For nearly a year, this story has given faithful service to the Silly At Heart. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return, I dedicate this fanfic.
Heart, heart, heart, smiley face, wink, wink.
It all started when Tangerine got loose. Claire was supposed to be looking after Robyn's cat for the day, but she hadn't been doing a very good job. She thought the task consisted of simply locking the animal in her office with a bowl of food and a place to poop, but no. Tangerine had to go and make things so much more complicated.
The cat had darted out of Claire's office as soon as her secretary opened the door to speak with her. They dashed after it, only frightening the animal more. Eventually, they cornered the paper-thin hairless cat in the lab. It hadn't caused any damage, thank god, but it was making a terrible noise. Claire picked up the ugly feline and began to walk back to her office. Unfortunately, one of the halls was closed for cleaning (they had obviously darted through it right before it was locked up), and she had to take an alternate route, which led her outside. There, Tangerine jumped out of her arms and dashed over to a small ice cream stand to pester the customers. She rubbed up against a man in a turtleneck, who kicked her away gently.
"Dr. Wu! I'm so sorry!" Claire gasped, "I didn't mean to let it get away. I thought I could hold it-"
"It's fine," Wu said calmly, "I'm on my break. I was just getting some ice cream. I'm not allergic."
"To ice cream?"
"To cats."
Claire nodded and picked up Tangerine.
"Alright, I'll be on my way."
Wu pointed to the sky.
"Better hurry. It looks like a nasty storm is brewing. I predict lightning. Could be dangerous."
Claire nodded.
"Alright. Aren't you gonna take shelter?"
Wu shook his head.
"I want my ice cream."
Claire laughed until she realized that he was dead serious. With an awkward step, she slithered away.
***OZ***
On her journey to the office, Claire heard Mr. Masrani calling out to the workers.
"What's all this Jabberwocky, when there's work to be done? Go on, get back to work!"
"But sir! The storm . . ."
"Must I repeat myself? Go on! Work, work, work!"
Claire rolled her eyes and strutted down the path. The wind was kicking up.
"Hey, Claire!"
Owen jogged up to her before she could run away and pretend that she hadn't noticed him.
"How's it going? Listen, about the other day-"
"I'm very busy, Mr. Grady."
He blocked her path.
"Please, just hear me out. I'm really sorry about-"
"Your brainless comment? Yeah, I don't particularly like being insulted through song."
Owen shuffled his feet.
"I'm sorry. Really, I am."
Not wanting to push the situation to a new level of "uncomfortable", Claire turned to leave.
"Is that your cat?" Owen asked.
"No!" Claire called over her shoulder.
She left Owen in her dust.
"Well . . . Goodbye!" he said weakly, "I'll see you . . . later . . . I guess . . . goddamn it . . ."
***OZ***
Claire had nearly reached her office by the time the monsoon hit. Tangerine was mewling pitifully, and she couldn't take much more of the miserable cat.
"Let's get you home, okay?"
Tangerine coughed up a hairball, which made no sense, because he was a hairless cat. Claire grimaced as the wet lump landed on her sleeve.
"Great. I have a hairball on my coat, and the wind is ruining my coif. Once it rains, my makeup is sure to drip, too."
Her appearance was the least of her problems, however, for at that very moment, a sudden burst of wind sent a loose tile flying off of the roof.
It hit Claire on the head and knocked her out.
***OZ***
Claire was inside a flying house. Of course, she had no idea why. All she knew was that she was sitting on an unfamiliar bed with Tangerine in her lap while strange objects flew past the window. She saw a cow, a canoe, a lion-dragon . . .
"Shit. I'm having a Wizard of Oz fantasy."
Claire scrunched up her face and tried to snap out of her delusion, but to no avail. A couple of times, the image wavered, and she heard someone's voice.
Claire? Claire, are you okay?
Then it faded.
Claire turned back to the window. Crazy images were flying in front of her, including-
"Zara?!"
"Hi, Claire!" Zara shouted from her broomstick. Claire rubbed her eyes.
"Why in the hell are you the Wicked Witch?"
Zara grinned.
"I want to sing 'Defying Gravity'."
Claire blinked.
"Zara . . . This isn't Wicked. It's The Wizard of Oz."
Zara's jaw dropped.
"WHAT?! Are you telling me that I've been practicing my karaoke for no good reason?"
"Is there ever a good reason for karaoke?"
The house gave a jolt. Claire grabbed a bedpost.
"I'm sorry, Zara, but I think I have to go now. It appears as though I'm going to-"
The house dropped.
"CRAAAAAAAAASH!"