Nathan Dennies 11/29/12 The Cat Oh that poor baby! Someone get it down! Oh, that poor baby!

I heard the old lady screaming while I was sitting on the toilet. I can hear everything going on outside from my toilet. Years ago I went on a tour of the Capitol Building and the guide told me about a special spot where John Quincy Adams could eavesdrop on his opponents across the room. He could hear the faintest whisper. Thats how my bathroom is. Cant take a shit without hearing about someones day or the birds chirping on the roof. This morning it was the old lady. At six in the goddamn morning too! Can you believe it? Nobody should be screaming at six in the morning. I opened the bathroom window and saw batty old Mrs. Ruth. The woman is always across the street at the liquor store. When shes not buying lottery tickets shes getting her brandy fix. I know her husband died not too long ago, doesnt mean she should be drowning herself in booze and making a racket. What are you hollerin about, Ruth? Get some help, that poor baby! She pointed to the roof. As soon as she stopped yelling I heard a meow coming from right above me. It was Mr. Knibbles! Stupid cat must have been chasing birds again. You gotta save that poor baby! Hes gonna go up the steeple! I forgot to mention that I live on the second floor of an old church. The people that ran this place before me decided to put in a drop ceiling. Took me weeks to get rid of that damn thing. Who builds a giant church and puts in a drop ceiling? No wonder those church people had to pick up and leave. Must have been a bunch of loons. Once I tore it down, I found a bunch of ventilation and the ceiling above it that kept the drop ceiling in place. Damned things all pockmarked with holes. Cat must have climbed up the ducts, went up through one of the

holes and out the broken ventilation shaft outside. I was going to fix that thing too, got blown away in a storm. I just didnt have a ladder big enough to get up there. I leaned out the window, still in my flannel pajamas. Ruth, that cat isnt going to come down with you yelling at it. Someones gotta do something! No ones gonna do anything with you waking up the whole neighborhood. I could hear the cat. Sounded like he was right above the bathtub. I stuck my head out the window but couldnt see him. I tried calling out to the dumb thing. Mr. Knibbles, get down from that roof! I ducked back inside and began looking for a broomstick. Ruth was still yelling outside. Where are you going? Arent you going to save that poor baby?! I yelled from the bathroom, I cant see the cat outside the window, but I hear him right above my bathtub. Im going to try get his attention from inside. Then I heard a raspy womans voice coming from one of the rowhomes across the street. Why dont yall shut up out there! If one-a-you wake up my Baxter, theres gonna be Hell to pay! I looked across the street and saw a womans figure whose face was smeared with something lime green. Her big body was covered by a pink robe. We made eye contact and she slammed shut her window. Must of not cared too much about waking up that Baxter. I went into my kitchen and found a broom. Figured the cat wasnt going to respond to reason. I went back in the bathroom and stood in the bathtub. Mr. Knibbles, what the Hell are you doing up there? I could hear him crying above me. You see what youve gotten yourself into, going up there chasing birds? Now, I told you before that chasing birds would get you into trouble. Its time for you to come down.

I started jabbing the ceiling with my broomstick and a sheet of dust came falling on me and all over my tub. I heard the cat scuttle away. Good! I thought. Maybe I scared him enough to get down. Thats when I heard Ruth screaming. Oh Jesus, now hes going up high! I poked my head out the window, brushing the dust off my shoulders and shaking it out my hair. Whatd you say Ruth? Hes going up higher! I saw Dale, the liquor store owner, parking his car. He got out, and hearing Ruths commotion, walked over. He was wearing a beat up, brown leather jacket and blue jeans. I never paid much attention to Dale. I dont like him any more than I dislike him. All I can really say about him is that nobody ever taught him to listen to people. Looking out my window I saw him talking with Ruth, but all I could hear was: poor baby this and poor baby that. Then, Dale looked up at me in the window. Hey there neighbor! I see you got a bit of a cat problem. Sure do, Dale. This early in the morning too. John, Why dont you come down outside and we can try to figure something out? All this yelling isnt getting anywhere. Sounds good, Ill be right down. I put on my boots and made my way downstairs, still in my pajamas. Since I retired, I made a rule for myself that I wont get out of my pajamas until after nine oclock in the morning. Dale was trying to console Mrs. Ruth. Its alright, Mrs. Ruth. Were gonna get that cat down. You just try to calm down and relax. Do you think I can get a pint of brandy? The store doesnt open for another half hour, you know that Ruth.

I walked over to them and shook Dales hand. He got out the first words. Good mornin. I like what youve done with the hedges outside. Thanks, Dale. I gotta figure out what to do about my cat. Hes not getting down on his own accord. Maybe if we throw somethin at it, itll come down. Dale began searching for stones. Dale, I already tried scaring him. Hes just going to climb up higher. Well, let me try. He picked up a small stone, about the size of a golf ball and threw it at the roof, but fell short and hit just above the stained glass window in front of the church. Mr Knibbles jumped up and made his way up the steeple and Mrs. Ruth gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. I turned to Dale, hot with anger. Goddamnit Dale! You almost took out my stained glass window! Im real sorry. Thought it was worth a shot. Well, youre not helping. Look, um, Im going to go open up the shop. Ill be right across the street if you need me. Ruth ran off after him. If I could have my way, Id leave Mr. Knibbles up there, let him fend for himself. Damned cat put me through enough trouble. Ruth would be back hollering any minute and drunker than before. I couldnt think of anything to do. I just stood there in my lawn, staring up at the cat and gave him the real stink eye. He felt it too. Little bastard even glared back at me before disappearing round the other side of the steeple. Mrs. Ruth, brown bagging a pint of brandy, came walking out the liquor store. Whered that poor baby go? Did he get down? Nah, hes hiding round the other side of the steeple. You gotta do something. Poor babys probably starvin up there!

I went around the side of the church to see if I could get a better view of Mr. Knibbles and saw a white pickup truck coming down the road towards me and a gloved hand waving out the window. It was Harvey! I forgot he was coming down to collect the scraps from the drop ceiling. Dont know what he wanted to do with them, just a bunch of old acoustic tiles. He was even paying me for it! I told him he could take it for free but the foolish boy insisted I take his $30, said something about everything having its fair price. I watched him as he pulled up to the curb. Harvey was young, but he was a good, honest boy. Always working on some sort of project. Volunteer firefighter too. He came out wearing a baseball cap, flannel shirt, worn in blue jeans, steel toe boots, and some working gloves. Morning John. Like what youve been doing with the hedges. Why are you out here with Mrs. Ruth in your pajamas? Mrs. Ruth was kind enough to bring to my attention at six in the morning that my cat was on the roof. Howd he get up there? Through some holes in the ceiling. I can help you out with that sometime. One of my fire department buddies can get us some scaffolding. You got those acoustic tiles for me? Ruth perked up and turned to Harvey. Did you say fire department? Why, I shoulda thought of that earlier! The fire department can save that poor baby! Mam, the fire department doesnt do cat calls anymore. Were strictly in the people saving business now. Ruth bowed her head and began mumbling to herself. Looking up at the roof, I said, Harvey, I know you cant get a fire engine down here, but you think you can get us a ladder?

I dont know where youre going to find a ladder tall enough; not like I can go to the firehouse and nab one for you. Look, I just want to get those tiles from you. Harvey, right now He was looking at something behind me with a fat grin on his face. Morning Miss Susan! Mighty nice morning for a walk. Harvey walked passed me and I turned around and saw Susan with her daughter, Claribel, pushing a stroller with her granddaughter in it. Claribels just over 16 years old and already a mother. Theres something wrong about that. No kid should be raising a child, especially before she knows anything about the world. Harvey walked by me and made his way over to Claribel. Mornin sunshine. Oh, and look at that baby! Youre getting cuter by the day! He took off one of his gloves and put his index finger out. The baby took hold of it. Claribel stood there playing with her cell phone. What you want, Harvey? Harvey removed his finger from the babys grasp. Mighty fine day for a walk, dont you think? I dont even wanna be out here. Mama dragged me out here. Said I gotta go to the bank with her. Susan glared at her. You need to learn some responsibility! Ive been taking care of your baby since that damn boy went runnin off. Mama, the banks not even open on Saturdays! Since when, girl? What you know about banks? You dont know nothin about banks. You never earned a dollar in your life. Harvey cleared his throat and said, Actually mam, banks closed on the weekends. Susan clenched her fists and her face went hot red. Damn it! Crystal told me at church it was open on Saturdays now. I dont know why I ever listen to that woman. Oh, shes getting an earful from me tomorrow. I tell you what! I told you mama! You dont listen to me.

The baby started crying. Harvey stuck his finger out again and calmed it down. Dont get too mad, mam. Its a fine morning out today. Susan relaxed herself. I suppose youre right Harvey, youve always been a good boy. Its not right to get so worked up in the morning. Wish Claribel coulda hitched up with you instead of that ignorant no-good boy that knocked her up.

Mr. Knibbles circled back round to the front of the church where Ruth and I could see him. Ruth pointed upwards and yelled, I can see him. I can see that poor baby! Hes still alive up there! Everyone turned and looked up at the steeple. Claribel gasped. Oh my God, theres a little kitty up there! Aint somebody gonna get him down? Hearing this, Harvey took a deep breath and spoke from his chest, Listen here everyone. That poor cat has been stuck up there long enough! Its time we worked together to get him down. How high up is it to that hole in the ceiling from the floor of your apartment, John? Seven to eight feet I suppose. What are you planning on doing? I got a bunch of wood and nails in the back of my truck. Im going to build little kitty a ramp. Can you bring out those acoustic tiles, John? Yeah, but Theyll form the ramp part of the ramp. Dont worry, this is as good a use as any for those tiles, Ill only need about seven of em. Bring em down. We gotta get started! Hows it going to work? Well build it and bring it inside your place and connect it from the hole in your ceiling down to your floor. Then, all we have to do is lure the cat back inside. Thats not as easy as you think. Why dont you just build it inside?

Not enough work space. Trust me, John. I know what Im doing. I went back inside to find the acoustic tiles. Harveys idea to build a ramp seemed stupid but I suppose the boy cant pass up an opportunity to impress a girl. Dont see what he sees in Claribel, though. That girl is real trouble. Hell, the whole female race is trouble. If theyre not getting pregnant, theyre trying to get something out of you. I do my best to stay away from women. Didnt stop me marrying one for ten years. She took everything, even tried to take Mr. Knibbles too! I hid him in the attic and told her that Mr. Knibbles heard hed have to stay with her and decided to run off on his own. Damned woman was trouble. Not that Im a woman hater. Men these days arent nothing either. Theyre going around getting girls pregnant and running off as if nothings changed. A real man owns up to his mistakes. All we have these days are boys. I took my sweet time getting those tiles. First thing I did was go to the bathroom where I could hear the faint meows of Mr. Knibbles. Damn cat seemed scared to death up there. I washed my hands, went into the kitchen and ate a handful of potato chips. Only thing I had to eat all morning. I wiped my hands on the sides of my pajamas and went to fetch those tiles. Instead of walking them down, I threw em out the window onto the lawn, one by one. Walking outside, I saw Harvey and the rest of the girls over by his truck. On the sidewalk was that woman who slammed her window earlier. She was walking her dog, a little white poofy thing, out in front of the church. She no longer had that lime green facial mask on, but her black hair was full of pink curling rollers. She had a cigarette in her mouth smoked down to the filter and was shuffling through her black leather purse for another one. Chain smoking Ida is what Ive always called her. The dog was on a short leash beside her looking anxious, as if it wanted to go somewhere else. Then, it squatted down and took a crap on the sidewalk right outside the pathway to the front door of the church. Ida didnt give it a single thought. Ida, you gonna clean that up?

She turned to me and I got a good look at her pencil-drawn eyebrows. In her raspy, smoker voice she replied, What are you talking about? Youre dog just did his business on my property. Its not your property. Sidewalk is public property. I can do what I want! That doesnt mean you can just leave that there. People walk on that sidewalk, I use it every day. Who do you think you are? Bossing around a lady. Ida, I dont care if youre a lady, a manHell, you could be my own motherId still make you clean it up. Fine, if youre going to be so rude about it. There was a stick about three feet long near the hedges around the church. Ida picked it up and swiped the shit into the street. There, you happy now? Why dont you go on home Ida? I dont think anyone wants you out here. I can do what I want. All this commotion over a damn cat? Youd think the Lindbergh baby was up there. Come on Baxter, we dont need to be around these ignorant people. She tugged on the leash, dragging the poor old dog behind her. I turned around and saw Harvey signaling me over. He had his leather tool belt on and had taken out two long wooden beams and some smaller pieces of wood out of his truck, along with a bucket of nails. The wood looked old, probably came from some scrap yard somewhere. Hey John, let me show you how this is gonna work. He laid out the two long wooden beams flat and put an acoustic tile over top of it. You see, the tile is going to go over the wood which will act as a base. Then, depending on how stable it is, I might add in some cross beams. He turned to Claribel and smiled. Only the best for our little four legged friend. We wouldnt the ramp to break on him.

She scowled. Stop trying to show off Harvey. Anyone can build a stupid ramp. I just want to see that kitty come down. Her mother hit her on the back of the head. Stop being so rude Claribel! I aint the one hittin people. Youre lucky I dont beat you right now where you stand. The baby was sucking on a pacifier, paying no attention to the arguing. Poor thing is probably desensitized to it all by now. Harvey said, Cmon guys, lets focus on this ramp. Arguing isnt gonna get that cat down any quicker. I was getting impatient. I just wanted this mess over with, and squabbling about a ramp wasnt making things any better. Harvey, look. You can stay here and work on the ramp. Im gonna ask around and see if I cant find a ladder. Im telling you John, this is the best plan. Like I said, if thats what you wanna do, Ill leave you to it. Ill be back before youre done. Fine, but dont leave me hangin John. I gotta get inside once this is finished. I walked across the street to the liquor store, figured Dale might have a ladder. He was sitting behind a plexiglass shield drinking soda pop and reading the paper. He didnt notice me come in so I knocked on the plexiglass. Dale, I need a favor. He took a sip of his soda pop and put his paper down. Is it about that cat? Theres a whole lotta commotion out there. What do you think? I dunno, Im no mind reader. All I need is a ladder. A ladder tall enough to get up on my roof.

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What, are you planning on climbing up there? I dont know, well see once I get a ladder. Youre getting too old to be doing that, John. Dale, I know how old I am and what I can do. Do you have a ladder or not? Only a step ladder. I use it to stock the high shelves. That wont do. Try over at the hardware store. Thatll be your best bet. Well, thanks anyway, Dale.

The hardware store wasnt a far walk from my place. Only a couple blocks on the main avenue. The hardware store is one of the few places on the strip that hasnt been turned into a restaurant or a coffee shop. Lots of young people have been moving in around here. Only reason the hardware store is still around is because its a landmark from the mill working days. I remember a time when all there was on the avenue was the hardware store, a shopping mart for groceries, a thrift store, a diner, and the bar: Dimitris. Now they got all sorts of fancy restaurants like sushi, thai, even a Mexican joint.Theres new bars for just the young folk to hang out at. Guess they dont want to hang around us old locals. Cant blame em. Most of us are loons anyway. The avenue was empty. I never see young people moving about until well after noon. The hardware store is crushed between a $5 a cup coffee shop and a fancy ladies clothing store. Sam was just opening up, going over his inventory. Hey Sam, do you think I could borrow a ladder? Im in a bit of a bind. Whats going on? Cat got stuck on the roof. I need to get up there.

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He stroked his long white beard and looked down at the floor. Im not sure I can help you. All I got are step ladders and folding ladders. Aint got no room for the kind of ladder youre looking for. Damn, think anyone in town might have what I need? You can try over at Dimitris. I heard Pauls got an extension ladder. Thanks Sam. Hey John, Dont be a stranger. I got some new drill bits that might be of use for your church fix-up. You know youll be the first person I come to. I made my way over to Dimitris. A lot of history in that place. Open from seven in the morning to two in the morning, cheapest beers in town. Used to spend a lot of time in there drinking whiskey. I know some guys that spend their entire day there, only stopping to go to the McDonalds across the street before coming right back in for another drink. Its a small little bar, only about thirty seats. Never see many young people, mostly just old locals with nothing better to do. Paul was working the bar. Mike was down on the end drinking his first pint of the day, watching a History Channel special about hunters in Alaska. When hes not drinking hes the bars line cook. Nobody ever gets the food, so he spends most of his time drinking and when somebody does, hes too drunk to get the order right. A fan stood in the corner blowing air. Despite the sun being up and it being morning, the bar was still dark and musty. Hey John, strange seeing you around here, especially this early in the morning. Can I get ya anything? No, Im just looking for a ladder. Sam said you might have something out back. Oh, that old thing? I got rid of it months ago. It just sat out there gathering dirt. What you need it for anyway?

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My cats up on the roof. Need to get him down. Mike turned around and yelled across the bar, Hey pajama man, you tell him to come down the way he came up! Dont see why you oughta worry about a stupid cat. I know Mike, its just people keep going on about it and wont shut up till I get it down. Seems to me people should mind their own business! Shut up Mike, no one wants to hear your hollering. Paul, I dont need you defending me. I dont know what Im gonna do. I got that boy Harvey over there making some sort of ramp. Whats he doing there? Came by to pick up some junk. Acoustic tiles, that sort of thing. That boys always up to something. Mike yelled across the bar again. You tell Harvey that I need to see him about something! What? Thats between me and him! Look, Paul, Im gonna get out of here. I need to figure out what Im gonna do. All I want is to go back to sleep. Alright John. Hope you can figure it all out. Come back some time, will ya? I started walking back home, figured if anything, Harvey might be done with that ramp. As I made my way around the corner I saw a crowd of people gathering around the church. Deep down I hoped they were there for something else, anything but that ramp and my stupid cat. I walked another block and could hear Harveys hammering and boasting, though I couldnt tell which was louder. Standing around him were Mrs. Ruth, Dale, Miss Susan, her daughter, her daughters daughter, the Pattersons from across the 7-11, the Lloyds who live above the deli on Falls Road and Doug who works at the deli, Minnie from the laundromat, old Jogger

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Steve, dressed in his tracksuit and headband, and even Ida and her dog. I got closer. Dale pointed to me and everyone turned around, staring at me like theyd been waiting for me to come all morning. The Pattersons moved aside revealing Harvey behind them. I saw his gloved hand go up in the air, waving me over. John, get over here! The ramps just about done and I need to get inside. Why are all these people here? What did you say? I said, why are all these people here! Youre going to have to get closer, We still cant hear you. I walked right into the middle of the gathering. I saw the cat near the top of the steeple looking down on everyone, frightened as all Hell. Harvey was hammering in the last nails. Harvey, what the Hell is going on here? Well, all these folks noticed the scene going on here and II mean weinvited them over to be a part of it. Nothing like a bit of excitement on a Saturday morning. Is that ramp of yours done? Im hoping to get this damned thing over with. Yeah, let me show you. Stand back everyone! The crowd made room and Harvey stood the ramp upright, revealing a trampled rectangle of grass underneath. My damn lawn had become these peoples fairgrounds. Its a pretty simple ramp, but its a good one. He spun it around, showing the X shaped cross beams underneath. Some of the wood looked splintered and brittle. See these supports John? No way this thing is going to break on the little kitty. Its sturdy enough to even support a man, I suppose. Well, hopefully it wont come to that. Any luck on that ladder?

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Nope, looks like were going to be using your ramp afterall. Not that I think its a good idea. Well have to bring it up the fire escape to get it inside. Harvey scanned the crowd of people circling around us. You heard the man. To the fire escape! The fire escape to the church is nothing more than a straight staircase around the side. It doesnt zig-zag around like fire escapes do in the city. Harvey followed me over with his ramp, insisting that he be the only one to carry it. Behind him was the crowd of people. From the looks of it, Ruth had already taken a few swigs of brandy. Claribel pushed her baby along through the grass while it played with its rattle, paying no attention to the stupidity going on. I got over to the fire escape, turned around, and saw Ida. She didnt have the curlers in her hair anymore, and shot me a scowl. Harvey stood on the first step of the fire escape and planted the ramp upright in front of him. Now everyone, by the time I walk out this church, that cat is going to be safe and on solid ground. Mrs. Ruth chimed in, brown bag of brandy in hand. You hear that, poor baby? Harveys gonna get you down, get you some food and water. Dale said, Are you going to let us come in John? No. I raised my voice so everyone could hear. Nobody is coming inside my home except for Harvey here. You all can stay out here if you like, but nobodys coming inside. Harvey sighed and said, Well John, if thats what you want. Look here everyone, wait outside and once that kitty is down Ill bring him outside to show hes safe. Harvey, get out of the way so I can open the door. He moved aside and I walked up the fire escape and went in. I heard Harvey thumping up the stairs with his ramp. Doug from the deli offered to give him a hand, but Harvey being Harvey declined. He got up to the top of the stairs and slowly maneuvered the ramp through the

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door inside. Ok, John Im here. Damn, we really need to get you that scaffolding so you can fix up this ceiling. Lets just focus on getting that cat down. Right, wheres that hole? I walked over near the front of the church where the ventilation duct started. Its over here, where the cat got through. Were gonna need some bait, otherwise we might be here all day. You got any tuna fish? No, but I got a can of cat food. Good, good. How about duct tape? Duct tape? Yeah, we gotta tape the can of cat food to the top of the ramp to lure the kitty down. Harvey laid the ramp against the duct, picked it up, moved it, and laid it back down again trying to find a sturdy spot. I went to the kitchen and grabbed the cat food from the cupboard and the duct tape under the sink. Hey John, you got anything to keep this ramp in place? I cant seem to find a sturdy spot. Yeah, I got a cement block. Should be near the top of the stairs behind you. The fire escape? No, the regular stairs. He put the ramp down and fetched the cement block. Wow, this thing is heavy! Why do you have it anyway? It was a retirement present from the construction company I worked for. It says GOOD LUCK JOHN on the other side.

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Well aint that sweet. You got that food and tape? Bring it over here and tape it to the top of the ramp. This is not going to work Harvey. It will, trust me. I laid the ramp flat on the ground and taped the can of cat food all the way around, sealing it in place on the top of the ramp. I pulled the tab off the can exposing the Classic Pt Chicken and Tuna Dinner inside. Harvey carefully put the cement block in place. Ok John, were gonna have to do this real carefully. Dont want cat food spilling everywhere. I figure we can angle this thing just right to keep everything in place. Grab one side of the ramp and Ill take the other. We each took a side of the ramp, me looking at Harvey, he looking at me, each of us with one eye on the cat food. Slowly, we moved the ramp into place and began tilting it upwards. Juices inside the can spilled over the edge, running down the ramp, but the solid meat goop inside held in place. There the ramp sat between the ventilation duct and my retirement block, the cat food barely kept from teetering over the side of the can. Well that wasnt so bad, eh John? Now what. That kittys getting hungry, I know it. Any second now hes gonna smell this here food and come running back in. We stood there waiting. Not a minute later, Mr. Knibbles was poking his head through the hole above the ventilation duct. There he is John! We got him! Shut-up Harvey, youre going to scare him off. Mr. Knibbles looked from side-to-side, and slowly crept to the tuna. Balancing himself between the duct and the top of the ramp, he started eating.

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Harvey whispered in excitement, Its working John. Now what? Hes not going down the ramp hes just eating the food. I dont know. Maybe pull out the ramp from under him? No. Cat food is going to get all over my floor and the cat is just going to get startled and run back onto the roof. I know, I know, Ill climb up and grab him before he knows Im coming. Thats not a good idea Harvey, the ramp is going to break. Trust me, I made the ramp. I know what Im doing. Harvey, dont you dare Im doing it. Harvey took off his belt and gloves and got on his hand and knees, inching himself up the ramp, bracing his hands under the wooden supports. Its working. See, the ramp is stable. It took him ten seconds to make it up a single foot. Slowly he crept. The wood creaked under the pressure and I heard the wood begin to splinter. Harvey, its not going to Harvey smashed through the ramp, not three feet up. The top of the ramp and the cat food came crashing down on him, showering him in a mess of chicken and tuna. Taken by surprise, Mr. Knibbles was catapulted across the room, shrieking in terror. I didnt know whether to check on my cat or Harvey. Mr. Knibbles, shaken up but on his feet ran behind the sofa; Im not sure if it was out of shame or fear, or a combination of both. Harvey lay dazed under a mess of wood, tiles, and cat food. Harvey, are you ok? I told you that was a bad idea. Harvey flailed his arms, brushed away the mess on top of him.What, um, wheres the kitty? Is he up there?

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No, hes behind the sofa. He pulled at his hair, and stared at the catfood that came off on his hand. John, I dont feel too good. I think Im covered in cat food. You are Harvey. You were being an idiot. Do you think I can get the rest of your tiles? I dont think these are any good no more. I heard someone running up the fire escape. The door flung open and Dale came running over. What the Hell happened in here? We heard some commotion from outside. Old Ruth just about fainted. Harvey took a spill. Dont worry, we got the cat down. No, I got the cat down. You dont look so good, Harvey, Dale said, scratching his head. Im fine, Im fine. Dont worry about me. Tell everyone Ill be outside in a minute. Dale went running back outside. Hey John, think I could borrow a towel? Yeah, sure. I fetched a towel from the bathroom and handed it to Harvey. Despite being an idiot, you managed to get the job done. Thanks John. That means something coming from you. Youre one of the guys who made it. What do you mean? You retired, got some security, never had any unwanted kids or nothing. My dad worked all his life, construction like you, and never retired. He couldnt. I dont think Ill ever retire either. I know Im still young, but thats how I feel. The world isnt about retiring.

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I know, its just how I see things. All anyone ever talks about is retiring one day, moving somewhere, starting a new life. I never started a new life, Harvey. Look, why dont you brush yourself off and go out there, tell everyone you did it, that you saved that cat. People like you Harvey, youre a good kid. Thanks John. Oh, when youre done that come back here and clean up this mess and dont forget to take the rest of these tiles. Sure thing, John. And off he went, that fool. I still stand by what I said about Harvey being a good kid, he just needs his head on straight, needs to stop chasing girls like that Claribel. The worlds a real stupid place if you ask me, and kids like Harvey have got the cards stacked against them. Thats why all I got is my cat. Mr. Knibbles doesnt care about anything except sleeping, eating, and chasing birds. Only thing hes afraid of is getting stuck up on that roof. Even then, I think hes just toying with me. Damn cat. I really need to patch up those holes; at least now I can get some sleep.

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