Ray III

ME: Hello, this is Allen.

RAY: Allen! Ray!

ME: Hi, Ray.

RAY: Hey! Your stuff is going to the die cutter even as we speak.

ME: Great. The colors turned out okay?

RAY: Oh, yeah. You'll be really happy.

ME: Good news! Thanks, Ray!

RAY: You know, that stuff went to press last week. It was going to go to the die cutter last Friday, but there was a little issue.

ME: Oh? With the folders?

RAY: Well, I woke up Thursday morning and my cat was just lying there. Real still.

ME: Your...? You...? Say huh?

RAY: Had her for 21 years.

ME: Oh. Jeez. Um.

RAY: Her paw was twitching a little. I called the vet and took her in. She was in such bad shape. You know 21 is pretty old. Even for a cat.

ME: ...

RAY: They had some things to try. Not cheap things. But, you know, she's my cat. God, I loved that cat. So I had to try them. I mean what else can you do?

ME: She's family.

RAY: That's right. That's exactly right. Family. So, yeah, the press part went real smooth for you. The blue looks great. And that charcoal is nice and dark.

ME: Oh. Uh. Good, good!

RAY: We tried and tried but had to put her down over the weekend. Poor thing. I was a mess.

ME: No doubt. No doubt.

RAY: If they take a while at the die cutter, I'll get a small number of them over to you right away, so you don't have to wait.

ME: Oh, okay. Well, you don't need to rush. We're doing just fine.

RAY: Me, too, with the new kitten we got on Sunday. She's something else!

ME: Great! Cute! Um, that's great, Ray. It's good to move on.

RAY: Yeah. Last night, I was at my desk upstairs, and she jumped up on my shoulder just like Iris used to. The exact same way. I thought, 'oh, jeez.' Makes you wonder. Okay, I'm off to the die cutter to check in. Talk to you later.

ME: No doubt.