Terror at the Marathon
by Francesca Cavallo
Yo. I’m the new guy, the… “dog sitter”.
Hi, who sent you?
The “gardener”.
Where did you leave the dog?
The “dog” is near the ice cream place, close to the starting line of the race, as instructed.
Cool. What’s going on over there?
Runners warming up, volunteers setting up gazebos… lots of… “dogcatchers” (??)
Gotcha. What about the dog’s food?
I was told you’d let me know about the “shop” where I can pick it up.
It’s on Lincoln and Lake, the red door, next to a florist.
Cool. Heading there.
Wait! Is there something specific I should ask for? Or a person I should talk to?
Tell Brian to give you the big one.
Cool. Brian, “the big one”. Gotcha!
Stop using quotes! It gets on my nerves!!
Oh, sorry about that. I won’t do it again!
Tell Brian to make sure it’s well packaged, I don’t want the car to smell like “dog food”…
You got it! :)
one hour later
Did you get the dogfood?
Got it.
Any troubles?
None, lots of ppl getting ready for the race. No one paid attention when I got out of Brian’s apartment with the dog food.
Where are you now?
At the cafe across the road from the starting line of the race.
OK. I’ll be there in 20.
Hey, where are you? It’s 11.25!
We must feed the dog in 10 min. Race is starting at 12.
WTF!!!
Sorry, I got pulled over. Everything’s fine now. See you by the dog in 5. Wearing a white cap and red tee.
What do you mean “pulled over”? By the dogcatchers? Did they ask you something?
I said it’s cool. I didn’t have anything on me, you had all we need to rock this race!
OK. I see you now. I’m wearing blue tee and gray cap. Look to your left, behind the water gazebo.
There you are.
The dog is inside the big, white truck, in front of the ice cream place. Gonna give it my treat now. Watch for dogcatchers!!! I don’t want to end up in jail!
All clear.
OK, dun it. Dog’s ready for you.
WAIT! Should I have put my piece it the front or in the back?
Back dammit!
All good. Just wanted to be sure. I put it on the back. Dogcatchers on their way for final clearance. Hurry up.
Dog’s ready. Get the leash at spot 4. You know what that is, right?
Yeah!
On it. I see dogs smelling around, real dogs, K9 units close to the truck!!
No worries, we’re fine. Our stuff is scented.
Got the leash. It looks as expected. Call when you want me to press the button.
Race started. 4 minutes to go. Stay glued to your phone.
Ready when you are.
GO
GO
FUCK U DOIN??? Runners are leaving I SAID GO!
It’s not working dude. Fuck
What do u mean? Try again!
I tried, I pressed. It doesn’t do anything. Wanna go check it out?
Are you crazy? I’m no fucking kamikaze
I’m pressing the fucking button, but the dog doesn’t move! I think this leash is broken!
Fuck! Dogcatchers caught the dog! Now they’ll sweep the area..!
On the move to spot 6. Meet me there?
Fuck. See you there.
In spot 6. Where r u?
Fuck fuck dogcatchers here. Run
Sorry dude.
fuck do u mean ur sorry? u fucking snitch
Where the fuck are you bitch? I’m going to kill you.
Fuck the gardener, I’m gonna kill him too!
I’m no snitch dude, u safe? Where r u?
The hell I’m telling ya
OMG Both police and the gardener are gonna be after me now
we blew it
YOU BLEW IT. This ain’t on me bitch
Oh ya? U sure? Maybe you didn’t connect the fucking timer as it was supposed to..
I don’t even know you. This is our first mission and my first screw up in 10 years!
I have a long track record with the gardener, but you? Not so much.
You screwed up with the gardener’s agenda, man. I don’t wanna be you right now.
He can be.. naughty with those who let him down. Know what I mean? He watch a lot of movies..
U still there?
That’s what I thought. Run bitch, run.
App