Aurora 2021 Mag

Maverick Schmidt

DOG

Why don’t we just lock the door?

CAT

It is locked.

DOG

Well what’s the point?

(CAT finishes circling the cage with garlic.) CAT

Now it isn’t going anywhere.

DOG

What do we do now?

CAT You wait here and keep watch. I’m going to sleep.

(DOG plops down and watches the cage. CAT stretches and exits. DOG shifts positions as lights rise and fall to indicate the passage of time. DOG yawns and stretches.) DOG

Aye-aye-aye. I’m starving…

(He straightens and examines inside the cage.) Hm... well it doesn’t look like you’ve escaped. (He peers in closer.) My goodness, you don’t look good at all. What’s the matter?

(THE BEAST looks up and meets DOG’s eyes. It turns its head and looks around at the garlic lining the floor.) Oh, poor thing. I’m sorry about all that, but you know how it is. (THE BEAST cocks its head.) Well, you know… it’s just that I have to protect my family. It’s nothing personal, I’m sure you understand. (THE BEAST stares at DOG for a moment before turning its back.) Look, I’m sorry. But Cat is right, you know? I can’t risk my family being hurt, it’s as simple as that. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. (THE BEAST turns back and slides back towards DOG, who flinches. It slides a paw past the bars. DOG looks at it, then back to THE BEAST, still holding a paw.)

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