Bed Time

“Meow. Me-ow!” Dobby calls.

“Yes Dobby. What is it Kitty?” Writer Lady asks.

“Time for bed.” Dobby says.

“No it's not.”

“Yes it is.”

“No. It's not.” Writer Lady argues.

“Yes it is! Yeow! Now! Let's go.” Dobby orders.

“I'm the human, I'm the grown-up, I'm the mama and you can't make me.” Writer Lady says sticking her tongue out.

“Yes I can.” Dobby says.

“No you can't. I haven't written the new post for the blog yet.”

“Okay fine.” Dobby says pacing across the floor in High Command. “Just get your work done it's time to sleep.”

“It's writing kitty. Creative writing. I can't just crank it out. This isn't fast food.  I need to be in a comfortable space. There needs to be positive energy. You are not being positive. I can smell your breath from here. Go use some mouthwash. Please.”

Dobby leaves the room. He waits twenty minutes and peeks into the room to see what's going on. Writer Lady is sashaying around the room in her robe singing into a hairbrush and dancing to “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys. TP is running the laser show.

“So...Mom. How's it going?” Dobby asks.

The lights come up and Writer Lady is sitting back in the Big Writing Chair.

“Just fine Sweet Pea.” Writer Lady answers typing away. “I'm almost done.”

“You know Mom, you might get more done if you didn't dance around so much.”

“Probably, it's good exercise though.”

“It's not time to exercise. It's time to sleep. I know your schedule.”

“How can staying up be a bad thing? I'm having so much fun.”

“Just wait.” Dobby says, curling up on the floor and settling himself in for a long wait.

Writer Lady writes and dances. Dances and writes. She sings badly. So very badly.

Just as Dobby's internal alarm is about to drive him completely crazy Writer Lady says, “Okay Kitty. That's it. I'm done.”

“Would you just look at that clock? It's ten-thirty! I just don't know what I'm going to do with you. Get ready for bed. Never mind. TP will fix this."

“Silly cat.” TP's giggling is heard in the back ground. Writer Lady is suddenly in her nightgown, teeth brushed, flossed, and ready for bed. She climbs into bed and makes herself comfortable as she picks up a book. Dobby waits a moment and curls up in the crook of her right arm.

“Okay now where were we?” Dobby asks.

Writer Lady starts reading aloud.

Where's The Gravy?

It's early morning and Writer Lady stands over Dobby in the kitchen in her nightgown, pouring fresh kibble in his food dish and giving him fresh water. Dobby looks at the bowl without eating.

“There you go sweet pea.” Writer Lady bends over to pet Dobby.

“Forget something?” Dobby asks.

“Do you want a belly rub this morning?” Dobby glares. “I didn't forget anything. Sorry kitty. It's breakfast.” Writer Lady answers standing up to full height and proceeding to walk away.

“It's Thanksgiving!” Dobby call after her.

Stopping in her tracks, Writer Lady rubs her hands over her eyes to wake up more. Turning around she says “Of course, Dobby. What was I thinking? Happy Thanksgiving.” Writer Lady says and leaves the kitchen.

Dobby finds her in bedroom putting on her exercise clothes. “It's Thanksgiving. I'm your kitty, your sweet pea, your baby. Where's the gravy?”

“What?”

“Where's the gravy?” Dobby repeats.

Writer Lady stares at him with a blank expression.

“I'm the cat. I love you. I snuggle you. I have to smell your farts all year long. I deserve special food too. So...what do I get?” Dobby says.

Writer Lady pets him thoroughly, rubs her head against his and says, “Thanks so much. I am grateful and lucky to have you in my life.”

“That's it?” Dobby asks.

“Dobby you get too much people food. You are still healthy now but you beg way too much. You have to learn healthier habits just like I do.” Writer Lady answers taking her weights out.

Dobby pouts.

“Seriously kitty, every time I have something in a bowl you beg. You beg for anything now.”

“Dairy and meat. Ice cream, yogurt, Parmesan cheese. Just the essentials.”

“Popcorn, scrambled eggs.” Writer Lady continues the list, stopping what she is doing to say. “Vegetable soup. Last night you begged for vegetable soup.”

“I like to play with the pasta shapes?” Dobby offers. The ginger tabby thinks for a minute and says. “I was feeling constipated. Yeah that's it. I'm irregular, Mom.”

“People food is not for kitties it's for people.”

“I think you are developing an addiction. I won't have you addicted to anything else. Catnip is enough. Let me finish exercising, please. I want to be at Grandma and Grandpa's by ten-thirty.”

Several hours pass while Writer Lady gets cleaned up and ready to go.

“Okay Dobby. I'm going.” Writer Lady walks over to Dobby who is laying on the back of the couch. She reaches out to pet him and he moves away. “No pet. No purr, no nuzzle?” Dobby glares back at her.

“She leaves me alone on Thanksgiving without any goodies and she wants love?” Dobby mutters to himself.

Writer Lady grabs her stuff and locking the door behind her leaves the house. Two minutes later she comes back in cussing under her breath. Taking a plastic container out of the kitchen cabinet she says, “This is for gravy. GRA-VY! Happy?”

Dobby blinks contentedly as Writer Lady stomps out of the house.

That my fellow felines is how you train your human.

Technical Difficulties

Dobby enters High Command finding Writer Lady in the Big Writing Chair. But not writing.

“Mom? Mooom?” Dobby says rubbing his head against Writer Lady's arm. “What's wrong? You aren't writing anything.”

“I know kitty.”

“Are you sad?”

“No.” Writer Lady says.

“Then what's wrong?” Dobby asks.

“Nothing. I have nothing on my mind.”

“You aren't thinking about anything?” Dobby asks.

“Not a thing.”

“There isn't a passing thought?” He continues.

“Nope.” Writer Lady answers.

“Are you sure?” Dobby asks.

“You can check if you like.” Writer Lady says.

Snapping his fingers Dobby produces a magical brain opener. A wee bit of a can opener if you will. As the opener makes a line around the circumference of Writer Lady's head, a sparkling line appears twinkling and glittering around her.

Dobby puts away the brain opener. “I hope no one tries this at home.”

Writer Lady makes a querying noise.

“It only works for me. To open up your head.” Dobby says.

“Okay.” Writer Lady says. “Wait. So you've done this before?”

“Just a bit of rewiring.”

“You're a cat. How do you know what you're doing?”

“Trial and error.” Dobby says, lifting the lid and taking a peek.

“Great.” Writer Lady says. “How many times have you done this anyway?”

“Um...three.” Dobby answers.

“Three other times?” Writer Lady exclaims.

“No, two other times. This is number three.” Dobby corrects.

“Are you sure? I feel like we may have done this before.”

“Nope this is the first time.” Dobby says. “I have found the problem.”

“What?”

“I didn't know the human brain could do this.”

Writer Lady pales, swallowing in fear.

“Oh...how is it you're still breathing?”

“Oh dear...” Writer Lady exclaims her heart rate rising. “Dobby kitty I love you. Stop beating around the bush and tell me straight.” Writer Lady's speech is slow and labored as she works to steady herself and keep from hyperventilating. “What's happened?”

“Half of your processing neurons have blown out. Overstimulated somehow.” Dobby leans in with the Big Red Flashlight and takes a look. “I'm not sure what could have caused this. Wait a minute...” Dobby reaches in with a set of tweezers and pulls out a moth. “Here's the problem.”

Dobby shows Writer Lady the moth that is trapped in the tweezers. “Hold onto this Mom. So I can close up.” Dobby sets Writer Lady's head back into place and runs his paw along the opening to cauterize it back shut.

“How can a moth overload half of my brain like that?” Writer Lady holds the moth up close to study it.

Dobby reaches to carefully take the tweezers from her. “Well you know all the fluttering. Those wings move really fast. All that monitor man business and then if the moth was in the same spot at the same time...blow out.”

Writer Lady has blank look on her face, she is trying to absorb this um...explanation. “Really? That doesn't sound right to me.”

“Try this then. Think about hot cocoa and only hot cocoa until I say stop. When I say stop I bet you'll feel like your old self. Have all kinds of thoughts lighting that brain right up. “You have to close your eyes...start...NOW.” Dobby reaches for a book, releases the moth and smashes the moth on the word “NOW”. Picking up the dead moth Dobby inspects the circuit board inside to make sure nothing is lighting up on it. He takes it and puts it in the trash.

“How do you feel now Mom?”

“Wonderful. It almost like someone flipped a switch on.”

“Or maybe even off.” TP bellows in the background.

“So do you think you can write now?” Dobby asks. His answer is the familiar tap, tap, tap on the keyboard.

Appearing next to Dobby's ear TP says, “You got lucky that time. I told you not to abuse that remote control.”

“I got treats. Every time I pressed the button she smiled and gave me a treat. I kept trying to get catnip. Every time I asked for catnip I also got a treat. I don't know why.”

“Because she thinks it's wrong to contribute to your catnip addiction. Those remotes don't work against someone's moral compass. You had to try to manipulate her anyway. You abused it and you nearly fried her brain. I never should have helped you.”

“TP it's been through a lot worse. Seriously. I have been poking around in her head a lot. Her brain is like brand new play-doh. So soft. It's hard to leave alone. And the smell...”

“I should have made friends with the dog down the street. Dogs don't do these things.” TP says in frustration.

“Dogs aren't nearly as interesting either.”

Out Of Their Gourds

“Mom. Mooom!” Dobby calls out walking in to the kitchen.

“Yes kitty.” Writer Lady answers, she is standing in front of the island studying the two bright green and yellow gourds she bought in October for Fall decoration.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm trying to figure out what to do with these gourds now that Halloween is over.  I picked these up because they looked so alien to me.  Like something was going spring forth without warning and destroy us all.” Writer Lady says picking one of the gourds up and displaying it in her hand. Bending over she held it close to Dobby so he could get a better look. “See it almost appears to have strange claw like tendrils. There are these wart like growths on it too.”

Dobby sniffs at it for a minute. A strange pulsating is coming off of the gourd. “That's interesting. Maybe you should put that down now.”

Writer Lady returns the gourd to the top of the kitchen island. Dobby rubs his head against her ankle in approval. “I still don't know what to do with it now,” Writer Lady says chewing on a nail.

“Taking your hand that was touching that thing out of your mouth is a good start.”

“Oh yeah. It's time for supper anyway,” she says turning her attention away from the gourds and to heating up some leftovers. Supper is spent at the computer, getting started with the new post. Writer Lady eats, read, clicks, eats, reads and clicks.

“Watch it kitty.” Writer Lady says reminding Dobby to keep his head out of her food. The ginger tabby sniffs at the contents of Writer Lady's plate, pulling his head away quickly. “What have I told you about getting between me and my food?”

“Don't worry Mom. Not a problem.” Dobby says. Studying the pasty orange blobs on Writer Lady's dinner plate. “I'm not sure you should eat those.”

“It's fine Dobby. Those are sweet potatoes.”

“No they aren't.” Dobby says.

“Yes they are.” Writer Lady says eating a chunk of the creepy concoction.

“No they aren't. Not anymore.”

“What do you mean not anymore?” Writer Lady asks.

“Those gourds of yours contaminated them.”

“Did not,” Writer Lady says.

“Did too.”

“Did not!” She counters.

“When you showed me the gourd it was pulsating. Your sweet potatoes look disgusting. Where are you storing your sweet potatoes?”

Studying Dobby's face for a moment, Writer Lady jumps out of Big Writing Chair turning it over and runs in to the kitchen. Dobby follows. “There are the gourds on the island. The sweet potatoes aren't on the island. They are sitting on the cabinet. See it's fine kitty.”

“The sweet potatoes may be sitting on another cabinet but look at what level they are at.”

“The same one?” Writer Lady asks.

“Those gourds are pulsating. The alien energy coming from those gourds could travel right over to your uncooked potatoes. Contaminating them!”

“The bread machine is in the way. So there.” Writer Lady argues.

“Mom...Alien energy? All that alien stuff can travel in any direction it wants to.”

“Okay fine. I'm tired. Whatever you say. Aliens have destroyed my dinner. Can I go now?”

“Okay...you're not going to be feeling very well when that alien spawn explodes from your girl parts.”

“What?” Writer Lady asks turning around.

“Classic story Mom. Aliens, alien disease or alien technology disguises itself as something harmless or lovable and then finds some subtle way to reproduce itself. Springing forth from some poor unsuspecting human in the most disgusting way possible.”

“It's not going to work right now. It's that time.” Writer Lady announces grinning. “I'll just toss out the gourds, the bread machine and all the potatoes. Problem solved.”

“For you maybe. What about all of those other unsuspecting humans?”

“I'm sure they will love their new alien gourds as much as any baby?”

“ What will you do next year? When the gourds are in the produce aisle again?” Dobby asks.

Writer Lady goes to the dry erase board on the refrigerator and writes. “NO FRESH PRODUCE IN OCTOBER” in big bold letters. “Done.” She says.

Dobby shakes his head in shame and disappointment.

“Dobby, what's wrong?” Tinkletoes asks entering the kitchen after letting himself in.

“Mom will never learn.”

Tinkletoes looks at Writer Lady. Writer Lady shrugs. “Dobby thinks these decorative gourds I bought are pulsating. They must be aliens. The aliens contaminated my sweet potatoes which I cooked, ate and now I'm impregnated with some alien because of the food. I don't know where he gets this stuff.”

Tinkletoes shrugs as well.

Clearing her throat, Writer Lady asks Tinkletoes “Do you have something for me?”

“Um...yeah.” He mutters, handing her a paper bag. “I don't know what the big deal is.”

Writer Lady peers into the bag. “Excuse me, first this isn't my brand. Second, you forgot the Supers and third you did this to yourself. Never touch a woman's feminine products. Sanitary napkins are never toys. Possibly first aid for covering wounds in an apocalypse but never toys.”

Tinkletoes looks down at the floor. “Yes ma'am. Don't worry. I never want to see that aisle again.”

“I hope you never have to just as soon as you take these back and get me what I asked for.” Writer Lady says.

“You won't budge will you?” Tinkletoes asks.

“You play you pay soldier boy.”

“I'll give you everything I have in my wallet just don't send me back there. Please.”

“If I don't send you back how can I be sure you learned anything?” Writer Lady asks.

Tinkletoes leans in and lowers his voice. “I kind of had trouble at the pharmacy. I got confused and scared in that aisle. I'm not allowed back at that store unaccompanied by a responsible adult.”

Writer Lady smiles. Stepping away from Tinkletoes, “Well then, it sounds like you learned your lesson. Give me fifty dollars and you're off the hook.”

“What's in the bag only cost twenty.”

“Inflation?”

“More like extortion.”

“If you'd like to go back to the store yourself...”

“Fifty's fine. Here you go.”

“Got things worked out?” Dobby asks impatiently.

“Yes. You two can go play now.”

Tinkletoes heads into the living room in search of video games. As Tinkletoes settles in to save the world so does Dobby.

“So...um. How do we save Mom?”

“From what?” Tinkletoes asks not looking away from the TV.

“Alien insemination.”

Tinkletoes pauses the game and takes a closer look at Writer Lady.

“No self respecting alien would get that close. Too much work. Aliens have a limited window of time. A woman like that takes way too long.” Tinkletoes continues with his game. “Besides gourds don't impregnate humans they look for lower life forms preferably other plant life to mate with or a less advanced animal species. I wouldn't worry about your mom. I'd keep the gourds away from these other house plants. Don't sit too close to that big aloe vera behind us. You just never know.”

Finding Trouble (Orig. Posted on Twitter Nov. 11, 2013)

“Once upon a time...Okay Dobby now what?” Writer Lady asks.
“Now what, what?”
“What comes next?”
“I don't know. I thought you knew.”
“If I knew a story I wanted to tell I wouldn't have asked you to tell me a story.” Writer Lady answers.
“You are the Writer Lady. It's your job to have a story.”
"Not every day."

"Yeah! It kind of is." Dobby answers.
"Okay so refresh my memory. I do this, why?"
Dobby lets out a sigh and wanders over to big dark closet in the far corner of High Command.
Rustling sounds can be heard and fairly soon objects come flying out of the closet, many of them bouncing off of Writer Lady's head.
Throw pillows, linens, empty mesh hampers, winter socks. Papers, oh the papers.
Dobby comes out of the closet holding a beat up Memo book. Writer Lady scribbles in those, just so you know...she has one all of the time so if you have a conversation and then she scrambles away to scribble...u may become part of a character just sayin'.
Dobby comes out of the closet (WL giggles) clearing his throat and reading.
"Sept. 2010 -- I may have stumbled on one of the main reasons I write. My mind seems to always be overflowing with all of this stuff. Creative, funny, colorful stuff.  If I don't write this crap down I'll never get any sleep ever again. It keeps me out of the bars too."Dobby clears his throat. "So Mom it would appear that you write so you don't sleep in bars anymore."
"Wait a minute...that statement would indicate that I used to sleep in bars at one time. I think I would remember that.  I don't think they really make bars big enough for a person to climb in and go to sleep."

 "Isn't there an expression about climbing in the bottle?"  Dobby asks.
"Yes, Dobby but that's just an expression. I don't fall asleep inside giant bars. I love you kitty but I'm just not buying it.  I was saying I write because I have to. I can't let this stuff just keep flying around inside my head. It also is fun, entertaining...keeps me out of trouble...most of the time."
"Which reminds me..."  Dobby brings Writer Lady the mail.
"Another letter from PETA? Seriously? This says that I am not providing a stable home for you because of all the characters that have moved in with us. The letter also says that Tinkletoes is a bad influence on you. I should never have let him in the house." She looks at Dobby. "Did you tell them that I never let him in the house? He's your friend. I still haven't figured out how you learned to unlock the door."
"I didn't Mom. Tinkletoes knows how to pick locks."
"He picks locks? What else can he do that I don't know about?"
"Do you know about the light sabers?" Dobby asks.
"Yes."
"Do you know about the lock picking?"  Dobby asks.
"Now I do."
"Do you know about the guns, knives and ammo?"
"Yes. I don't like it but yes I know about that stuff."
"Do you know he's been taking your clean feminine napkins and making paper animals with them?"  Dobby asks.
"Really?"  Writer Lady asks crossing her eyes and biting her bottom lip hard to keep from laughing.
Dobby nods.
"You're sure of this?"
"We played "Wild Country Safari" last week while you were at work." Dobby answers.
Writer Lady goes into the bathroom and turns on the light. Opens the bathroom cabinet. "Are you sure? Nothing looks different kitty. Wait a sec. There is writing on this bag." Writer Lady says pulling a bag out of the vanity.
Wild Kuntree Safaree Don't Touch.  Is written on the bag of pads in permanent marker.
Writer Lady reaches in to the bag and pulls out...everything. All the animals are stuck to her hand. "Dobby kitty what is this?" Dobby walks over to Writer Lady's hand to get a good look.
"Giraffe, elephant, lion and a gazelle. You could probably still use the giraffe and elephant on light days. The gazelle too?"
Writer Lady shakes her head. "Nope too horney."  Writer Lady reaches into the cabinet for another bag of feminine napkins.  Buggy Science Stuf the bag reads.
"Look before you touch that one Mom."  Dobby warns.
Writer Lady peers into the bag.  "Gross! What is that?"
"We were bug specialists that day. So we used the sticky side of the pads like fly paper."  Dobby says.
Writer Lady starts reaching into the cabinet and pulls out all the bags of feminine napkins.
"What were you doing that day?" she asks.
"Making hats."
"This day?" She asks, holding up another bag. "This one stinks."
"Feeding the dragon different things and seeing how it changed his poop. Don't get too close to the chips and salsa one. I'm still having nightmares." 

 Writer Lady holds up one last bag. 

 "More dragon poop."  Dobby answers.  "Once you give them beans, it's just over."

Dobby's Bored

“Dobby! Dobby kitty come here!” Writer Lady calls.

The ginger tabby opens one eye, raises his head, slowly standing and stretching out his entire body. After a couple of licks to his body Dobby jumps off the bed and makes his way into High Command.

“Whaaaaat?” Dobby yowls entering the room.

“Guess what?”

“What?” Dobby asks.

“This is so exciting. You'll never guess. I know you'll never guess.”

“WHAT?” Dobby asks again.

“Our blog has 80 posts! We started this a little over a year ago and we are almost to 100. Isn't that great?” Writer Lady asks.

“Sure Mom. Great.” Dobby answers returning to his bath.

“You don't sound very happy.” Writer Lady says.

“Of course I'm happy.” slurp

“You don't look very happy.” Writer Lady says.

“I'm totally happy Mom.” sluuuurp “We kick blogging ass. It's just...”

“It's just what?”

“I just thought that after all that work I went through to get endorsed at the con in the Land of Rising Bird, you know, more would be happening.”

“You went through?”

“Sorry Mom. You went through.”

“Patience dear kitty. Everything comes in it's own good time.”

“You do realize that 80 posts means 80 nights you didn't have a date?” Writer Lady pales and reddens at the embarrassment.

“Eighty nights you sat here alone in the house at the computer with nothing to do but talk to your cat and various other characters.”

Writer Lady stiffens a bit. “Everything comes in it's own good time. Besides, I have been having fun.” she answers smiling.

Cutting his bath short Dobby walks over to the Big Writing Chair and jumps in Writer Lady's lap. “Surfing the internet reading about everyone else's fun,” he says rubbing his face against hers.

“It's so nice to see that everyone is happy.” Writer Lady counters.

“Everyone's having fun except you. Millions of people all over the world—fun. You. Not so much.”

“Everything comes in it's own good time.” Writer says slowly in a very deep voice. “Don't push me kitty.” Writer Lady says, pulling up a new screen for Pinterest searching furiously for positive affirmations to fit the situation. Everything is going to be okay. Love yourself and you are never truly alone.

Dobby turns around to look at the screen, “Are those um...help-ing?”

“Bend over and I'll put one where the sun doesn't shine, I'm sure I'll feel lots better.” Writer Lady says through clenched teeth.

“Now see this is why you can't get a date.” Dobby points out.

Writer Lady growls.

“I told you it doesn't bother me. It only bothers you.”

“Actually what bothers me is that neither one of us is getting the love that we deserve.” Dobby says.

“You mean you aren't getting the admiration you are craving. Which is precisely why you aren't a big deal yet. You want it too badly.”

“Mom. It doesn't matter how badly I want it. I say it's time for the admiring to start. It needs to start already.” Dobby says.

“It's not gonna start until you forget about it.” Writer Lady sings.

“Mom please don't sing. It hurts everyone's ears.” Dobby sings back.

“At least I don't have butt breath.”

“Touch e Mom. Touch e.”

Dobby returns his attention back from the screen to Writer Lady. Rubbing his head against her forehead. “I was thinking. We need to change the blog a little bit.”

“How?”

“I'm thinking, some way cool stunts. Maybe some pyro technics?”

“Fireworks? Kitty those won't translate well with in the written word.” Writer Lady says. “I need more practice writing descriptions for that. Besides this is meant to be funny.”

“Way cool stunts then.” Dobby says.

“I don't think so.”

“Okay Mom so here's the problem. You aren't seeing anyone and you say it doesn't bother you. As long as this is true, we're running out of jokes.”

“No we aren't” Writer Lady says.

“Yes we are.”

Writer Lady shakes her head.

“Yes we are.” Dobby repeats.

“We need new characters, new surroundings, new problems, random men stopping by...something. Because frankly nothing much happens around here these days.”

“Speak for yourself. I have to say I see some pretty amazing stuff going on.”

“Like?”

“Well the alien that showed up suddenly last week disappeared.”

“Dead spider on wall. It fell off the wall a couple of days ago.”

“Not an alien?”

“No, Mom”

“Good now I can get back to sleep. Those night watches were killing me. I was out of aluminum foil too. No tin hat.”

“Okay Mom so what else?”

“Another alien left a strange slimy fungus in the shower. Every time I shower I risk my very life. Every day I have to decide...stink or die. Stink. Or Die.”

“Mom that was mold. You keep forgetting to scrub the tub.”

“Okay...I hate that job so much. That's why you know.”

Dobby sits on the computer table glaring at Mom. “Things are just bor-ing.”

“What about TP?” Writer Lady asks.

“What about TP” Dobby says.

“He has been making improvements around here. Beautiful work.”

Dobby looks closely around the room. Just below the pink lightsaber Writer Lady received for her birthday from Tinkletoes was a shelf. On that shelf, was a picture of a forest. Dobby walks over to the shelf and peers in.

“It's a picture of a forest.” Dobby says. Boring.

“That's not a picture kitty. That is an enchanted forest from Faerie. Take a closer look.”

Dobby stands up and leaning against the shelf peers in. The songs of frogs and crickets sound in his ears. Fireflies blink in and out of the cat's range of sight.

“Pretty isn't it?” Writer Lady says her back turned to it.

“Meh, kind of interesting.” Dobby says. A faint sound of running water can be heard in the background. Dobby sticks his head in as far as he can. The ginger cat spies TP climbing into a jacuzzi tub-- naked. Pixies are already cavorting in the tub giggling and chattering amongst themselves.

TP feels himself being watched and turns around. “Do you mind Dobby? Pixies only.”

The ginger cat's face reddens. “Sorry,” he says backing out as quickly as he can.

“Nice guy. A bit overly enthusiastic for a neutered male if you ask me.” TP can be heard commenting to the pixies.

“So kitty? Do you still think things are boring?” Writer Lady asks.

NAMASTE

                                              

“Mom?”

“In the living room kitty.” Writer Lady is in her exercise clothes sitting cross legged on a yoga mat, arms to her sides, hands resting on her thighs. Faint instructions can be heard coming from the television. Writer Lady lays down on her back with her knees bent. She raises her torso keeping her head on the floor. Dobby walks over to where Writer Lady's head is and climbs up on to her chest with his back to her.

“Dobby...move please.” Writer Lady says. Dobby turns around slowly to face her.

“What?”

“Get down kitty. You're on my chest. Can't breathe.”

“Mom, I love you so much.” Dobby says, rubbing his head against hers.

“I said, Move your ass.” Writer Lady reaches up and pushes the cat off of her boobs.

“Well. That was rude.” Dobby comments as Writer Lady collapses panting.

“Sorry kitty. But that was also painful. All twenty pounds of you was on my chest. I couldn't breathe. By the way, just so you know, boobs can't be moved around like they're your own personal pillows either.

“Well, not yours.”

“So. What is it you want?” Writer Lady asks.

“It's time to write.”

Looking at the clock Writer Lady says, “It's still early. We've got plenty of time. Let me finish stretching. I need to relax.”

Dobby walks around Writer Lady as she gets back into her pose and closes her eyes. She opens her eyes after feeling Dobby climb back on to her chest. Walking along her body to stand on her knees. Writer Lady collapses again.

“Dobby!”

“What?”

“I like this. I can see a lot from here. What do you call this?” Dobby asks.

“Bridge pose.”

“I like it.” Dobby says.

“If you like it. Why don't you try it?” Writer Lady asks.

“Are you going to be much longer?”

“If you let me finish it won't be long at all.”

“O—kay.” Dobby says. Backtracking up Writer Lady's body, sticking the end of his tail up her nose as he leaves.

Writer Lady is standing up when Dobby cat returns in a catsuit and a piece of an old blanket. Writer Lady does a double take when she sees the ginger tabby. “Dobby, what are you wearing?” she asks.

“Work out clothes.”

“That's a catsuit.” Writer Lady points out.

“It's really tight. Just like your clothes.”

“These are work out clothes, they're supposed to fit tight.” Writer Lady says.

“That's kind of what I just said Mom.” Dobby points out.

“Okay kitty. As long as you're comfortable.”

Writer Lady is standing tall. Feet hip width apart. Arms raised and parallel. She is stretching up.

Dobby imitates her. “So um...what's this called?”

“Mountain pose.”

Writer Lady hears giggling behind her to the left. “Looks nothing like a mountain. Silly humans.” Whispering commences.

“Now this is a mountain. Mom. Mom...look!”

Writer Lady turns to her left to find Dobby sitting on the floor with his legs crossed. The cat's arms are hanging down to the floor at an angle he appears wider at the bottom than at the top. TP is hovering a foot above the cat's head mirroring him.

“Yes. That's a mountain.” Writer Lady smiles and gets back to her stretching.

Now let's get into chair pose. The television says. Writer Lady complies. Dobby and TP look at Writer Lady in astonishment. Both cat and faerie attempt it. Neither like it.

Stand up out of chair pose and stretch.

Cat and faerie smile at each other glad it's over.

Let's do one more chair pose.

TP snaps his fingers and a chair appears between them. Each strike a pose next to their side of the chair. Sunglasses and pearly white teeth gleaming.

Excellent job everyone. Let's relax for a moment. Go to Downward Facing Dog pose.

Dobby and TP look at each other. Each lay down with their bellies on the floor and their feet sprawled out behind them in the back.

Writer Lady stands on her hands and tip toes. Bent in the middle with her head facing down.

Doesn't that feel wonderful?

Feeling happy and relaxed TP and Dobby pant like dogs.

Good. Stand up and move into Warrior 1.

Writer Lady demonstrates for them. The cat and the faerie like this pose. The phone rings and Writer Lady pauses the DVD. The moment she leaves the room. “En Garde” both yell simultaneously and start fighting with swords that appeared at the faerie's bidding along with musketeer hats.

Back to Downward Facing Dog. Let's try a yoga push-up.

Writer Lady straightens from Downward Facing Dog and moves to a Yoga push up. TP and Dobby just wait.

Downward Facing Dog.

Let's just sit down on your mat cross legged, close your eyes. Relax. Focus on your breathing.

“Slurp. Slurp. Sluuurp!” can be heard in the background. Writer Lady turns around to see Dobby and TP licking ice cream.

“What are you two doing?” Writer Lady asks.

“Yogurt Push-ups! Silly Lady.” TP giggles.

“This part is really boring Mom.” Dobby says with a slurp.

“That's because you aren't doing it. Meditation is very relaxing. Come over here and sit next to me. Try it for a minute. You'll see.”

Everyone settles down into a nice relaxing meditation.

Put your hands together in front of the heart. Na-mas-te.

“Now I'm Gonna Stay.” Dobby and TP respond.

The Saturday Night Before Halloween

“Mom what are you doing?” Dobby asks walking to High Command and stopping at a tall white boot.

“I'm working on the blog kitty. What else?” Writer Lady answers.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Dobby asks.

“Dressed like what?” Writer Lady looks at her clothes. “Oh that. Thursday is Halloween. It is going to be too cold to wear this while I'm handing out candy. I'm wearing it now. It's inspiring.”

“A British flag dress is inspiring?”

“It inspires me to keep having fun. Also, I have been trying really hard to stay this size all summer. Just for Halloween. I'm wearing it a second time.”

“What if someone finds out?”

“Who's going to find out?”

“What if someone comes to the door and sees you like that?”

“Who's going to come to the door?” Writer Lady asks. “Are you expecting anyone?”

Dobby shakes his head.

“I'm not expecting anyone either. So it's fine. You know what I need kitty. I need lipstick.” Writer Lady gets up and goes to the bathroom. Returning to the computer, “Besides I need a picture for the book cover.”

“You're going to look like that in public?” Dobby asks.

“Not in public. There will be a picture. It will be public.” Writer Lady answers and keeps typing.

“Are you sure that's a...” Dobby asks.

“What should we do tonight kitty? A poem. A song. We can call it “The Saturday Night Before Halloween”.

Dobby reaches out and gently places a paw on the top of her booted foot. “Mom. You can't sing. Please don't write a song.”

“To the tune of another song maybe. Bohemian Rhapsody?”

Dobby takes his paw and covers his eyes.

Writer Lady looks at Dobby, “No?”

“No.”

“Well crap. Now I don't know what to do.” Writer Lady gets up from the Big Writing Chair. She goes into the living room and sits down on the floor in meditation pose.

Dobby follows her.

“Mom.” Nothing. “Mom. MOM!”

“What kitty?” Writer Lady asks.

“You're sitting in the floor.”

“Yes I know. I'm trying to meditate. I'm blocked.”

“Aren't there pills for that?”

“No kitty. My creativity is blocked.”

“Mom. I hate to tell you this. But sitting like that isn't going to help.”

“Sometimes a writer has to suffer for their art.”

“Trust me Mom. You're not the one who is suffering.”

“No one is here except us. The skirt covers all of the private stuff. If you have a problem with it go to another room.”

Dobby leaves, the room falls silent and Writer Lady is free to meditate. She is beginning to relax when she feels something being pushed against her. Between her legs is a pillow.

“Dobby what are you doing?”

“Covering you up. Sitting cross legged in that dress isn't right Mom.”

“Dobby no one is here. It's okay.” Writer Lady grabs the pillow and thrusts it across the room nearly taking out a potted plant. Dobby ducks and runs away.

A few moments later a piece of foam board is leaning against her crossed legs. Opening her eyes, Writer Lady reads the sign which says:

Do Not Disterb

This woman is suffering for her art.

She is kind, caring and modest (most of the time).

She is not a SLUT.

I know how she's dressed and how she's sitting.

Seriously.

Not A SLUT.

Thank you for not disturbing her.

SIN-cerely Sister Margaret Mary Magdalin Katherine of the Cherch.

“Dobby please! I told you there is no one here. Let it go.”
 

“Okay. Fine. I'm letting it go. You're on your own.” Dobby leaves the living room muttering under his breath. “She calls me high maintenance.”

 

“Trick or Treats!” TP, a large group of faeries and assorted pixies all appear on the floor in front of Writer Lady. All staring where the sign used to be. A sharp intake of breath is heard by all.

“This isn't a very nice trick not at all,” one of the pixies say.

“Hehehe...Writer Lady is such a silly human.” TP says running up to the offending site, snapping his fingers using a faerie size billboard with a screaming zombie on it to hide everything.

“Did you see that?” Another pixie said. “Her panties did not match that dress at all.”

“What was that stretchy stuff over her panties?” she continued.

“Panty hose.” A faerie answers giggling. “Control top.”

“Everything is under control here!” Another faerie chimes in.

“I thought it was a human chastity belt.” A pixie whispers.

“No you have to be seeing someone to need one of those,” a faerie giggles.

“Oh!” Lots of giggling.

“Let's just move on to the next room. Lots of fun to come.”

“You said it TP we didn't.” Giggling all around.

“I'm wearing Control Top because it was all the store had. Not because I need it.” Writer Lady yells as the group leaves the living room.

TP looks at Writer Lady with disappointment. “Halloween is good clean fun you said. It's for the whole family to get together and have fun you said. I brought everyone here so they could see what a good human looks like. Why we shouldn't pick on you anymore.”

Writer Lady looks at the floor in embarrassment. “I'm sorry TP.”

“We'll talk about this in the morning. Go put on some clothes.” TP says.

“Okay.” Writer Lady stands up and pulls down her skirt as far as it will go. The bra pops out of the neckline. At least the girls are covered. She quickly and quietly heads into her bedroom to change.

TP snaps his fingers. The living room is back to normal. The faerie flies into High Command to meet up with Dobby and the rest of his group.

Dobby watches TP enter. “Did it work?”

“Silly kitty. Of course it worked.” TP turns to his friends. TP snaps again. The room is empty except for the faerie and the cat.

Out Of The Closet...Finally!

“Let me try something more traditional.” TP says to Monitor Man. He flies over to Writer Lady and flutters in her space.

“Surprise! It's sexy Monitor Man. Come on. Wake up! You've been panting after this guy for years now. Say something.” TP's ears light up and smoke starts billowing from the top of his head. Looking back at Monitor Man he says, “She was just looking at a picture of you this morning and you weren't wearing a shirt. Take something off maybe it will wake her up.”

“Take off my clothes? Do you know how much I hate taking those kinds of pictures? It's one of the things I love about what I'm doing now. I get to keep my clothes on.. Most of the time.” Monitor man answers.

“There aren't any cameras here. Take off your shirt you silly man.”

“No.”

“Loosen a couple of buttons.” TP suggests.

“No, she has to see me as I am and not as that shirtless guy she was drooling over this morning.”

“Shoes?”

“Shoes.” Monitor Man repeats. “I rarely go without shoes. I don't think it will help.”

“Pants?” TP asks.

“Nope, I'm not taking off my pants either.”

TP flutters over to a darkened corner of the closet does a spin and flies back over to Monitor Man as a voluptuous Marilyn Monroe in a tight evening dress. “Come on baby. Take it off. Take it all off” and puckers up.

“NO!” Monitor Man shouts.

“TP what have I told you about making inappropriate requests of people?” Writer Lady asks.

“Not too?” TP says.

“What else?”

TP spins furiously losing the blonde wig, make-up and evening dress. When the faerie stops spinning he is wearing a dated school uniform and a Dunce cap.

“Just because I'm from the land of Faerie doesn't mean I don't have to be nice. Keeping company with humans is different than other faeries. Humans require more manners. Especially strange humans.” TP looks at Monitor Man markedly with the word 'strange' and hangs his head in despair, pouting.

“A closet is no place for a guest. Let's get out of this closet. It's cramped and you're practically standing in the litter box.” Writer Lady says to Monitor Man.

Turning his head, Monitor Man sees the litter box on the floor behind him then at the back of his foot. “That was pretty close wasn't it? About the litter box, there's no smell. I didn't know it was even there.”

“TP enchanted Dobby's tail. If he swishes his tail over the litter the odors get neutralized.” Writer Lady says leading Monitor Man through the bonus room, laundry nook and into the kitchen. A pouting TP flutters into the kitchen behind them. “Can I get you something. Coffee? Pie maybe? You're working now aren't you? Are you allowed to eat pie when filming?”

“Pie?...Pie is always good. I'm not hungry right now. Could I take a rain check?” Monitor man asks.

“Sure.” Writer Lady says blushing a little at the thought of Monitor Man visiting at a future date.

“I have to ask you something.”

TP continues fluttering around them. Hanging on every word.

“Our little friend? He's acting a bit weird. I thought he was okay at first. All this talk about me taking off my clothes and fluttering so close by. Is he? Does he?”

“Have a crush on you?” Writer Lady asks.

Monitor man nods solemnly. “He's supposed to get me home before Monday.”

Writer Lady smiles and a gentle laugh escapes her. “No TP doesn't have a crush on you. If he did you would know.”

“Comes on strong, huh?. Like Kathy Bates in Misery?”

TP flutters away from Monitor Man and behind Writer Lady's shoulder so Monitor Man and can see him. A sledgehammer appears in his hands and the faerie strikes the air, a blood curdling scream sounds in Monitor Man's ears.

“I'm sorry what did you say?”

“When a faerie has a crush on a person they usually end up in a gilded birdcage wearing nothing but a bikini. A loincloth in your case. The cage is locked in a castle tower.”

“With a dragon?”

“No silly man. We freed the dragons eons ago.” TP giggles.

“I heard it was a rebellion.” Writer Lady says.

“Was not.” TP counters.

“That's not what I heard.” Writer Lady sings back. “Besides TP's last crush disappeared from our world and was never heard from again.”

“He was interesting until he became uninteresting.” TP says.

“What happened when he became uninteresting?” Monitor Man asks.

“It was time for him to go.” TP answers. Monitor Man pales considerably.

“Where did he go?” Monitor Man asks.

“You don't want to know.” Writer Lady says. “Besides the Fae don't behave that way anymore. Especially if they want any more cookies and cupcakes.”

“Okay TP leaves...NOW.” The faerie disappears in a wisp of smoke.

“Those must be some baked goods.” Monitor Man observes reaching out to touch the air TP just disappeared from.

“You have no idea.” Writer Lady says winking at Monitor Man who raises an eyebrow.

“I'm sorry I'm not better prepared for your visit. I wasn't expecting company.” Writer Lady says walking through the living room fluffing pillows and generally fussing.

Monitor Man follows her into the living room, walks over to Writer Lady holds her hands still in his and says, “You have a lovely home” looking deep into her eyes. “May I see the rest of it?”

Writer Lady grows quiet. For a moment Monitor Man wonders if she has frozen again. “Of course.”

The tour ends in High Command with a long talk about Dobby, TP, Tinkletoes, Furnatche and the rest. He has many questions about the book and Writer Lady is thrilled to answer them. She has many questions about him and his life. He answers them with every kindness. He asks to see the sexy picture on her computer and teases her a little for drooling over the man he was years ago.

“I hope you don't get mad. It doesn't seem like you to me at all. But overall it is a good picture. Should I ignore a good picture just because there is all that naked torso in the way?” Writer Lady asks.

“No I guess not. Would you mind if replaced that picture?” Monitor Man asks.

“On one condition, you have to be at your most comfortable when you take the picture.”

“You're on.” He answered.

Before he leaves they take a picture together. The visit ends with smiles all around. Writer Lady stands at the back door with Dobby. They watch TP and Monitor Man get into the invisible helicopter (TP enlarged the yard a bit and put down a helicopter pad, temporarily) and head West.

“Finally. I'm so glad that ya-hoo is gone.” Dobby says.

“I don't know, I think he might be back some day. If nothing else we made a new friend. It's always nice to make new friends.” Writer Lady says, watching the helicopter lift into the air as Monitor Man looks at the new picture on his cell phone and the helicopter flies away.

And...She's Not Moving.

“What is he still doing here? Dobby asks. “You were supposed to be putting him back.” Dobby sniffs at Writer Lady. She makes no movement to show the ginger cat attention. “I knew this was going to happen. You broke her.” Dobby says glaring at Monitor Man. “Who's going to feed me?”

“Relax. I didn't break her. She just isn't moving...a whole lot.” Monitor Man answers looking into Writer Lady's eyes. “Not so much as a blink. That's new.”

“So Monitor Man, you have seen this before.” TP asks holding on to the edges of his lapels.

“Yes I have. I have a solution too. When people freeze like this after they see me, what I usually do is say 'hello' to someone else and they snap out of it. Dobby if you will?”

“Will what?” Dobby asks.

“Be an example for you mother.” Monitor Man answers. “Say 'hello' to me and give me a hug. Your mother will relax. She and I can get to know each other.”

“I don't even like you. Get someone else.” Dobby snaps.

“Don't worry, I can handle this.” TP says to Monitor Man. TP flies over to hover near Dobby's shoulder. “Dobby, let's look at the evidence. Writer Lady is your mother. It's just you and her. If you don't help wake her up no one will feed you again—ever.”

“You would feed me.” Dobby says to TP.

“You're okay for a cat. But you're really spoiled and high maintenance. If something happened to Writer Lady, my ass is out of here.” TP explains.

“What about?” Dobby asks.

“Tinkletoes? He went to a cupcake expo again this weekend. He is talking about taking jobs near the new cupcake district they are building in Montana. Or was it North Dakota?”

“I know. Furnatche will help me. We're practically bros.”

“If Writer Lady stays like this forever, the characters just become words on a page. They can't help you.”

Dobby looks at TP, then at Writer Lady. The cat reaches up and gently touches Writer Lady on the leg, “Mom?” Dobby's eyes tear up.

“Of course you do have another option.” TP says. “You could live with...Grandma.”

“NOOOOOOOOO!” Dobby howls with despair.

“Then you must help Monitor Man.” TP says nodding.

Dobby nods and glares at TP. Glares at Monitor Man.

“Okay. Let me set the scene for you.” Monitor Man says kneeling down to talk to Dobby. Monitor Man looks closely at Writer Lady then looks at where he and Dobby are. “Let's scoot in a little closer to your mom.” Monitor Man puts his hands on either side of Dobby's shoulders to guide the cat over to a new spot.

“You're touching me.” Dobby growls. “Mom doesn't even touch me much.”

Monitor Man pales for a moment. “Sorry. I'm just trying to line us up. That way she will see us clearly when her eyes start to focus again.”

“You really should be more careful when you talk to people.” Dobby says.

“You're kidding me right? I didn't do this on purpose.”

“You've done it before.” Dobby says accusingly.

“A few times.” Monitor Man says looking at Writer Lady in her frozen state. “They don't warn you about this in Hollywood. The paparazzi yes. The women tearing at your clothes yes. Not this. Never this.”

“Actors have their problems too.” Dobby says. “I guess.”

“Ready?” Monitor Man asks.

“Ready.” Dobby says.

“I have been ready forever. I have a date tonight so let's finish this.” TP says.

“Faeries date?” Monitor Man asks.

“I thought all faeries were male.” Dobby says.

“We are. But we sure do love to play with those pixies. Feisty little things they are.” TP says. (he giggles)

Dobby and Monitor Man look at each other. They don't want to know what TP has been doing with those pixies.

“So Dobby. Go back a little bit. Walk up to me. Look at me adoringly. We'll go from there.” Monitor Man instructs.

“Of all the...stupid...ridiculous...he is so annoying.” Dobby mutters walking over to his starting spot. “I'm not touching you...you big hairless weirdo.”

Dobby walks over to Monitor Man. Looks up and glares.

“That's looking at me adoringly?” Monitor Man asks looking at TP.

“He's a cat. You're lucky to get this much.” TP answers.

“Well hello.” Monitor Man says with his super friendly smile. “How are you today?”

Dobby mutters.

“It's nice to meet you Dobby.” Monitor Man says with an even larger warmer smile.

Dobby rolls his eyes. Big.

“It's so nice to meet you too. You are the greatest, most wonderful yummiest actor ever. I just want to eat you up.” TP's voice comes out of Dobby's mouth.

“Thank you. That's so nice of you to say. Would you like an autograph?” Monitor Man says.

“Yes. Please on one of my incredibly voluptuous breasts.” TP says.

Dobby's eyes enlarge. “No way! Not happening.” Dobby turns to go.

“What's wrong?” TP asks.

“I have eight nipples!” Dobby looks at Monitor Man, “You can't see any of them.”

“Dobby this is just role playing so Writer Lady will wake up. I was just trying to make it sound realistic. Saying things a woman might say. Things Writer Lady would say.” TP explains.

“I wouldn't say that. Mom wouldn't either. No one is touching any boobs or nipples anywhere in this closet. EVER.”  Turning, Dobby leaves the closet.

“This is never going to work.” TP says. Monitor Man quietly nods in agreement.

Stuck In The Closet

 

Dobby turns around and is nose to shin with Monitor Man. “TP I'm going to see Mom. I'll keep her out of this part of the house.” Dobby looks up at Monitor Man. “Stay Here. No checking Mom out, you're not staying.”

Monitor Man waits until Dobby exits the utility closet and slides open the closet door enough to get a look at Writer Lady. He watches her cross to Dobby's bowls and feed him.

“There you are kitty. I was worried about you. How's my best guy?” Writer Lady starts to reach down and pet Dobby.

His tail twitches briefly, “Come on Mom. I'm eating.”

“I'm sorry. You're so handsome I forget the rules sometimes.” Writer Lady apologizes.

“You forget every day, Mom. You might be getting old timers.” Dobby says between bites.

“Sweetie you mean Alzheimer's.”

Monitor Man watches and listens. “She talks to the cat like it's a person. He answers back. They understand each other. She is pretty though. I don't know if I can get past the talking to the cat thing.”

TP spins around, changing into his Clarence Darrow costume complete with comb over. The faerie clears his throat, “May I remind you sir, that you have also been conversing with the cat. You also spent four hours in an invisible helicopter with a faerie, a magical creature that isn't supposed to exist? You also talked the whole time.”

“I was nervous riding in an invisible helicopter. I was making conversation, keeping my mind off of what was happening around me.” Monitor Man answers.

“You invited me to your place for your annual New Year's Eve blow out and thanked me profusely for befriending you. You said quote, 'You, TP are the coolest, most interesting friend I have. I love you man.'”

“I say 'I love you' like other people say 'Hello'. It meant nothing.”

“You also asked me if I wanted to be 'Bros'. When I questioned the meaning of bros you asked me if I was interested in starting a(TP coughs) bromance. I thought you liked women?”

“I do. I love women. You still don't get what I mean by bromance.” Monitor Man answers.

“Be aware, sir that your hands are not clean in this. If our dear sweet Writer Lady is crazy then so are you. At least she doesn't get kinky.” TP says.

“I wasn't getting kinky with you.”

“How do I know you weren't getting kinky with me?” TP asks.

“I was too busy checking out her butt.” Monitor Man answers gesturing towards the room Writer Lady is in.

“So...(TP coughs) you admit that you intend to get kinky with our dear, sweet Writer Lady.”

Monitor Man pales, TP has backed him into a corner. Using the skills he developed after years in the public eye he quietly answers, “No Comment.” The closet grows quiet. Neither TP nor Monitor Man know what to say next. Monitor Man crosses the room to stand close to TP, and makes an appeal, “If anyone had ever told me someday I would meet a real magical creature...”

“Being...magical being.” TP corrects.

“magical being. I would have said 'No way' faeries,they aren't real. Then I met you. You brought me here. I am here in the middle of...”

“Illinois”

“Right Illinoise.”

“It's Illinoi.  The "s" is silent."  TP says correcting Monitor Man.

“Okay, in Illinoi. I am away from everything I know. The city, the crowds, the press. It's very nice. But I'm also hiding in a utility closet. There is a sweet, lovely woman just outside this door. I can't even talk to her. Do you know how long it's been since I've had a quiet conversation with a nice woman in a private setting? TP. You found me, befriended me and brought me all the way out here to meet her. Please let me meet her.”

“Dobby says “No”. She can't keep you.”

“Of course she can't keep me. I have a life, far away from here. Besides kept men are really boring. I know a few. Models mostly.”

“So what will happen if I introduce you to her?”

“I would say “hello” and talk to her. That's it.”

“How do I know you won't come on to her too?”

“I told you, I wasn't coming on to you!”

“But you said you loved me!” TP wails.

“TP what did I tell you about watching television? Keep the volume down.” Writer Lady says entering the utility closet, smiling. “I don't know what you're doing in this utility closet watching TV anyway.” 

Writer Lady sees him.

“Hi.” Monitor Man says.

Writer Lady stands there. Frozen.