And Then There Was One (2019)

Chapter 9 - Vladdy Namestnikov and Yanni Gourde

New York City, New York

July 1, 2019

Sunlight filters into the living room of a medium sized apartment on the corner of the famous Central Park in New York City. The rays strike the beautifully clean and well-groomed coat of a white Bengal tiger, Yanni Gourde. Birds chirp in the background, coming from the vast park across the street.

"Almost done, Yanni," a blond man, Vladislav Namestnikov (AKA: Vladdy), with boyish wispy locks whispers as he runs a blue handled brush along the big cat's fur pelt. He hums a broadway-style show song as he finishes up the grooming session. "It's a good thing I'm wearing white pants with a white furred tiger."

Yanni, the white tiger, holds his head up proudly and smiles. "Butterflies."

The man giggles and hugs the tiger. "I love you Yanni!" The rays of sunlight hitting his characteristic shimmering silver tiara on his head. He releases his hug of his pet tiger and sets down the brush on the table. Then he heads for the balcony as he pushes the expandable sleeves of a loose-fitting, button-up dressy pink shirt.

He steps outside and grabs the railing looking out at the scenery before him. He can see the treetops of the park, full of green for the summer. One of his favorite months of the year, because of the warmth!

He grips the rail and begins to sing out:

"Oh, oh, oh, good morning New York!

Now I know that once upon a time

I didn't like you or how big you are

But every night

I can't help but realize it's a hockey dream!

The media's always around

But that's just how it is...

Good morning New York!!"

Yanni pads out and sits down loyally as his side. "Vladdy, you're singing again..."

Vladdy spins to him. "Because I'm just so happy!! Today is the day! Finally, I'm going on a date with him and--" He spins back around, continuing his song:

"In New York City, love is around the corner

There's no other city like it

With a romance story meant to last

I'm not meaning to diss Tampa

But I'm in the most romantic place in the world!

I can be someone here

Fall in love with someone here

I can be happy here!

For, just the other day, I was skating

And he just so happened to be skating there too

We got to talking and how he liked my tiara

He said 'Don't go far--'

And now we're gonna go out on a date

Yanni, isn't that just great?!"

Yanni nods. "That's Butterflies...but really, everytime you get super excited about something, you break out into song..."

Vladdy spins back around and grabs Yanni's paws, dancing him around the balcony. "It's a happy, happy day for me!!"

Yanni's tongue lolls out of his mouth and gets into the song, feeling the rhythm rushing up his paws.

"I met this Finnish man named Ville,