Post by Steve Sinclair on Jun 18, 2016 13:23:17 GMT
Life on the road can be difficult. A new town, a new city every week, sometimes even a new country. It can become a grind. Always on the go, living out of your suitcase, it can wear on you after a while and soon you find yourself wanting something, anything to be a bright spot while trucking down the highway to the next gig. Sometimes it comes in the form of liquid, maybe pill form. It could be a person. There is nothing like love on the road to make life easier. It can also come in the form of a pet. Like a orange striped tiger cat named Sparky……..
Saturday night and that can mean only one thing. UWL TV show and this week is the debut on AXS TV so you know it has to be a little extra special. Jessica Larkin, everyone’s favorite backstage interviewer is in her dressing room getting ready for the show. She is seated down in front of a mirror doing her makeup and Sparky hops up on the little table she is using.
Jessica Sweetie! Careful.
She pets Sparky who returns the love. These 2 have bonded over the week. Sparky tucks his tail under his backside and squats and sits and watches Jessica as she applies her eye liner.
Jessica Mommy has to get ready Sweetie. I promise after work I will take you the park.
”Mommy” how cute. Just then there is a knock on the door. Not thinking anything about it Jessica calls out.
Jessica Hello?
There comes a voice from the other side of the door she has never heard before.
Male voice Yes. Miss Larkin?
Jessica stops doing her makeup and looks over her shoulder towards the door.
Jessica Who is it?
Male Voice Detective Adams Miss. I wish to speak to you about a cat?
Jessica looks at Sparky and can’t believe what she just heard.
Jessica Just a second….
Detective Adams Sure. Take your time.
Jess picks up Sparky and she has one of those high end pet carriers that could be a designer bag, she places Sparky in it and closes it. Sparky almost knowing what is up lays down in it. Jessica picks up a pile of clothes, towels and throws them on top of the carrier.
Jessica Not a sound baby…
Jess whispers. Once she has the Sparky hidden, she picks up a bathrobe and throws it on and holds it closed by her chin to give the impression that she could nude under it. She slowly opens the door just enough to peek around the door and standing in the doorway is a gentleman in his mid to late 30’s, short black hair, clean face. He is holding up his badge. His FBI badge.
Detective Adams Miss Larkin?
Jessica Yes….FBI?
Detective Adams Yes. Detective Adams from the FBI. I’m on….this might sound silly given the nature but I am working on a missing persons case only it’s not a person but rather a cat. A orange tiger cat, male, 3 years old we believe. He has a collar with a number number on it and a name, Sparky is the cat’s name.
Jessica Okay?
Selling it like a champ she is.
Detective Adams We have reports that this cat was spotted at your last show in…...New York. We sent in some guys to locate the cat. Perhaps you heard something about that?
Jessica huh….yeah. I heard a rumor that the swat team was in the building…..the…..
Jessica snaps her fingers to help her remember the name of the building….
Detective Adams Coles Sports and Recreation center?
Jessica Ah! Yes! Thank you! I sometimes forget what building we were in week to week.
Detective Adams I understand.
Jessica But I just thought that was a crazy story the guys were talking about. I thought it was a rib. You know how some of these muscle guys are, always pranking one another. So that was true then?
Detective Adams It was Miss.
Jessica Huh. So….so did you find the….you know...cat?
Detective Adams No we did not. We talked with everyone at the show and no one saw this cat but there was one person we did not talk to.
Jessica Really? Who?
Detective Adams smirks.
Detective Adams That would be you Miss Larkin.
Jessica Oh? Yeah I guess you didn’t….speak with me.
Detective Adams We did not.
Jessica Yeah…..
Awkward moment of silence.
Jessica Oh! Sorry. I didn’t see a cat that night if that is what you are wondering.
Detective Adams I see. Miss Larkin, Do you know a gentleman by the name of Billy Sutton?
To be continued………
”That F***ing bastard!” Runs through Jessica’s mind. Her palms get sweaty and her heart rate picks up a tick.
Jessica “Yes….yes I do. He’s……”
Jessica adjusts the grip she has on her bathrobe, tightening it up and clears her throat.
Jessica “uhh….he’s my ex.”
The words were painful to say.
Detective Adams “I see.”
Adams jots that down in his notepad.
Jessica “Why do you ask?”
Detective Adams “Miss Larkin. Last week after the show, Mr. Sutton told me he was hanging around in the parking lot awaiting for a aquance when he spotted you leaving the arena…..”
Running through her mind as Adams speaks is Jessica scanning the parking lot last week making sure the ghost was clear. Guess it wasn’t.
Detective Adams “And he said that he spotted you leaving the arena well after the show was over with with what appeared to him as a cat in your arms.”
Jessica’s ears turn bright red and they are burning. She doesn’t say a word but the gears are spinning in her mid at light speed.
Detective Adams “So I have to ask Miss Larkin. Did you have a cat with you last week?”
Jessica “I already…..”
Detective Adams “I don’t think you fully understand the situation you are in. I’ve been in the FBI working on missing person cases for 10 years now and it is not the norm to spend the resources we are spending on looking for a cat. I don’t know if you have heard but that cat is the main suspect in a murder case.”
Jessica can’t help but laugh, she catches herself after the sudden outburst.
Jessica “Sorry…...sorry but I just can’t buy that. This must be some sort of joke. You’re telling me that this cat, this cat you are looking for that my bitter ex boyfriend said he saw me carrying what looked like a cat mind you, is a murderer? I’m sorry but that is laughable.”
Detective Adams “Do I look like I’m laughing Miss Larkin? If I could show you the crime scene photos, what that cat did to the victim, you wouldn’t not be laughing.”
Jessica “Yeah okay, whatever! Listen, tell Billy to leave me alone. This was a nice rib but it needs to stop. I have to get ready for work okay, so I’ll have to ask you to leave. Bye.”
Jessica goes to close the door and Adams places his foot in the door jam and his hand on the door to keep her from closing the door. Jessica pushes back on the door to keep him from opening it.
Detective Adams “Miss! Where is the cat?”
Jessica “Are you kidding me? I told you to leave!”
Detective Adams “I can’t, not without that cat!”
Jessica slings open the door and steps out into the hallway and gets right in Detective Adams’ face.
Jessica “For the last time, I don’t have a cat! What Billy thought he saw as a cat was really paperwork and video from the show. If he paid any attention to me when we were together he would know I do take my work home with me to work on stuff for the following week! I am busy 7 days a week for the UWL, I don’t have time for children, bitter jadded boyfriends and for pets! I am always on the go and don’t have time for that! If I had this cat, I would gladly give him up but like I said…..I don’t have that cat or a cat, period.”
Jessica stares Adams down. After a couple of seconds Adams closes his notebook and takes a step back.
Detective Adams “Okay Miss Larkin. I’m sorry to bother you. I will speak to Mr. Sutton about his statement. I will ask you if you do come across this cat to please stay away from it and give me a call. This isn’t a rib. That cat is a murderer. Thank you.”
Adams turns and leaves and Jessica backs into her dressing room slamming the door behind her and leaning up against the door and starts to break down crying. Jessica wipes the tears from her eyes and she moves over to pile of clothes she buried Sparky under. She throws them off of him and unzips the pet carrier. Sparky pops his head out and meows. He jumps outs of the carrier into Jessica’s arms. She holds the cat tight to herself and Sparky purrs and purrs.
Jessica “Murderer…..please. A cutie like you a stone cold killer. I don’t believe it.”
Fade out.
Saturday night and that can mean only one thing. UWL TV show and this week is the debut on AXS TV so you know it has to be a little extra special. Jessica Larkin, everyone’s favorite backstage interviewer is in her dressing room getting ready for the show. She is seated down in front of a mirror doing her makeup and Sparky hops up on the little table she is using.
Jessica Sweetie! Careful.
She pets Sparky who returns the love. These 2 have bonded over the week. Sparky tucks his tail under his backside and squats and sits and watches Jessica as she applies her eye liner.
Jessica Mommy has to get ready Sweetie. I promise after work I will take you the park.
”Mommy” how cute. Just then there is a knock on the door. Not thinking anything about it Jessica calls out.
Jessica Hello?
There comes a voice from the other side of the door she has never heard before.
Male voice Yes. Miss Larkin?
Jessica stops doing her makeup and looks over her shoulder towards the door.
Jessica Who is it?
Male Voice Detective Adams Miss. I wish to speak to you about a cat?
Jessica looks at Sparky and can’t believe what she just heard.
Jessica Just a second….
Detective Adams Sure. Take your time.
Jess picks up Sparky and she has one of those high end pet carriers that could be a designer bag, she places Sparky in it and closes it. Sparky almost knowing what is up lays down in it. Jessica picks up a pile of clothes, towels and throws them on top of the carrier.
Jessica Not a sound baby…
Jess whispers. Once she has the Sparky hidden, she picks up a bathrobe and throws it on and holds it closed by her chin to give the impression that she could nude under it. She slowly opens the door just enough to peek around the door and standing in the doorway is a gentleman in his mid to late 30’s, short black hair, clean face. He is holding up his badge. His FBI badge.
Detective Adams Miss Larkin?
Jessica Yes….FBI?
Detective Adams Yes. Detective Adams from the FBI. I’m on….this might sound silly given the nature but I am working on a missing persons case only it’s not a person but rather a cat. A orange tiger cat, male, 3 years old we believe. He has a collar with a number number on it and a name, Sparky is the cat’s name.
Jessica Okay?
Selling it like a champ she is.
Detective Adams We have reports that this cat was spotted at your last show in…...New York. We sent in some guys to locate the cat. Perhaps you heard something about that?
Jessica huh….yeah. I heard a rumor that the swat team was in the building…..the…..
Jessica snaps her fingers to help her remember the name of the building….
Detective Adams Coles Sports and Recreation center?
Jessica Ah! Yes! Thank you! I sometimes forget what building we were in week to week.
Detective Adams I understand.
Jessica But I just thought that was a crazy story the guys were talking about. I thought it was a rib. You know how some of these muscle guys are, always pranking one another. So that was true then?
Detective Adams It was Miss.
Jessica Huh. So….so did you find the….you know...cat?
Detective Adams No we did not. We talked with everyone at the show and no one saw this cat but there was one person we did not talk to.
Jessica Really? Who?
Detective Adams smirks.
Detective Adams That would be you Miss Larkin.
Jessica Oh? Yeah I guess you didn’t….speak with me.
Detective Adams We did not.
Jessica Yeah…..
Awkward moment of silence.
Jessica Oh! Sorry. I didn’t see a cat that night if that is what you are wondering.
Detective Adams I see. Miss Larkin, Do you know a gentleman by the name of Billy Sutton?
To be continued………
”That F***ing bastard!” Runs through Jessica’s mind. Her palms get sweaty and her heart rate picks up a tick.
Jessica “Yes….yes I do. He’s……”
Jessica adjusts the grip she has on her bathrobe, tightening it up and clears her throat.
Jessica “uhh….he’s my ex.”
The words were painful to say.
Detective Adams “I see.”
Adams jots that down in his notepad.
Jessica “Why do you ask?”
Detective Adams “Miss Larkin. Last week after the show, Mr. Sutton told me he was hanging around in the parking lot awaiting for a aquance when he spotted you leaving the arena…..”
Running through her mind as Adams speaks is Jessica scanning the parking lot last week making sure the ghost was clear. Guess it wasn’t.
Detective Adams “And he said that he spotted you leaving the arena well after the show was over with with what appeared to him as a cat in your arms.”
Jessica’s ears turn bright red and they are burning. She doesn’t say a word but the gears are spinning in her mid at light speed.
Detective Adams “So I have to ask Miss Larkin. Did you have a cat with you last week?”
Jessica “I already…..”
Detective Adams “I don’t think you fully understand the situation you are in. I’ve been in the FBI working on missing person cases for 10 years now and it is not the norm to spend the resources we are spending on looking for a cat. I don’t know if you have heard but that cat is the main suspect in a murder case.”
Jessica can’t help but laugh, she catches herself after the sudden outburst.
Jessica “Sorry…...sorry but I just can’t buy that. This must be some sort of joke. You’re telling me that this cat, this cat you are looking for that my bitter ex boyfriend said he saw me carrying what looked like a cat mind you, is a murderer? I’m sorry but that is laughable.”
Detective Adams “Do I look like I’m laughing Miss Larkin? If I could show you the crime scene photos, what that cat did to the victim, you wouldn’t not be laughing.”
Jessica “Yeah okay, whatever! Listen, tell Billy to leave me alone. This was a nice rib but it needs to stop. I have to get ready for work okay, so I’ll have to ask you to leave. Bye.”
Jessica goes to close the door and Adams places his foot in the door jam and his hand on the door to keep her from closing the door. Jessica pushes back on the door to keep him from opening it.
Detective Adams “Miss! Where is the cat?”
Jessica “Are you kidding me? I told you to leave!”
Detective Adams “I can’t, not without that cat!”
Jessica slings open the door and steps out into the hallway and gets right in Detective Adams’ face.
Jessica “For the last time, I don’t have a cat! What Billy thought he saw as a cat was really paperwork and video from the show. If he paid any attention to me when we were together he would know I do take my work home with me to work on stuff for the following week! I am busy 7 days a week for the UWL, I don’t have time for children, bitter jadded boyfriends and for pets! I am always on the go and don’t have time for that! If I had this cat, I would gladly give him up but like I said…..I don’t have that cat or a cat, period.”
Jessica stares Adams down. After a couple of seconds Adams closes his notebook and takes a step back.
Detective Adams “Okay Miss Larkin. I’m sorry to bother you. I will speak to Mr. Sutton about his statement. I will ask you if you do come across this cat to please stay away from it and give me a call. This isn’t a rib. That cat is a murderer. Thank you.”
Adams turns and leaves and Jessica backs into her dressing room slamming the door behind her and leaning up against the door and starts to break down crying. Jessica wipes the tears from her eyes and she moves over to pile of clothes she buried Sparky under. She throws them off of him and unzips the pet carrier. Sparky pops his head out and meows. He jumps outs of the carrier into Jessica’s arms. She holds the cat tight to herself and Sparky purrs and purrs.
Jessica “Murderer…..please. A cutie like you a stone cold killer. I don’t believe it.”
Fade out.