our plan! I’m going to have a home! I promise you Scratch, when we get to the new house there will be plenty of furry cats for you to meet. I hear there’s a back cat-door so you can sneak out into the outdoors. And don’t worry, I got your back. You don’t have to worry your little whiskers. |
