Whatcha doing in the window, Rasky –just looking?

More like being looked AT, Kate. It’s Halloween, so it’s about goblins & witches & traditions & all those stories I’ve told you about. Well, mostly it’s because the little beans get a kick out of seeing a black cat in a window, so I try to do my share.

Can I come up too, or would that ruin it?

Not at all, c’mon up. I have to be here for awhile so company would be welcome.

Gee, there’s a lot of little beans out there. And they look weird!

They all wear costumes on Halloween to pretend they’re something else. And they knock on doors so all the big Beans give them candy or snacks.

So THAT’S what our beans were up to! The girl looked like one of Dr. Schenck’s assistants, and the boy had whiskers and a fur suit and a bag of my sub Q’s on a stand.

Yeah, I heard him say he’s pretending to be you tonight.

WHAT?? He didn’t look anything LIKE me!

Well don’t tell HIM that because HE thinks he does. Besides, it’s a fun night, so don’t take it purrsonally. Hey look –check out this latest group of baby beans coming past now.

Ha! The tiny one’s the cutest-a miniature clown. What’s the fluffy one supposed to be?

A ballerina, I think. The one next to her is a native American Indian, although I think they overdid the feathers. Nice shoes, though. They’re looking at us, so swish your tail and give them a sweet purr.

Hey Rasc, here comes a bean dressed like a barker walking on 2 legs, but he’s got a REAL barker on a leash –who’s that?

Oh wow, that’s Sally! She lives two blocks over. I told you about her –she was treated horribly and left tied to a tree, was almost ready to leave for the Rainbow Bridge when these beans found her, loved her, and nursed her back to health. I haven’t seen her in ages. Look at that tail wagging away!

Well she sure looks great now, really healthy. Hey Rasc, she’s barking to you..

Ahh..she says IMOM & these Beans changed her life around. She loves where she’s at now –it’s safe and warm with lots of love all around. Look how happy she is. Gee, that’s nice to know, isn’t it, Kate?

It really is, Rasc. But she should give her bean companion some tips on how to REALLY look like a barker –he’s not very believable.

It’s all about imagination, Kate. Besides, Sally sees him for what’s in his heart, not his costume. That’s what really matters. I think he sees her that way, too. They’re a good match.

Rasc, is it my imagination, or is this little hobo bean blinking at you?

Oh, that’s Jamie –she speaks cat – watch..

Hey, she understood everything you meowed to her! How neat! But why is she upset?

She says there are two older boy beans around the corner who scared her and took some of her candy. They’re being really mean to the smaller beans and she wants to know if I can help. Gee, I feel bad, Kate, but I don’t think I can do anything.

Ask her if they’re coming this way, Rasky..

She said she thinks so.

Tell her you’ll try, Rasc. She’s such a good little bean, you’ve GOT to try something. You’re always telling me we’re here to teach the beans, Rasc; isn’t this a good time to try? For the little beans to see it’s never Ok to be mean? Go ahead, tell her you’ll try!!

Okay, Kate, I told her. Now what? I have NO ideas!

Hmmmmn..it’s getting dark out..I’ll be right back.

Well Kate, you’ve made 4 trips bringing this stuff and I still can’t figure out what you’re up to –the bean’s hair gel –ketchup – a flashlight – and...what are THESE things?

They’re fangs. I got the idea from one of the beans who passed by earlier. We put the hair gel on you like this..see, now your fur sticks up like it’s wild & crazy. Now slop this ketchup on your mouth & chin & chest, like this. When the meanies come close: you lunge into the screen with your claws, I’ll jump up & down on the flashlight so it lights you up in spurts & flashes, and we’ll both make the LOUDEST yells we can. Oh –almost forgot, stick these things on your front teeth.

Kate, ifs hard to tawk wif dese fangs..

Don’t worry, you just HISS loud and long and I’ll be hiding right below you helping with everything trust me. The meanies are getting close. Wait until they’re right outside our window. Ready..Ok.. NOW!!

HISSSCREECHHOWLMEOOOWW!!!!!!GRRROWWLLSCREECHHISWHAMEOWHI
SSSSSHREEEEEEEEEIKYOWWWWLLLGROWLMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOOOOOO
WWHISS!!!!

...well?...how’d we do, Rasky? Did it work?

Haf ta git dese fangs off firs...but oh, I think that worked just FINE, Kate. C’mon up and take a look..

Ha! I didn’t know beans could run that fast! Look, they’re still going! And they dropped their sacks of goodies! It worked, Rasc, you DID it!

WE did it, Kate. And you know what’s best? Look at Jamie over there. She and her friends are all laughing so hard, all so happy again. Now THAT’s worth being half blinded by your flashing light, plus the amount of time it’ll take me to clean all this gunk off of me. Gotta admit, we taught the right lesson tonight, Kate. Good job.

The meanies are gone & Jamie’s smiling. It IS a good feeling. And I’ll help you wash up, Rasc, it’s the least I can do. I’m a little hoarse from all the yelling, but this was worth it. I had FUN.

You know, so did I. Being a black cat on Halloween can be fun, even at my age. Thanks for your help, Kate. I couldn’t have done this without you tonight.

You’re welcome, Rasc. Know what I think we should do NEXT year?

I can’t begin to imagine, but tell me while we wash up, OK? I think it’s time to call it a night.

OK. Pretty Happy Halloween, eh, Rasc?

Yes, Kate..very happy indeed.

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