Sold!

In retrospect, I should have realized getting Freddie more involved in Cat’s Cradle’s long-range strategy and fundraising operations was a bad idea. But I didn’t. As they say, live, learn and calm your overly drama-prone roommate down. In my defense, all I did was show him a flyer which Cat’s Cradle is having an auction on October 19th.

“Benny!” he cried, dropping the flyer in the water bowl, “they can’t do this!”

“Now Ashton’s going to have to clean up after you,” I chastised. “Anyway, do what? Sell baked goods? Just because humans have this strange preference for chocolate over tuna fish doesn’t mean selling them unappetizing foodstuff is wrong.”

“Oh Benny, you’re so naive! Foodstuffs, indeed. It’s obvious the humans have caved in to temptation.”

“Would you either stop ranting or make sense? Both if you can manage it.”

“It’s obvious. What’s the most valuable thing they have?”

“Ooh! Did they get new digital scales to weigh kittens?”

“No, dolt! Us. Cats! Tuxedo cats in particular. They’re going to raffle us to the highest bidder! No adoption contracts! No background checks! They must be stopped! I’m sending e-mail to PETA!”

“I think somebody better lay off the catnip. I mean talk about paranoia!”

“Paranoia? Look at this flyer! There’s a picture of two black cats right by the list of stuff for sale.”

“You mean Cat’s Cradle’s logo above the list and to the left of it?”

“Oh. Logo. I knew that.”

“Of course you did. ’Oh’ is right.”

“Um, Benny? When we get back to the shelter, would you mind not mentioning this little misunderstanding to Josie?”

“No problem, Freddie.”

“Should I read the board minutes now?”

“Really, Freddie, I wouldn’t worry about it.”