An Atheist's Vigil, Part II

One of the problems with the law system is the kind of people that it applies to. There are certain people that obey the laws. Then there are those that bend them. There are those that break them. Yet, the most dangerous are those that find loopholes.

Loopholes make laws scurry away to hide in a corner. They’re what lawyers make their living on. It was also why there was a small kitten in the bookstore.

There was nothing that said there couldn’t be one. The contract didn’t say, “No pets.” Therefore, nothing was wrong.

The logic of humans is nearly impossible to follow sometimes. This is because all logic bends towards whatever it is that a particular human wants, warping time, space, and memory of a lot of people until he is successful.

But anyway, there was a cat in the store, if you haven’t noticed.

It was in the seat next to Dalyn, curled up into a ball, fast asleep.

It was very, very cute.

It snored.

It was this last quality that made Dalyn turn around to see what was causing all of the racket (considering that anything going on when you’re trying to read can be defined as racket).

“Oh, hello,” he said softly, wondering what it is you’re supposed to do when you find a cat in a bookstore.

It woke up for a moment and stared at him, decided he wasn’t going to pet him or feed him, then went back to sleep.

Dalyn returned to his book, still keeping one eye on the small furball and trying to ignore it while at the same time watch it. He didn’t even notice Nick take the seat next to him until he greeted him.

“Oh, hello,” said Dalyn for the second time. “You again.”

“Yep, me, here,” said Nick. “I think, therefore I am.”

Dalyn mentally commented that he probably had no idea what it is that he just said. It bothered him for a moment, then disappeared into the depths of his mind. He was good at ignoring the ignorant these days. He simply gave a quick, hallow laugh.

“What’cha reading?”

“Oh, it’s kind of odd,” said Dalyn.

“Interested in psychology, are we?”

“Somewhat, but not why I’m reading this. It’s fascinating.”

Nick nodded. “Right, so you find it interesting, but you’re not interested. That makes perfect sense. Somewhere.”

“Mmm,” Dalyn said, then readjusted himself to return to reading.

“So what is it? Scared of having it?” Nick asked, noting the cover.

“Well, not so much scared,” said Dalyn. “More so, I’m pretty sure I do have it.”

“Oh, so the words in the book are different colors for you then?”

Dalyn opened his mouth to ask how he knew anything about it, but decided he didn’t want to go in this direction. “No, it’s just that, well, sometimes, when I’m fatigued, I tend to see color where none exists. Or, at times, when I concentrate enough, you see. It’s rather hard to describe.”

“Hmm, might be,” said Nick. “So it happens when you’re tired?”

“Yes.”

“Tire yourself out, then.”

“Oh sure, I can do that,” Dalyn murmured. “If only I could concentrate on these studies, perhaps I’d understand more.”

“Problem?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact. I’m not exactly adept at wading through all of these numbers.”

“Gimme.” Nick took the book from Dalyn and glanced at it. “Ah, statistics. Fun.”

“Also, are you aware that there is a cat in your store?”

“Yes, actually,” Nick said without looking up. “He’s mine.”

There are times where the fundamental nature of things in general is so perfectly avoided that it seems hopeless to draw reality back into where it should be, at least, reality in this case according to Dalyn. Any attempts at doing so would more than likely made him look stupid.

“I see. And does he, or she, perhaps, um, have a name?”

“Nope.”

“Disappointing, a cat without a name.”

“Well, name him.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“I’m afraid that’s not my cat,” Dalyn laughed. “I can’t name him. Or her.”

“It’s a him”—he, corrected Dalyn mentally—“don’t worry about that. Go on. He doesn’t care.”

Dalyn looked at the feline, which was stretching its tiny body and silently yawning.

“Perhaps, I could name him based on his appearance?”

No response.

“Well, he is comprised of black and white. Maybe, he could be named Tao, after the Chinese philosophy.”

“Tao,” said Nick to himself. “Yeah, that seems good.” He returned to reading.

Dalyn was somewhat surprised that he had named a creature with such ease, and gently stroked Tao on the head. He began to purr.

“I’m hungry,” said Nick.

“Go eat,” suggested Dalyn, who tired of such obvious comments easily.

“Sure. Wanna burger?”