at the vet's

Some people can be a little too sentimental with pets

 Jonathan was sitting on a bench in the neon-lit corridor of the veterinarian’s office. His elbows were resting on his knees, his head in his hands, eyes fixed on the ground, following the progress of an ant dragging a crumb and doing the moon walk. That morning, Jonathan had found his beloved cat lying by the entrance door, barely breathing. Heart pounding, he’d rushed her to the vet’s.

The swinging doors at the end of the corridor opened and a young doctor came striding out in his unbuttoned white uniform, a stethoscope draped over his shoulders. Jonathan looked at him expectantly. The doctor smiled thinly and stretched his hand.

“Dr. Mortis. Rhyger Mortis”

“Hello, Doctor. What’s the news?” asked Jonathan in a tremulous voice. Dr. Mortis shook his head and tried to look sympathetic.

“I’m afraid there was nothing I could do for your cat. I’m sorry for your loss”.

Jonathan swiftly put his head in his hands and started to sob uncontrollably. Dr. Mortis patted him on the back like a mother trying to burp her baby. He took him gently by the arm and ushered him into his office. Overwhelming grief in public always embarrassed him. 

Jonathan raised his head. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes red-rimmed and snot was streaming from his nostrils. Gross, if you ask me.

“What.. what.. k.. ki.. killed her, D..Doc?” (Oh, God! Pathetic, I know).

Dr. Mortis offered him a tissue and said “Curiosity”.

Author's Note

just a tiny little thing for fun. been quite lethargic of late, so I hope this'll help me get back on track.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is hilarious! Everything clicks for me this time (despite being one of those "too sentimental" ones!) I love the doctor's name, perfectly spelled to both hide & reveal. I loved the ant doing the moon walk. I love the pat on the back like mother burping baby. I love the realistic depiction of snotty cry, along with snide observation. Last & certainly not least, your twist was perfectly executed & funny as hell.

[Woody]

awww B! I'm chuffed as nuts. thanks a bunch. you're a doll :) I know how much you love animals so I made this one die peacefully in its sleep.

[barleygirl]

Didn't mean to chuff yer nuts, but I hope it was pleasurable! *tee! hee!*

[Woody]

my wife's just walked in and wanted to know why I had a stupid grin fixed on my face. does that mean pleasurable?

[Vidya Bacchus]

Hahaha I did know that curiosity killed the cat and Doctor Rigor Mortis lol.I have missed reading your stuff Woody.This was great as per usual and made me laugh so your work here is done lol :)

[Woody]

aaah so sweet of you Vid. I'm happy as a lark :)))

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome Sir Woody .It was my pleasure :)

[Marie]

I noticed you weren't writing, and I'm glad to see you back. I caught the allusion to Dr.Rhyger Mortis, of course.

I would certainly cry if something happened to one of my cats.

[Woody]

thank you very much Marie. yes, I guess I'm back :)
as long as your cats are not curious, you have nothing to fear. otherwise Dr. Mortis would be rubbing his hands with glee.

[Marie]

Sara just climbed on the printer and started it...she's very curious...

[Woody]

uh-uh!
Sara, that's a nice name. it never fails to remind me of Bob Dylan's song.

[Wayne Rockmore]

This is a nice, short, simple story. I liked it. The last line was an effective conclusion. It lightened it up a bit and made me smile. When I began reading I thought it was going to be a somber, depressing story of a dead pet. It sort of is, but with a welcome addition of irony and some black humor.

[Woody]

thanks a lot wayne. glad you found it humourous. actually, I never write somber stories. life is doing that pretty well.

[Tom]

Kept me enthralled right to the end and what a sucker punch that was.....fell for it hook, line and sinker!

Brilliant !!

[Woody]

haha thank you very much Tom. glad you liked it.