30lb. Mouse

Erin and I were in the basement watching Arthur crawl around, bulldozing over everything in his path when we heard a noise coming from the air ducts. The noise was that tell-tale sound of little feet scurrying.

Erin: What's that noise?

Ryan: Probably a mouse coming in for the winter.

Erin: We can't have a mouse.

Ryan: We might. He was probably cold.

[silence (except for Arthur) waiting to hear the sound again]

Erin: Where is it?

Ryan: Probably came down the furnace vent and is crawling around.

Erin: You know that vent on the floor is open.

Ryan: It's an intake. He's probably on the other side of the filter.

Erin: I'm going upstairs. [scoops up Arthur and goes upstairs]

[a few seconds later]

Erin: Ryan, get up here; you have to see this!



Henry: Cheerios raining.

[later that day on the phone]

Nate: Well, now the food is there for when the mouse does come.