Toy Store Cat

PATRICIA, an old toymaker still hoping to someday find her missing daughter
A CAT that enters the toy store unexpectedly
EMILY, Patricia’s granddaughter

SETTING:

A toy store

PATRICIA is reading a book at her desk when the bell rings. She peers over the top of her glasses at the door, but doesn’t see anyone enter.

PATRICIA

Hello? It’s a bit early in the day for ghosts, don’t you think?

No response. PATRICIA sighs and gets up from her desk, old joints cracking.

PATRICIA

(Softer)

Oh, of course. Is there a grown-up with you? Yo-yos are on sale – oh. Oh, no.

She finally spots the arrival – A CAT, blinking up at her. It makes no sound.

PATRICIA

(To the sky)

Just because I’m old and alone doesn’t make me a cat lady!

THE CAT approaches, and she starts sneezing.

PATRICIA

How did you even get in here?

THE CAT doesn’t respond.

PATRICIA

Oh, well. I suppose there are bookstore cats – why not a toy store cat? Why not? Why not indeed? (Continues to sneeze) No, no, no! Stop that! Not the striped seagulls! Am I going to have to call animal control? Thank you. What do you know? I didn’t expect you to understand me. Then again, that’s why these seagulls are my favorites to make. Each one reminds me of a different unexpected, strange, wonderful possibility. This one is pigs flying. This one is snow in summer. This one is my daughter returning to me. … She wasn’t much bigger than you when last I saw her – all long hair and laughter. Wherever she is, I hope she’s still laughing. The police thought she ran away, can you believe that? Did you run away, though?

The bell rings again, and a child – EMILY – runs into the store, grabbing THE CAT.

EMILY

I’m so sorry, ma’am! I opened the door just for a second to get a better look inside your store – it’s so beautiful in here – and he must’ve run right in. I didn’t notice he was gone until I was a whole block down. Bad, bad Timmy! Oh, no, did he rip up some of your striped seagulls? I can pay you back. Well, I can’t, but I’ll find a way –

PATRICIA

It’s quite all right. He seems very smart and charming.

EMILY

Oh, he is.

PATRICIA

Are there any grown-ups with you?

EMILY

My mom is next door at the Banana Republic, but it’s so boring in there. No bananas anywhere. She doesn’t like not being able to see me when we’re out places, but now we have Timmy. He’s a guard cat.

PATRICIA

A guard … cat?

EMILY

Of course! He’ll keep me safe so I never go missing like my mom did. It’s so cool that you have striped seagulls. My mom draws them for me all the time, just like her mom used to.

PATRICIA

(In shock)

You’re welcome to take one. Just promise that you’ll come back with your mother as soon as she’s done with her shopping. Yo-yos are half off, you know. Promise me?

EMILY takes a seagull.

EMILY

OK …

(To TIMMY as they leave the store)

What a weird lady. We definitely have to come back.