Jane
Jane
Vince, did you clean up like I asked?
Vince is sitting on the floor of Eastside Rescue’s front lobby…
Playing with Peanut, the animal shelter’s newest puppy.
Vince
Vince
I’ll get to it.
I roll my eyes.
I love volunteering at Eastside…
Or I DID, at least, until Vince got assigned here.
I know Vince from school.
He’s always in trouble.
I wasn’t surprised when he got caught shoplifting…
But did that judge have to send him HERE for his community service?
Jane
Jane
Hurry up. The storm is coming.
Vince and I are the only volunteers at Eastside today…
And I’d like to get out of here before the rain starts.
Jane
Jane
Put Peanut back in his kennel and help me close up.
Vince
Vince
In a minute.
He cuddles Peanut, who licks his face.
I sigh and wipe down the front counter.
Jane
Jane
I could really use some help!
Vince
Vince
I AM helping!
He scratches Peanut behind the ears.
Vince
Vince
I’m socializing this good boy!
Just then, a rumble of thunder startles Peanut.
The puppy scurries under the counter and hides.
Rain splatters against the front door.
Rats. Too late.
Jane
Jane
I guess we’re waiting out the storm here.
This is JUST how I wanted to spend the rest of my Saturday afternoon—
Stuck with Vince Meadows.
Thunder roars again…
And the lights go out.
Jane
Jane
Even better.
Just as I find a flashlight…
I hear a wailing noise from outside.
I look at Vince as Peanut barks at the shrill sound.
Vince
Vince
Is that…
Jane
Jane
The town’s tornado siren.
Vince and I stare at each other.
I’m the senior volunteer here…
But I don’t know what to do in an emergency like this.
When the lobby windows start to rattle and shake…
I freeze.
Jane
Jane
What about the animals??
Vince
Vince
This building is strong.
Vince
Vince
The kennels are secure.
Vince
Vince
The animals are as safe as we can make them.
Vince
Vince
We need to be safe, too.
Vince
Vince
We should get to an interior room.
Jane
Jane
The storage room?
Vince
Vince
Yeah. Just let me grab—
Before he can finish, a gust of wind blows open the front door…
Nearly yanking it off its hinges.
Sheets of rain pelt inside.
The sirens are still screaming…
And beyond them I hear something else—
A low, deep, rumbling roar…
As unstoppable as a runaway train.
Jane
Jane
We have to get to the storage room!
Jane
Jane
NOW!
Vince
Vince
One second!
He runs to the counter…
As a little brown blur zips out from underneath.
Jane
Jane
PEANUT!
The frightened puppy slides over the wet tile and darts outside.
Vince
Vince
I have to go after him!
Jane
Jane
Vince, NO!
Jane
Jane
There’s a tornado coming!
Vince
Vince
And you’re okay leaving Peanut outside in that??
Jane
Jane
I…
Vince
Vince
Go to the storage room!
Vince
Vince
I’ll get Peanut!
Jane
Jane
I’m the senior volunteer!
Jane
Jane
I’ll go!
Vince
Vince
No way!
Before I can stop him…
Vince charges outside.
He’s right—
I should get to the storage room before things get any worse.
But I can’t make myself go…
Not until Vince comes back and I know he’s okay.
This is my first day being left in charge of the shelter.
Right now, Eastside is my responsibility…
And so is Vince.
As the roar outside gets louder…
I creep closer to the door and wait.
At first, I can’t see anything through the rain…
But then I spot a dark shape sprinting toward me.
Jane
Jane
VINCE!
Jane
Jane
Look out!!
He ducks to avoid a hurtling branch…
And reaches the shelter lobby.
He’s utterly soaked…
And so is Peanut, who’s whimpering in his arms.
We run to the storage room.
I take Peanut and crawl under a table…
Curling up around the puppy.
Vince puts his arms around me…
Shielding us from whatever happens next.
I shut my eyes as the roar gets louder.
The walls around us shake.
Jane
Jane
Oh god!
Vince
Vince
Just hold on!
His arms tighten around me.
He’s so strong.
Vince
Vince
I’ve got you!
Vince
Vince
I’ve got you BOTH!
The tornado howls nearby.
I’m sure it’s about to hit us…
And tear the shelter apart.
But then…
The roar gets a little softer.
Jane
Jane
Is it…
Vince
Vince
I think it’s moving away.
We stay under the table for several more minutes.
Until the roar fades into the distance.
Until we’re sure.
Then we run to check on the animals.
The dogs are barking and the cats are cowering…
But they’re all okay.
The shelter held.
I wrap Peanut in a towel.
Vince
Vince
Is he all right?
Jane
Jane
He’s fine. Just wet and scared.
Vince
Vince
I know the feeling.
I look up at Vince.
His dripping hair hangs in his eyes.
He’s shivering.
I hand him Peanut and wrap another towel around his shoulders.
Jane
Jane
I can’t believe you did that.
Vince
Vince
I know it was foolish…
Vince
Vince
But I couldn’t leave this good boy in danger.
I look at the way he’s cradling Peanut…
And I realize that maybe I’m looking at TWO good boys.
Jane
Jane
Can I ask you something?
Vince
Vince
Sure.
Jane
Jane
You’re here because you got caught shoplifting.
Jane
Jane
Why did you do it? Why steal?
Vince’s mouth presses into a thin line.
Vince
Vince
Well…
He sighs.
Vince
Vince
My little brother’s birthday was coming up.
Vince
Vince
Money’s been tight lately.
Vince
Vince
We couldn’t afford a present.
Vince
Vince
So…
Vince
Vince
I stole a stuffed dog from the toy store in the mall.
Vince
Vince
I know it was wrong.
Vince
Vince
But my bro loves dogs as much as I do, and…
Vince
Vince
I wanted him to get SOMETHING for his birthday.
Vince’s gaze drops down to Peanut.
Vince
Vince
I wanted to get him a REAL dog.
Vince
Vince
Like Peanut. Peanut would be perfect.
Vince
Vince
But we can’t afford it.
I think of how Vince put himself in danger to rescue the puppy…
And an idea starts to brew.
I go in back to call the shelter director.
I tell her about Vince and Peanut…
And I make a suggestion.
Back in the lobby, I smile at Vince.
Jane
Jane
How would you like to take Peanut home?
Vince frowns.
Vince
Vince
I’d love to…
Vince
Vince
But I told you we can’t afford to take care of him.
Jane
Jane
I talked to the director.
Jane
Jane
You put your life on the line for one of our puppies.
Jane
Jane
You deserve a reward.
Jane
Jane
Eastside Shelter is donating supplies and vet care for Peanut.
Vince’s eyes light up…
But then he shakes his head.
Vince
Vince
I don’t have enough for the adoption fee.
I touch his shoulder.
Jane
Jane
That part’s on me.
Jane
Jane
Thank you for saving Peanut…
Jane
Jane
And for protecting me.
I’ll never forget how he held me under that table.
Jane
Jane
I’m sorry I misjudged you, Vince.
Jane
Jane
Maybe we can have coffee sometime?
Vince smiles.
His smile never used to make my heart flutter…
But it does now.
Vince
Vince
I’d really like that.
Jane
Jane
Good.
I stand on my tiptoes…
And kiss his cheek.
Peanut whines happily at me.
I laugh and scratch his ear.
Jane
Jane
Yes, Peanut. You’re a good boy.
Then I pull the towel closer around Vince’s shoulders…
Keeping him warm.
Jane
Jane
And so are you.
Jane
Jane