From: phantagrae Date: 13 Jun 2002 09:21:58 -0700 Subject: NEW: Tin Roof On A Hot Cat (400-word Challenge) Source: atxc I recently posted my 400-word challenge piece (with the clever title of '400- word challenge...) and this is my sister's piece. There were 4 required elements which appear at the end. Neither of us could remember exactly what the 4th element was...we wrote these a couple of years ago. ;0) Again, no spoilers, G-rated, and FOX/1013 owns everything (except the cat.) Feedback: phantagrae@earthlink.net (I'll pass it along) ***** Tin Roof On A Hot Cat by LilSis Agent Fox Mulder stood beside the Mississippi, studying the ornate square below. Squinting, he searched the crowd for his partner. *Where could she be? Making me suffer on purpose, no doubt.* He could actually see the air wavering. The humidity was like a warm wet paper towel on his face. He thought D.C. was bad. As he moved toward a bench he noticed a cat sleeping beneath, flattened out and wilted, failing to hide from the heat. Mulder sat quietly so he wouldn't disturb this kindred spirit of New Orleans. He stretched out and closed his eyes. *Make like a cat...* A shadow fell across his face and he opened one eye. There she was, in a suit, no less. No matter what, she always looked *fine.* He refused to smile--at her trim figure or lovely hair pulled back--and made no move to get up. "Mulder, what are you doing? Sleeping on the job?" "I bought you a present." He pulled a Koosh Ball from his pocket. How could she show no signs of this heat? "Are you ready? I've got the file here," Scully said, impatiently taking his "gift" and turning to walk along the riverbank. Mulder stood slowly, checking on his cat. *Wish I had some water.* Scully was talking, assuming he was following. Mulder heard snatches--some crime, some perpetrator. He didn't care. It was migraine time and all he wanted was his hotel and AIR CONDITIONING. He caught up to her, stepping silently so she wouldn't know he was lagging (all those years of sneaking around finally came in handy.) "What do you think? Did you talk to Steven Butkowski?" she asked, turning. He smiled as he noticed a sheen of sweat on her forhead and nose. She *was* human. "I thank we shud desscuss this futha ova some Suthun Aahced Teeeeee." "Will you stop being silly? I've been researching this case all day while you've been doing God knows what, sleeping on park benches and buying... buying...what is this anyway?" She shook the ball in his face. "A Koosh Ball. Okay, okay. Let's get out of this heat. I've already been over the crime scenes here and at the warehouse. My head is pounding like a jackhammer...Puhleees, Ma'am?" Scully ignored his bad southern drawl and, flashing an annoyed look at him, walked back toward the square. After all, a girl gets hot, too. ***** Love it? Hate it? Let me know: phantagrae@earthlink.net Here are the required elements: The name Steven Butkowski A Koosh Ball The phrase, "pounding like a jackhammer" And I think New Orleans may have been the place... (can't quite remember...)