The Story of Four Animals

Act II

Scene 2

(Lights up; Same setting as Act I, scene II; Crystal comes in stage left; Stops center stage; Pacing)

Crystal (Angry): How dare that, that, dog stop me from telling Milo the truth yesterday! Ugh!

(Stops Pacing; head down; Dodger enters stage left)

Dodger: You better calm down Crystal, too much worrying is bad for you.

(Crystal looks up; Runs toward Dodger; Dodger backs up and trips over a trashcan; Crystal pins him down)

Crystal (Angry): You no good a counting dog! Dismissing me in front of Milo! Telling me to leave like that! Give me one good reason for not calling the ally cats on you.

Dodger (Surprised): What are you doing? (Trying to get up; Crystal pushes him down again) Come on, let me up and I will explain why I am here.

(Crystal thinking; Steps back; Dodger gets up; Shaking)

Dodger: Thanks, I think. (Sets trash can back up) 

Crystal: Don't mention it...Ever. (Still not letting her guard down) Now why are you here?

Dodger: Well, I was just passing through town and thought I would stop by for a visit. Is that so wrong?

(Seeing no threat from him, Crystal relaxes; But is still hesitant)

Crystal (Upset): No, you just made me so mad the other day! And what's a wild coydog like yourself doing in a town like this anyway? I thought all you wild dogs don't trust people.

(Walking downstage center; Dodger following)

Dodger: Look, I'm sorry for not letting you talk to Milo the other day. He just can't know the truth; it would ruin him! And we don't trust people, but I had to see you; so it was worth the risk.

Crystal (Understanding): Ok, so back to the topic at hand. Why can't I tell Milo? He has the right to know!

Dodger (Defensively): Are you deaf? Let me try saying it slower, he cannot know! It was such a long time ago and we shouldn't bring it up. (Looking away) Not yet at least.

(Walking stage left; Stops; Crystal comes up behind him)

Crystal: Why not yet? He's 9 years old! His owners just celebrated his birthday last week. (Head down) Milo told me so himself.

Dodger (Turns to face her): I get he's much older now, but he just wouldn't understand.

Crystal (Angry): Understand what? The fact that you took him from me when he was just a kitten? You came like a thief in the night and stole him from me!

(Dodger walking stage right; Crystal following)

Dodger: I did no such thing! He wondered away from you, it's not my fault you can't keep track of your kids.

Crystal (Annoyed): Oh sure! He just happened to wander away from me, walk across town, and go into the woods. How dumb do you think I am? I remember that night well. You snuck in here, and took him from me when my back was turned getting food. I smelled the scent of dog when I came back. (Dodger looking away) Oh you don't believe me? You want more proof? Well here you go! (Turns and heads upstage right; Dodger following; They stop at a trashcan; Crystal pushes it aside; Dodger looks around)