Cat and Dog

You're on the (link-reveal: "last leg")[(show:?1)] of your Hitch-Hike Across The USA trip! |1)[You find yourself in the Nevada desert, making your way back to California. You've last been dropped off in a small town, and decided to (link-reveal: "hike")[(show:?2)] someway to enjoy these last few days.] |2)[ The trail you've been following eventually leads you to a highway, headed towards southern California. You walk along the shoulder, whistling and waiting for the next car to [[pass by->dog]].]

When you hear the first car in hours approach, you instinctively put your thumb up. Turning your head, you (link-reveal: "blink: ") [ Is that a (link-reveal: "dog ...")[ //in the drivers seat??// Keep your thumb [[up->dog car]] Put your thumb [[down->cat]]]]

As it gets closer, you see the (link-reveal: "paws")[(show:?1)] of a golden retriever on the steering wheel, turning to pull over. Baffled, surprised and awestricken, you walk over to the car door. |1)[Panting, the (link-reveal: "dog")[(show:?2)] rolls down the window.] |2)[//A dog?! Driving a car?? I can't believe my eyes,// you (link-reveal: "exclaim")[(show:?3)].] |3)[As soon as the words finish coming out of your mouth, you notice that the dog is obviously (link-reveal: "offended")[(show:?4)] by what you said.] |4)[//Typical,// the dog responds. You find yourself wanting to [[apologize->apologize to dog]] to the dog. But why would you? It's [[just->offend]] a dog!]

You continue walking down the road. Your mind is ''full'' of questions: Where did the dog come from? Where is the dog going? ''What is going on?'' You find yourself discussing these thoughts aloud when your interrupted by the (link-reveal: "hum")[(show:?1)] of another vehicle. |1)[This time, you (link-reveal: "turn")[(show:?2)] to look whose driving before you stick out your thumb.] |2)[//A cat??! No way. What's going (link-reveal: "on")[(show:?3)]?//] |3)[You stick your thumb [[up->cat car]]. But, what is going on? You might want to put it [[down->pass]]?]

//Sorry,// you start //it's been a couple days since I've talked to or seen someone. I would love to hitch a ride if possible.// You're trying to make it to SoCal, you tell the dog. //No worries, friend, I get that all the time. Some ruff terrain out here, why don't you hop in?//, the dog responds. You smile gratefully, and [[hop in->dogcar]]

//Wow! I really just cannot believe my eyes. What a good boy you must be driving around the desert all by yourself//, you go on. //I find this patronizing and quite frankly, I do not have the time for humans like you//, the dog responds. As you pull out your phone, the dogs already rolled up the window and on the road. Aw shucks, you missed your chance to take a picture and hitch a [[ride->cat]]

//I'm Arthur, by the way. It's nice to have some company again//, the dog introduces himself. You respond with a smile and introduce yourself. You tell her that you've been traveling for the past few months and are on the last leg of your trip home. Arthur rolls down the window and sticks his head out for a moment. You can't help but feel nostalgic; he looks so much like your dog Spot. You miss him. Spot loved to be pet on the head. Right in the center. Instinctively, you reach out your hand to [[pet->pet]] his head. You hesitate, maybe you [[shouldn't->no pet]].

You (link-reveal: "hold")[(show:?1)] your breath as the car approaches. |1)[The window rolls (link-reveal: "down")[(show:?2)].] |2)[A middle-aged, black with white paws cat turns to you. //Cat got your tongue?//, the (link-reveal: "cat")[(show:?3)] says.] |3)[You can't help but let out a small laugh. This could be a really fun ride! Before you step in, you consider taking a video of the site. It could go viral! Do you [[reach->offend cat]] for your phone or let it [[be->catcar]]? ]

Hours have gone by and you still haven't seen anyone except the cat and the dog. //What's going on? Am I becoming delirious?// Reaching for your waterbottle you realize that its been leaking. //Gosh darn it, now I don't have any water?// You decide that at this point, your close enough to home so you call an Uber to the nearest bus station to take you (link-reveal: "home")[(show:?1)]. |1)[''THE END'']

As soon as your hand touchs the soft fur on his head, he ducks. //Excuse me? What are you doing?// he growls. //Oh gosh!// you apologize immediately. //I'm so sorry, you just look so much like my- ... this other dog I know who loved to have his head pet.// //I see...// he responds warily. *silence* You feel guilty, but what do you say? You want to [[start->convo]] a conversation. Or do you [[hold->silence]] your toungue, not wanting to make it any worse?

You decide not to pet him. Arthur being a talking (and driving!) dog makes he seem a little too human to pet. //Tired from all that hiking huh?//, Arthur notices. //Yeah, it's been one heck of a trip.// You tell him about you've been travelling for the past couple of months. Out of the blue, he asks you to scratch his ear. //There's just been this one itch I can never get with my paws on the wheel//, he says. Since he's asked, you gladly scratch him behind the ear. What a good boy! You notice the empty tennis ball cans in the back seats. Slowly but surely you've made it to the nearest [[convenience store->store]]

//What do you say, I'll treat you to something at the next town?// you say. His ears perk up at the word treat. //Seems like we've gotten to an awkward start and I'd like to make it up to you//, you continue. He lets out a small bark in agreement. //Why not? It's always a treat yourself kind of mood//, he replies. And slowly but surely, you make your way to the next available [[convenience store->store]]

In the warm car and silence. You [[doze->wake up]] off.

You wake up on a bench, in a small roadside town. //Aw shoot// you think to yourself //I guess I'll have to find another ride.// The lingering image of the driving dog sticks in your mind as you head off in the distance. ''THE END''

At the store, you find some items you think Arthur may like. Do you buy the [[bone->bone]] or some [[tennis balls->tennis balls]]?

Stepping into the car, you start to (link-reveal: "shake off")[(show:?1)] the initial surprise of a driving cat. |1)[//Okay//, you (link-reveal: "think")[(show:?2)], //I've seen some crazy things today but as long as I make it home okay, I'll have a crazy story to tell.//] |2)[Like the (link-reveal: "curious")[(show:?3)] cat you are, you find yourself wondering who this cat is, where its coming from, where its going?] |3)[ It's been silent since you got in the car so why not ask some [[questions->questions]]. Then again, the cat looks deep in thought (somehow), so it could be better to [[wait->space]].]

//So what's your name? Where you headed?// //I'm Jack, and I'm just going places, you know? For fun.// You start to ask her another question but she drowns you out by turning on the radio. //We're taking a break at the next town!// she shouts over the music. You head to [[town->cat town]] for a quick cat nap.

Besides exchanging brief greetings as you got in the car, the ride has been mostly silent. After about an hour, the cat yawns and turns on the radio. A familiar country song starts playing which you drum your fingers to. The cat starts humming. //By the way, I'm Jack, // she says without turning to look at you. You respond with a smile and introduce yourself. You tell her that you've been traveling for the past few months and are on the last leg of your trip home. //Ah, I see! On an adventure it seems. I'll let you in on a little secret: Nothing is better for an adventure than a good flashlight with a laser pointer.// Confused but entertained you let out a small chuckle. //What purrfect weather for a cat-nap, isn't it? Let's take a break in the next town!// Without much choice, you head to the next [[town->cat town]] to take a break.

While appreciative of the bone, Arthur looks a bit solemn. He tells you that you'll have to make another stop somewhere soon, as you leave the convenience store. As the day turns to the evening, you drift [[asleep->forest]].

Arthur is estatic with his new present. His tail wags like crazy. //I think this would be just great at this party I know of tonight!//, he exclaims. Hmmm, you're not too far from home anymore. Since Arthur wants to party tonight, maybe you should find [[another ride ->leave arthur]] home. On the other hand a [[party->party]] does sound pretty fun. Like how do dogs party?

After a couple more hours of driving, you arrive in a parking lot at near lake. Being somewhat offroad, the lake is secluded and surround by trees. It's a beautiful view! The sun is sitting on the water. //Could you hold onto these for me? I don't have any pockets.// Arthur hands you the keys. As you and Arthur step out of the car, your jaw drops for a moment. There are dogs everywhere! To your left, a group is huddle around the grill, eating and drinking. To your right, there's a group on an old looking couch There's a dock going into the lake, no boats. Arthur introduces you to some other dogs before walking towards the dock. No ones in the lake yet, but Arthur assures you as soon as those tennis balls come out, there will be a crowd. You feel somewhat overwhelmed. Arthur was one talking dog, but now there are at least twenty. Maybe you should just go back to the car and get some [[rest->sleep]] On the otherhand, Arthur really wants you to [[throw->throw]] the tennis balls for them!

You wake up to Arthur pulling over. With a more serious look on his face, he gets out and walks into the woods nearby with his bone. //Don't follow me//, he says just before he closes the door. Before losing sight of him, you think //what could he be doing out there?// [[Follow him->into the woods]]. [[Stay in the car -> stay]].

Since you couldn't resist their puppy eyes, you take the can of tennis balls from Arthur and begin opening it up. The dogs start to line up. You throw a quick toss into the lake and laugh. //So many good boys!// They chase after the ball and jump in the lake. You manage to throw the next ball further but tweak your arm a little in the process. Grabbing your shoulder, you happen to look behind your back and you see another person. //Someone else is here too? Since when?// With the last ball in your hand and the dogs getting out of the water, you're unsure what to do. Do you go to the [[person->pavlov]] behind you or do you quickly toss the [[last ball->no ball]]?

As you leave the gathering, Arthur and the others start to show their puppy eyes, begging you to stay. You tell them that you've had a long day of travel and just want to get some rest. But you decline their requests politely and head back to the Walking back to the car, you notice another human sitting on the couch with some dogs. You go over to [[talk->no ball]] to them.

You follow Arthur and see him digging. He's going to bury the bone! You're thrilled. But in the moon lit night, something seems a little more eerie. You wait impatiently as he digs, [[what->human bones]] is he looking for? Head [[back->forest]] to car

You stay in the car. The moon shines brightly illuminating the surrounding trees. Leaning your head against the car window, you fall asleep. When you wake up, Arthur lets you know which highways you need to take next. You part, bid him farewell and manage to hitch another ride. You make it home in no (link-reveal: "time")[(show:?1)]. |1)[''THE END'']

In the moonlight, Arthur reveals what he's been digging for: a skull. //That's not just any kind of skull, // you think, //that's a human skull//. He lets out a soft but bark, seemingly to show his sorrow. You gasp. Looking more at your surroudings you notice that there's a tiny cross in front of the hole Arthur's been digging. //Paul ... no ... Pavl ... Pavlov!// You're in complete disbelief. Pavlov? As in Ivan Pavlov who used classical conditioning to train his dogs to salivate at the ring of a bell? What's Arthur got to do with [[him->bell rings]]

You quickly reach for your camera; it's in your back pocket. //Wow, you've gotta be kitten me//, the cat hisses at you. The cat has noticed what your up to and is not having it. The cat revs the engine loudly, causing you to fumble and drop your phone. Luckily its not too damaged when you pick it up, but by the time you have your camera ready, the cat's far down the road. ''THE END''

You part with Arthur grabbing the bags from the car. You happen to peak in the back seat and notice a large, dirt covered bag. Strange. You take your seat at a bench outside of the convenince store and wish Arthur a nice travel. As he departs, you're overcome with feelings of disbelief. What a (link-reveal: "crazy")[(show:?1)] day! |1)[''THE END'']

As you get closer, you notice the man is staring you down. You try introducing yourself and ask how he knows the dogs. //My name is Ivan, Ivan Pavlov and these are my dogs.// You gasp. Pavlov, as in the scientist who studied classical condition on dogs and made them salivate at the ring of a bell? Shouldn't he be dead by now? //Yes, I know what you must be thinking, and yes, it really is me. I'll have you know, my research went really well, // he says as he gestures to the dogs around him, //as you can see.// He reaches in his coat pocket and retrieves a small, golden bell. //What most don't know is that not only do these dogs salivate when they hear this bell, but they also get hungry.// He hasn't broken the stare since he started and you feel a wave of unease. //[[Oh no...->know too much]]//

You wake up to a dog licking your cheek. //Aw Spot! Please get off of me, // you sigh and gently push your golden retriver off your lap. It takes you a moment, but eventually you're able to recall the dream you just had. //Huh, weird dream//. You shrug at Spot who's happily wagging his tail at you. You get up and look for your laptop. //Hmmm, could be a good game though// you think aloud as you open up Twine and begin (link-reveal: "typing")[(show:?1)]. |1)[''THE END'']

Jack finds a small patch of grass in the sun and decides to nap there. You both agree to meet back at the car in an hour. You decide to walk around town. You find a pet store. You go in the [[pet store->pet store]].

In the pet store, you find a laser pointer and cat nip. Which do you decide to buy? [[Cat nip->cat nip]], [[laser pointer->laser pointer]]

You leave the store, grab a quick bite from the coffee shop nearby. Since its near time, you head back to the car. As you arrive, you notice that Jack's not there yet so you decide to wait. (link-reveal: "15 minutes pass")[(show:?1)] |1)[(link-reveal: "30 minutes pass")[(show:?2)]] |2)[(link-reveal: "An hour has gone by")[(show:?3)]] |3)[ //Alright, I've waited long enough. I should go [[look->look with cat nip]] for her. But I could also just hitch a ride with [[someone else->find someone else]]. // ]

You leave the store, grab a quick bite from the coffee shop nearby. Since its near time, you head back to the car. As you arrive, you notice that Jack's not there yet so you decide to wait. (link-reveal: "15 minutes pass")[(show:?1)] |1)[(link-reveal: "30 minutes pass")[(show:?2)]] |2)[(link-reveal: "An hour has gone by")[(show:?3)]] |3)[ //Alright, I've waited long enough. I should go [[look->look with laser]] for her. But I could also just hitch a ride with [[someone else->find someone else]]. // ]

A gust of wind rustles the tree branches and you hear faint bells ringing. You look at Arthur. His mouth is dripping in drool. He turns to you. //When did he notice me?// You realize you've seen something you weren't meant [[to->dream]].

You head to the park Jack said she would be napping at. Sure enough, she's there, curled up in a little fur ball in a sunny patch of grass. //Aw, she looks just like Mimi, // you think. How could you be mad about making you wait so long? But eventually, you get tired of waiting and decide you want to wake her up. //Hmm, she's not really responding to me when I'm talking to her//, you think, //maybe I should try [[scaring->scaredy cat]] her awake?//

You leave a note in the windshield wipers for Jack letting her know that you've gone to look for a different ride. As you departs, you're overcome with feelings of disbelief. What a (link-reveal: "crazy")[(show:?1)] day! |1)[''THE END'']

You head to the park Jack said she would be napping at. Sure enough, she's there, curled up in a little fur ball in a sunny patch of grass. //Aw, she looks just like Mimi, // you think. How could you be mad about making you wait so long? But after some waiting, you decide to you want to wake her up. Using the cat nip you bought, you place it near her nose. Her eyes open in an instant. She grabs the cat nip out of your hands with her teeth. //Cat nip! No way. I haven't had this stuff in ages. We're about to have a great time.// Oh shoot, looks like your plan backfired. Instead of waking her up, the cat nip has put her in a daze. //Hmmm, maybe I should startle her [[awake->scaredy cat]]//.

As soon as you hear the ring of the bell, you know what's about to happen. You've seen too much. Acting fast, you realize the tennis ball is still in your pocket. //Oh man, I sure hope this works//, you think as you shout //FETCH!// and chuck the tennis ball as far away from you as you can. You sprint to the car, before Pavlov can catch you. //Good thing Arthur didn't have pockets.// You manage to drive away. Breathing heavily, all you can think of is going (link-reveal: "home")[(show:?1)]. |1)[''THE END'']

You scream as loud as you can. Jack jumps from being startled and leaps into the road. //Haha, very funny. I'm a real scaredy cat, // Jack (link-reveal: "responds")[(show:?1)]sarcastically. |1)[ ''BAM!'' In the blink of an eye, a car out of no where runs her over. \\Oh my gosh, [[what have I done->schroedingers cat]]?\\ ]

//No, no, no, this can't be real!// you exclaim. You run over to Jack to see how badly she's hurt. //Ah, give me a second,// she says. She inhales deeply and in another blink of the eye, she's back to normal. //W-What, h-how...?// you stutter. //I'm (link-reveal: "Schroedinger's cat")[(show:?1)]//, she says with a smirk. //Dead and alive, at the same time//. |1)[''THE END'']