It was Tuesday and that meant I usually woke early, took the train into the city, and walked the mile to my office. But today, the alarm never rang to wake me. When I arrived at the station, the train was late. And, skipping the walk for a cab, I got such in gridlock traffic. I did manage to make it to the office eventually, late as I was, but that was for the best because...
Patty told me that when she arrived, and she always arrived first, Michael had been sitting on the stairs, busy tending to an armful of kittens someone must have thrown out in front of our office door. Tina and him had taken them to the vet.
You see, I love cats and the internet's sole purpose was made for me, but I'm allergic.
Alarming as that was, Sally was more interested in the report in the free paper she'd found on the morning train.
"Look at this," she said, "their proposing more pedestrianised zones. Permanent road closures! Again! That'll put even more people onto my train."
"Government's no good at anything," replied Michael, "we're gonna have to find jobs nearer home, or homes nearer jobs."
"Nah, Nah, nah. Silly human. Pay attention to us the kitten said.
"Did that one speak?"
Everyone looked at me funny. That was when I learned I had kitsune blood and could understand the animals.,
"That's not so bad," I chimed in. "Maybe more people walking will make the air more breathable. When was the last time either of you were able to move around the city without one of these?"
I held up my hand, showcasing the mask I'd removed after stepping inside the building.
My colleagues shrugged. "Masks keep us safe. Not just from the air, but other people."
Sally had a point with that last bit, but improved air would help us all.