Christmas Shopping

I was planning a nice quiet Saturday afternoon at home today. No stress, just me, the computer, a good book and 3 cats and Mr. Swiss. Mr. Swiss went hunting alone this morning for the week-end shopping and I was busy with my female hobbies - cleaning windows, floors, cooking - the usual enjoyable things we women love to do. Then I suddenly realised there are only a few shopping days left to Christmas. I had to deduct the days when I work, and I still had very few (actually none at all) presents for my loved ones. Ok, the sons are easily dealt with, after all money can buy everything. I decided I had to go into town this afternoon.

It was cold, no it wasn't cold, it was bl***y cold. I did not want to use the car, as I always have to have two empty spaces next to each other when I want to park it in the parking house (big car) so I decided to walk. We have a local train, but it only runs twice in the hour. As it only takes 10-15 minutes to town I decided it was the best solution. I forgot to mention there was a very cold wind as well. I wrapped myself and started on my marathon. I took the camera with me and decided to see if there was anything worth taking a photo of. The photo above is again of our local castle Waldegg with the first chain of the Jura mountains in the background. There are seven chains in all and if you go over all of them you are eventually on the Swiss borders to France and German. As you can see we have no snow up to now in the lowlands, but up in the Jura they had a fair share last week. As long as it stays up there I am not bothered.

On the way I passed our local villa. The owner died a few years back (a rich business man who kept all our taxes nice and low in the village) and his wife has also now died. Although his son inherited it all (there were a few other villas and houses also), It was empty for some time and has now been rented out to another rich business man. When I think of what I have to clean each day, then I think I am glad I didn't inherit or rent a villa, although I am sure my cats would have loved it.

Eventually I reached our town of Solothurn. There were not so many shoppers as usual, but I think it was so cold that they either didn't go into town or were in the various shops and restaurants. My first stop was to get some Christmas cards. I had already sent the cards off to far and distant lands, but forgot that there are some people living a bit nearer, like in Europe, so wandered into the local store. I then met someone I hadn't seen for at least six years, so after a long conversation we parted, decided that when I was retired we must meet some time (in 3 years?) and I bought my Christmas cards. Admittedly the 3 cards I bought were for 3 special people in my life, but at five francs the card I found it a bit steep. However, it is Christmas and good will and all that, so bought them.

For my next task, I had to cross over our river Aare as the shop I wanted to go to was on the other side. Walking across an open footbridge in the freezing cold was not exactly refreshing and I was glad to get to the other side. A photo stop was made - the ripples on the water are genuine and not something done in photoshop.

After finishing my shopping I was wondering whether to get the train back home or walk. As I just noticed the train was departing, I decided there wasn't a big difference in waiting 30 minutes for the next one or walking home, so I took our new footbridge back over the river and walked home.

I passed this house on the way home. It was fairly neglected, until it was bought by someone and renovated. I think it was turned into a sort of appartment house. Anyhow it is a signal that I am on my way home. I eventually got home, tired, not exactly happy, and freezing cold. One of my cats was sitting outside to welcome me home.

Reservoir Cats 23

Fluffy: So where is Tabby being kept? If I am supposed to lead the rescue action, I should have to know where to go.
Long Tail Al: Well as far as we know ‘e’s in the museum and the only way to get in without being noticed is through the sewers and up a ladder into the cellar.
Fluffy: Ok, but someone will have to come with me to show the way.
Long Tail Al: Slimy
Slimy: No boss, not me. I’ve been there once and that was enough. I don’t want that red-eyed geezer looking at me again.
Long Tail Al: Sorry Slimy, but you are the only one who knows where to go in the museum. Just keep yr ‘ead down and don’t look at ‘im.
Fluffy: Well, I think it might be a good idea if Slimy leads me. I just have to follow his scent and that won’t be difficult.
Slimy: Always ‘aving a go at me cause I smell a bit
Nera: I hate to say it, but it’s true Slimy, but you are a brave cat to lead us. I will come along as well
Slimy: Well, that’s a nice fing to say.
Long Tail Al: Yes, well ya see Slimy, Nera is a lady.
Charlie: I will be there to help, in case the lady gets into distress.
Nera: Mr. Charlie I just wonder who will be the cause of the distress if you come too.
Long Tail Al: Yes Charlie, be on your best behaviour, Nera ain’t one of those roof top cats, she’s a lady and ‘as to be treated like one.
Charlie: Now boss, don’t worry. I know ‘ow to treat a lady cat that ‘as a bit of class. Always was a bit partial to the black cats. Look so mysterious.
Nera: Charlie, just keep your paws to yourself and I am sure we will get on well. So let’s go. Slimy you in front.

Slimy: Now just follow me down this gulley and take a jump at the end they we will end up at the side of the sewer. OK Fluffy
Fluffy: I’m with you Slimy. Just stay in front and there won’t be any problems.
Charlie: Managing ok Miss Nera, shall I give a helping paw
Nera: Thank you Mr. Charlie, but I can cope quite well on my own.
Slimy: Now just follow the side of the sewer, but be careful it can be a bit slippery and we don’t want anyone falling in now do we?
Fluffy: No problem Slimy, I can still smell you in front
Slimy: Now we all ‘ave to go up these steps ‘ere. At the end there is a tunnel which goes into the museum cellar. Wiv me?
Nera: Yes, no problem.
Charlie: I’ll stay at the end in case anyone falls down the steps, then I can catch them
Nera: Don’t worry Charlie, I won’t be falling down to fall into your open paws.
Charlie: Now that’s a shame ain’t it.
Nera: Hisssssssssssss
Fluffy: Think we are now in the cellar, smells a bit less damp and more from old stuff.
Slimy: Yea, well that’s where they keep some of the stuff they exhibit in the museum now and again. I was always a bit partial to the statue of that cat there. Put’s me remind of one of me ancestors.
Nera: That is the Egyptian goddess Bast – she was quite popular in her day, but somehow I don’t think she was in your line Slimy.
Fluffy: Bast was in all our lines. She was the beginning of the cat dynasties as we know it today.

Hummmmmmm
Charlie: What was that for a noise
Fluffy: According to my extra sharp hearing that I now have since not seeing anything any more, it seems to come from the direction opposite.
Nera: Well, that’s where that Bast statue is. But just look at it.
Slimy: Oh gawd, it’s all glowing and looking in our direction.
Charlie: I don’t know about that, but I fink its moving as well
Bast: Who mentioned my name and who are you little cats
Slimy: It’s talking, oh dear, fink I’ll go back ‘ome
Nera: You will do no such thing, Slimy. Without you we would never find the way.
Bast: Are you trying to rescue the cat that is being held captive by the Orientals?
Charlie: Just a minute, I don’t get this. You’r supposed to be a statue. ‘Ow come you’re talking and blinking your eyes.
Bast: I can do anything I want and when the gods call me I am ready. I have been told to help you in your quest to rescue your Tabby brother. It seems that the Oriental cats are not obeying our laws of respect to one another. They have to be stopped. Which one of you is Fluffy?
Fluffy: That’s me o great Bast
Bast: Good, then you will proceed behind this Slimy cat here and have no fear I will be near to you all. It is better when the Orientals do not see me. Continue on your way and have confidence.

Madame Butterfly: Pablo, did you hear that strange noise down in the cellar.
Pablo: Well come to think of it, a sort of deep voice.
Madame Butterfly: And do us supreme Orientals have deep voices?
Pablo: No Butterfly
Madame Butterfly: Then move your paws and go and have a look. Do I really have to think for everyone around here.
Pablo: I am on my way Butterfly.

Slimy: I can ‘ear a cat coming.

Nera: Charlie go and have a look who it is, but carefully
Charlie: Well it ain’t no lady cat – smells like one of them orientals.
Nera: Let him see you and when he comes down the stairs to chase you, Slimy will lay on the top stair so that he will fall down
Slimy: Who me?
Nera: Yes you
Charlie: ‘allo you skinny Oriental ‘ere I am
Pablo: Now what sort of a town cat are you. Just wait I will get you. Ow, help I tripped over something smelly
Bast: Well done cats. Now go on your way I will deal with this Oriental cat. Oriental freeze
Slimy: Well did ya see that – that Oriental is just laying still just like when ‘e fell down the stairs. Ain’t a movement in ‘im.
Nera: We have just witnessed the powers of Bast the Egyptian cat god. And now we are unbeatable. Fluffy up the stairs into the museum.
Madame Butterfly: And what do we have here. A little fluffy cat who wants to save Tabby I think. Look Tabby what has been sent to rescue you.
Tabby: Fluffy, be careful they are very sly and crafty.
Madame Butterfly: Mr. Wang, I think we need your powers
Mr. Wang: Now what do we have here. Little Fluffy cats are my favourite victims. Just look into my eyes Fluffy cat.
Fluffy: Well I think I know where your eyes are so I’m looking in your direction. What next?
Mr. Wang: And now you will obey what we say to you. You will now attack the Slimy cat standing behind you.
Fluffy: I definitely will not attack any cats that are helping me to rescue Tabby. Slimy is my friend and will help me. Slimy don’t look at this freak of a cat called Wang. Look away.
Mr. Wang: I have never been called a freak in my life, just who are you to call me a freak. I said attack.
Fluffy: Attack yourself. I don’t like cats with red eyes.
Madame Butterfly: Just what is going on here. Pablo, Pablo
Charlie: And you can call for your Pablo until your whiskers drop off. He is having a sleep in the cellar.
Nera: Come Tabby, follow me, these Orientals have no power any more.
Mr. Wang: Who says that
Bast: I do

Taps was back in the office

Taps, my friends dog was back in the office yesterday. I made a short film (must remember not to talk so much when filming). He seems to be making himself at home slowly and quite enjoying himself. He has a nice sleep under the desk, gets lots of pats on the head from the girls in the office - he has moved in. He is now nine years old and is some sort of a retriever, but I am not so good on dog races. He has a new toy.

He also seemed to enjoy being photographed and let me take a close up of him. He definitely didn't disturb the work in the office. He is a very well behaved dog and most of the time was having a quiet lay down. He did attend one meeting, but didn't have much to say. It seemed that he was quite partial to croissants in the morning break.

Further to my blog yesterday in connection with the Swiss political situation, the story goes further today. The lady that became the candidate to replace the person that was no longer voted into the parliament, said she would give her decision this morning at eight o'clock whether she would accept or not. I had an appointment at the docs at 08.15 so I had just arrived at the parking house at 8.00 and was sitting in my car listening to the radio. Two cars away from me there was a young lady sitting in her car and I was sure she was doing the same. All's well that ends well, and the female candidate for the seat in our government said she would accept. I got out of my car at the same time as the other young lady who was sitting in her car and we both laughed and exchanged a few words on our satisfaction about the new member of the government. There is now quite a dispute about the whole thing in Switzerland.

Mr. Swiss did try to explain the details to me, but it is all so complicated. Someone did ask me how comes that you can just vote anyone into the government in Switzerland. Mr. Swiss said it is just part of the democracy that we are a free country and everything can be put to the vote. This makes the Swiss democracy a bit slow moving sometimes. If the government decide on something and you collect enough signatures against it then we all go voting to decided yes or no, with the result that we have 6 or 7 voting week-ends per year. Luckily we can also vote by post.

Of course to get popular enough to be voted into the government means you have to have a political party behind you, but it is possible and often happens in the annual government elections that always take place a couple of weeks before Christmas. If anyone is interested about what has happened now, you can read all about it on this link and click on the related stories, then you get the whole thing.

I am not very political really, I just know what I like and don't like. There is always a bit of excitement amongst us females in Switzerland when one gets voted into the government. Don't forget in Switzerland women only got the vote in 1971 and it is now the first time that 3 of the 7 members of the government are women.

Politics in Switzerland

Yes we do have them, although not very well known in the wide world. After all it only needs six hours to travel from West to East and four from North to South in Switzerland (by train or road of course, if the mountains were not in the way it would go a lot quicker).

Once a year we have voting for our country's government. Basically there are 7 ministers, all carefully chosen and they have to be from certain parties. Sort of 2 Socialists, 2 Conservative, 1 Christian and 2 peoples party. It is a bit of a thing with this people's party. Many years ago they were known as the farmer's party and it was good. The farming regions had their representatives in parliment and had their say of things - bearing in mind that a great deal of Switzerland is occupied by cows and therefore many farms. to go with them. However over the years a business man appeared on the political scene representing the people's party. He had very right wing views and decided it was time to get rid of certain foreign elements in the population. This is always popular with any country and many people decided he was our new "saviour". I took this all with a pinch of salt. At this time there were 2 from the Christian party in the government and 1 belonging to the people's party. This person became so popular with some rightwing elements of the Swiss population that he was voted as No. 2 of the people's party into the government and one of the christian party had to go.

This is the man I mean. Now today we had a nice little sensation in our houses of parliament at the annual voting of the parliament ministers. He was deselected. He did not obtain enough votes from the members of parliament to maintain his post as Minister. My husband phoned me at work to tell me the good news. Although loved by many in our country, not by all and I do not belong to his fans. At the same time a new minister for the parliament was voted for. A female who is very well-known, liked by many and her father was one of our earlier ministers, but now retired. She also belongs to the people's party, but as with all parties there are moderate politicians and extreme politicians. She is moderate and very popular. Our little country had one little problem. The lady in question did not expect to be voted as a minister today and she was not in the houses of parliament but somewhere else, so they had to find her and tell her. This took four hours (in such a small country). The second problem is would she accept or not. She has now been asked officially and said she needs time to think about it and will give her answer tomorrow. So we are all waiting for her answer.

If she says no (which I hope she doesn't) it means that the comedy starts again from the beginning. If the gentleman on the poster above is again suggested, it could be that his faithful disciples decide that everyone must be there to place their vote, and he gets in all the same.

Excitement in Switzerland, but like any other land, politics is just a dirty business some way or the other. Here is a picture of the lady in question - will she or will she not accept???

Reservoir Cats 22

Nera: Hello Bobinette, I don’t seem to see so much of you these days.
Bobinette: ‘allo Nera. Well you know since we solved our problems with Mr. Grey, I ‘ave been able to concentrate on organising my own life
Nera: Yes I did notice you seem to be seeing a lot of Romeo lately.
Bobinette: Just let us say we are warming up our old friendship once again.
Nera: Yes, it does notice a little bit. Will you give them Italian or French names?
Bobinette: We ‘ave enough time to decide. We ‘ave to see ‘ow many kittens arrive first of all. Romeo told me to give you a message from Big Tom. He wants to see you and Fluffy this evening. It seems to be quite urgent.
Nera: Now that sounds interesting. Fluffy can you come over here and stop sniffing at that mouse. Either eat it or leave it.
Fluffy: Well I was thinking of eating it, what do you want?
Bobinette: Big Tom wants to see you and Nera this evening.
Fluffy: Big Tom wants to see me, but I didn’t even know he knew that I exist.
Nera: Big Tom knows all of us, don’t forget he is gatto di tutti gatti.
Bobinette: I will be seeing Romeo this evening so you can accompany me up to Big Tom’s villa on the ‘ill.

Romeo: Ciao bella Bobinette, I was thinking about you today
Bobinette: And I was thinking you too my Romeo
Big Tom: When you two lovecats have finished, perhaps we can get down to business. I see you have brought Nera and Fluffy with you.
Romeo: Gatto di tutti gatti, your wish is our command.
Big Tom: Ok, ok, let’s not overdo it. We are not in the gangster films now are we?
Romeo: That reminds me Big Tom. You may have perhaps noticed that Bobinette and myself will have our first family in a couple of months. We were wondering if you would give us the honour of becoming godfather to our first born.
Big Tom: We will see Romeo. You have always been a faithful consigliere and the family, and I will consider it. First of all we must deal with the problems that have arisen in the town.
Nera: Why can’t the cats in town deal with their own problems?
Big Tom: I was hoping they would, but it seems that the Oriental cats have moved in and based on the experiences that my cousin Lucky Catiano had with them in Chicago, I have decided we must help, otherwise after they take over the town, they will start moving in on my territory.
Fluffy: Mr. Big Tom, Gatto di tutti gatti, sir, why did you ask for me to come.
Big Tom: Fluffy, just call me Big Tom like all the other cats. And stop shaking, you don’t have to be afraid of me. Only the cats that deceive me have something to fear from me.
Nera: How can Fluffy help.
Big Tom: It seems that the Orientals are being lead by a very strong cruel cat called Madame Butterfly. She lives in the museum with her partner Pablo who does everything she orders him to, but the worst is to come. Mr. Wang is also there and he is a very powerful cat. He has the gift of making other cats obey all commands given by Madame Butterfly. One look in his eyes and the cats are hynotised. He has already put the Black Paw gang under the control of Madame Butterfly and the worst is to come. By hypnotising Slimy, Long Tail Al’s adopted son, he has managed to capture Tabby who is now in the museum with the Oriental cats. Slimy was led to believe that Madame Butterfly was his boss and brought Tabby to the museum. Now Tabby is being held as a hostage until Long Tail Al surrenders and gives the power over the town cats to Madame Butterfly.
Nera: My half sister Tabby. How can I help Big Tom?
Gladys: Hello Nera, Bobinette, Romeo. I had the idea of asking Fluffy to help us. I think he is the only cat that would escape the power of Mr. Wang’s eyes.
Nera: Because he is blind.
Big Tom: Exactly Nera, we think this would be the only solution to setting Tabby free. Then the Orientals would have no threat to the town cats under the leadership of Long Tail Al and they could organise an attack.
Fluffy: This is certainly a good idea, but I am not so sure that I would be able to do what you want. I am only a small cat and not so big and powerful as the others.
Big Tom: Fluffy I am sure you won’t disappoint me. Nera tells me that you are one of the best mice hunters here, so if you can sniff a mouse out, then I am sure you can sniff your way around Madame Butterfly and Mr. Wang.
Gladys: And Long Tail Al with his cats will be helping you.
Big Tom: Nera I think you should now depart for the town to Long Tail Al. I told him you would be coming with Fluffy so he is expecting you.
Nera: Are you ready Fluffy. I will come with you and stay in town to see if I can help.
Fluffy: Tabby doesn’t really like me and he isn’t my favourite cat either, but he is Nera’s half sister and I will do all I can to help.

Long Tail Al: Slimy go and see who’s at the door if ya find yer way there.
Slimy: Why shouldn’t I find the way.
Long Tail Al: Well I ain’t sure that yer brain is working right after meeting that Mr. Wang bloke.
Slimy: If someone threw you in a fountain, I can tell you everyfing works after. I ain’t never been so wide awake for a long time. Ok Long Tail Al, I’ll go and ‘ave a look.
Long Tail Al: Well if it ain’t Nera and ‘er little friend Fluffy. Just who I wanted to see.
Nera: Good evening Long Tail Al. Gladys sends her best wishes and says that Little Al is doing fine, although a little bit bossy with the other kittens. He is always the first to have a drink, pushes the other kittens out of the way when it’s feeding time and likes to roam around in places he shouldn’t be in.
Long Tail Al: Now that is good news. Takes after his dad, don’t ‘e. I’m sure he is going to be a good successor one of these days. Did Big Tom say why I needed your ‘elp.
Nera: Yes he did. You all seem to think that Fluffy could be the solution to your problems.
Fluffy: What smells so strange around here. Something like a mixture of sewer and dead mice.
Slimy: Will yer stop sniffing around me fur.
Long Tail Al: Well one fing is sure, Fluffy certainly ‘as a good sense of smell, although you can always smell Slimy before you see ‘im.
Fluffy: Do all town cats smell like that.
Slimy: I beg your pardon. I ‘ad a bath in a fountain yesterday.
Long Tail Al: And that wasn’t yer wish was it. To answer your question, I meself don’t smell, and Charlie always smells good, but ‘e’s always after the ladies ain’t ‘e.
Nera: So can we get down to business. What is the plan.
Long Tail Al: Yea, well we ain’t really got one yet. We thought we might put our ‘eads together and make one.
Fluffy: Big deal. You drag me all the way from my nice comfy home in the country to a smelly cat and noisy town and you can’t even tell me what to do. Looks like I will have to start taking things over. Now listen cats, as I am the secret weapon we will do it my way.

2nd Saturday of Advent in the town

Last Saturday morning we did our usual shopping in the supermarket and then had to go into town. I had some business to deal with as the boss of our first aid section in the village has a market stand where she sells some of the products of her farm and I am the accountant of the group and had to give her some documents. Hubby was busy in the local bookshop so we split up. After I had finished with my stuff I walked back to the parking house where we arranged to meet. On the way I took my camera out and started capturing a few Christmassy things in town. The marrows are actually a remainder of Autumn, but can still be bought at the market in all sizes and shapes.

Christmas trees and candles had also found their place on the Saturday morning market. Generally the market is just for the sale of groceries and farm produce, but towards Christmas it gets full of the spirit of the season.

For example the mistletoe had been gathered and was waiting for customers. It grows quite a lot in this area. The actual plant is a parasite and grows on larger trees. In Autumn you often see bunches of it on the top branches of the trees that have already lost their leaves.

Would anyone like an angel? We seem to have plenty in Switzerland, at all different prices, but not genuine ones. If you are willing to pay a bit more, you can even get them with colourful wings.

It has become fashion to hang a Christmas wreath on the doors. We have a smaller one hanging on our door at the moment. It usually spends the year in the cellar only to be used at Christmas.

Even flower pots seem to have their use at Christmas.

Candles are used a lot at Christmas here. It is custom to put four candles of the same colour together, decorated with fir tree branches or in another sort of arrangement as the four candles above. On each Sunday of the advent (last Sunday was the 2nd Advent Sunday), one candle more is lighted until you get to the Christmas week when all four candles are burning at once. Since the cats are around we don't do it so much any more, you never know what they might get up to.

Eventually I quickly put my camera away and hurried onto the car park and guess what, Mr. Swiss was already waiting for me, which didn't surprise me.

Reservoir Cats 21

Slimy: Allo boss. Nice day today ain’t it. Orientals ‘ave gone.
Long Tail Al: Well I ain’t seen any so I suppose they ‘ave.
Slimy: Thought I would call around to see if Tabby fancied a walk around town. What wiv all that Oriental bovver, he ain’t ‘ad a chance to have a good look around yet. What about it Tabby.
Tabby: Well if you think it’s safe enough I don’t mind going. What do you say dad.
Long Tail Al: Oh, go along and enjoy yerself. About time you ‘ad a look at the surroundings, but Slimy be careful wiv ‘im, ‘e ain’t used to the rough ways some of us cats ‘ave in the town. Don’t go down the sewers wiv ‘im, ‘e might get lost.
Slimy: Well I thought ‘e might like to see a bit of the classy side of town, like the town ‘all and all the trimmings. Even the museum might be an idea now that the Orientals ain’t there any more.
Long Tail Al: Are you sure?
Slimy: Oh yea, I saw them all leave this morning on their way to the ‘arbour.
Long Tail Al: Ok, but make sure you are back for feeding time. Charlie caught four rats yesterday evening and said ‘e can’t eat all of ‘em, so ‘e gave me three.
Tabby: Bye dad, see you later.

Tabby: Slimy are you sure the coast is now safe and the Oriental cats are gone. I didn’t like the look of that Madame Butterfly or Mr. Wang at all.
Slimy: Now if I say they gone, then they ‘ave gone. And ‘ow comes you ‘eard of Mr. Wang and Butterfly?
Tabby: Well, I saw you talking to them.
Slimy: Oh ya did, did ya. Well as a matter of fact they ain’t so bad as what they say. Two very nice friendly cats and they told me that they enjoyed their ‘oliday ‘ere. So ‘ere we are Tabby, after you.
Tabby. But this isn’t the town hall, it’s the museum.
Slimy: Yea I know, but the museum is nearer, we go afterwards to the town ‘all.
Tabby: Stop pushing me Slimy.
Madame Butterfly: Now now, no arguments please. And you must be Tabby, the son and heir of Long Tail Al.
Tabby: Who are you? And how comes you know who I am.
Madame Butterfly: Well my servant and helper Slimy was told to bring you along and here you are. Slimy you may go now, but not too far, I may have a few other orders for you.
Slimy: Yes Madame, your wish is my command.
Tabby: Can someone tell me what is happening here. Slimy you are a disappointment and a traitor. It seems that you not only smell now and again, but tell lies.
Madame Butterfly: So Tabby, you can’t blame Slimy, he is now under my power and will do all I require of him, thanks to the help of my good friend Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang: Did you call, Butterfly. Shall I put some influence on this strange tabby cat here to make him obey our wishes.
Tabby: I beg your pardon. No, No-one will influence me. I am the son of Long Tail Al and stand under the protection of Big Tom, gatto di tutti gatti. I would be very careful otherwise your 9 lives will become minus nine.
Madame Butterfly: So enough of this stupid discussion. Tabby if I wanted you to obey my wishes, that would be no problem, would it Mr. Wang
Mr. Wang: Not at all, in a minute he would be under my, sorry, our influence.
Madame Butterfly: Yes, Mr. Wang, but it does not serve its purpose. When Long Tail Al realises that you are my hostage, he will do everything to get you back and that is exactly what I want. Slimy, come here.
Slimy: Yes madame.
Madame Butterfly: You will now go to Long Tail Al and tell him that the black paw gang attacked and took Tabby as hostage. You may also make clear to him that I and Mr. Wang, together with Pablo of course, decided not to leave and Tabby is now residing in the museum with us. We will let Long Tail Al know what he is to do to see his precious Tabby alive and well again.
Slimy: Yes madame.

Long Tail Al: Already back Slimy, but where’s me son.
Slimy: Al, I can never forgive myself, but the black paw gang attacked and captured Tabby. He is now in the museum cellar as a prisoner of the Mr. Wang and Madame Butterfly.
Long Tail Al: Slimy I told you to be careful, now we have the problem don’t we? So what am I supposed to do now.
Charlie: Long Tail Al, don’t believe ‘im. I saw ‘im walk wiv Tabby to the museum and ‘e pushed ‘im through the door. Look at ‘im and that far away look in ‘is eyes. There’s somefing wrong somewhere.
Long Tail Al: Slimy are you telling the truth
Slimy: Of course boss.
Long Tail Al: Charlie go and put ‘im in the fountain. That will probably bring ‘im back to our world.
Charlie: Will do boss.
Slimy: No, not that, I ‘ate water.
Charlie: By the time I’ve finished wiv you, you’re gonna ‘ate a lot of other fings to.
Slimy: Cough, cough, splutter splutter. Gawd ‘elp us, where am I? What ‘appened boss. I feel all funny.
Long Tail Al: Well that far away look in your eyes ‘as gone. Now tell me what ‘appened.
Slimy: Well I don’t really know. I fink I done somefing wrong somewhere.
Charlie: I fink you ‘ave as well. What did that Mr. Wang and Madame Butterfly do wiv ya?
Slimy: Well I sort of remember now. They told me what to do, and nofing could stop me doing it. Like they got into me brain.
Long Tail Al: Yea, well that ain’t difficult is it Slimy. The size of your brain, it was a quick job. Now we ‘ave to fink. I’m gonna go and see Big Tom.

Big Tom: Al, back again. Still having problems with the Orientals.
Long Tail Al: Well its going from bad to worse. Now they ‘ave kidnapped Tabby. One of ‘em, Mr. Wang, ‘as started hypnotising the cats. He did it to the black paw gang, starting with Ronnie and Reggie Crat, and now ‘es hypnotised Slimy and through Slimy they managed to get Tabby.
Big Tom: I think we need the advice of an experienced person. Gladys are you busy.
Gladys: No, One Eye Fred has just gone for a walk with the kittens, so I have a few minutes. Big Tom: Did you hear what Long Tail Al just told me.
Gladys: Yes I did, and that is a problem, but I might have a solution.
Long Tail Al: Gladys I would be pleased for any ‘elp. Now I’ve found me lost son, and ‘es gone again.
Big Tom: What’s your solution Gladys.
Gladys: Fluffy, the blind cat down in the country. The one who lives with Nera and Bobinette.
Long Tail Al: And ‘ow is a blind cat gonna ‘elp. I got enough problems with me own cats that can see everyfing.
Big Tom: Think Al. How does Mr. Wang influence the cats.
Long Tail Al: Well ‘e sort of looks at em and then they’e doing what ‘e wants.
Gladys: Exactly Long Tail Al, so how is Mr. Wang going to look into the eyes of a blind cat.
Long Tail Al: Yea, well ya got somefing there.
Big Tom: Well she didn’t go through the training programme at the Kitty Cat Club for nothing. Gladys is a very clever cat.
Big Tom: Thank you Big Tom, but I had a very good teacher.
Long Tail Al: And what was that?
Gladys: Cata hari of course.
Big Tom: Respect. Is the old lady still around.
Gladys: Oh yes, she was my mother.
Long Tail Al: Gladys you surprise me every day. I reckon little Al ‘as got a good start in life with ancestry like that.
Gladys: So I think our next job is to contact Fluffy.