A Dad And A Dog Owner

Where is Farky?

Farky has reached the CBD.

He has followed the scent of the string to the foot of the stairs to the office.

But the street door is closed.

Faithful Farky sits down on the pavement to wait for an emergence.

People pass by. ( It's the city ).

A girl with pink hair and a nose ring.

A man with tight pants and a phone.

A kid on a scooter.

A woman with a cherub.

She stops at the door.

The cherub steps on Farky's front paw deliberately.

Oweee! yelps Farky

I saw that, Terence, says Belle. Now pat him. Say sorry.

Terence pats Farky. Says sorry.

Hypocrisy. Belle is teaching Terence the art.

Belle opens the door.

Farky darts up the stairs, followed by Belle and Terence.

The door of the office is open.

Farky dashes in, and hurls himself towards Sweezus.

Sweezus steps out of the way.

Farky hits his head on the desk leg. That shuts him up for a while.

This is the new Farky, I gather, says Vello.

Not like the old Farky, says David. Clumsy.

Hi everyone, says Belle et Bonne entering the office with Terence. Did that dog come in here?

Yes! says Terence, seeing Farky flat out on the carpet.

Leave him! says Belle et Bonne. Honestly. I can't take my eyes off you for a minute.

You're MEAN, says Terence. You never let me do anything.

Well guess what, says Belle et Bonne. I'm giving you back to Sweezus. I'm going out tonight and I need a baby sitter.

Awesome, says Sweezus. How about we go out for a burger? You, me and Arthur.

Yippee! says Terence. But where is SHE going?

Never mind, says Belle et Bonne, straightening Terence's side flaps and dusting off his shorts.

I'll see you tomorrow. Be good.

She heads off down the stairs.

What about this dog? says David. He can't stay here. We're going out too.

Farky is stirring.

Sweezus looks at Farky, then Terence.

The dead weight of responsibility settles like a brick on his shoulders.

This is like being a dad. And a dog owner.

(But fuck it. How hard can it be? And anyway, he has Arthur to help him).