Scene: Yeti and Peekaboo have taken shelter in the closet, out of the way of Missus’ coming and going, sorting and recording, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Gathering a year’s worth of disorganized tax information and making it make sense is a strain to her artist’s brain.
Yeti: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” [George Orwell, 1984]
Boo: “Oh, the horror, the horror.” [Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness]
Yeti: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” [Thomas Paine, The American Crisis]
Boo: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” [Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities] Forget that. This is the worst of times. When is this tax thing going to be over? I’m tired of being shooed away from stacks of papers. Nowhere is safe except this wardrobe. I want to run around. I want fun.
Yeti: Missus isn’t having any fun. She’s working hard. So is Mister at his job. We don’t have to do much around here. Besides [yawning], I can sleep anywhere, even in here.
Boo: I guess I absorb more anxiety than you do. Maybe I empathize too much.
Yeti: I wouldn’t put it like that. It’s really a good thing that you can empathize, to a degree…just don’t let it take over and destroy you. Worry doesn’t fix anything. It’s wasted energy.
Boo: So how does that make empathy a good thing?
Yeti: You’re the loving one, and anyone can see how much that boosts the Missus’ mood. You see she’s upset and you try to do something about it.
Boo: Aww. That’s nice of you to say.
Yeti: Don’t get used to it.
Boo: You know, you could cheer her up too.
Yeti: [Squirming] Why throw her off with something unexpected? Besides, she’s very busy still.
Boo: Nothing would cheer her up more! Come on, you know it.
Yeti: I guess I could practice what I preach more. But we must respect her schedule, too.
Boo: Understood. Well, time to give up that box you’re on. It’s your shift.
Yeti: So that’s your motivation. [Relinquishing her cozy spot]
Boo: Think what you like. It’s still your turn to provide her “cuteness fix”.
Yeti: [Leaves, mumbling] I feel so dirty….
