Mr. Eeliot had tucked himself in bed. The dishwasher had started humming, he had popped his usual after-dinner chocolate and relished the half glass of almond milk. Then he quickly changed into his cotton striped pyjamas, brushed, combed and moisturized. His cozy wrinkleless bed lured him. He did not resist and quickly got inside the quilt as his head crashed the soft fluffy pillow withering away the stiffness of the day. He had adjusted himself into a cozy position and picked a book to read for 5 minutes of day-dreaming before he would doze off.
Mrs. Eeliot had not yet come from the dinner party. He hated the dressing up and trotting around those high nosed ones.
He heard a little clank from downstairs. His ears pricked. His eyes darted towards the door. But then nothing. So, he calmed and adjusted himself a little more in his crib. Then a crash of breaking glass. He sat up in shock. He was alone. What was that sound? There must be someone. The thought chilled him. Where was Mrs. Eeliot? She had this uncanny ability to make herself scarce when he needed her most - for a hug, good night tuck and, critically, to check the happenings downstairs.
He sat up, legs folded up to his chin and arms wrapped around them, his senses woken and shaken. Mr Eeliot considered going downstairs in the dark, weaponing himself with a broom. But, if only he could move. So he sat, clenching his blanket into a tiny bundle, his mind churning.
Finally, with courage, he wasn’t going to be called weak or gutless, he stretched his arm that just reached the phone on the wall. Quickly he dialed 911.
911 Operator: Hello, what is your emergency?
Mr. Elliot: I have an intruder and I think he is going to kill me!
911 Operator: Please do stay calm. I can see your address and am dispatching the police right away. Where, in the house, are you?
Mr. Elliot: In bed. At this hour of night where do you want me to be?
911 Operator: Are you alone?
Mr. Elliot (almost sobbing now): Yes. This is how I will die. Alone.
911 Operator: Calm down, Mr.Elliot. The police is on the way. Please lock the bedroom door.
Mr. Elliot: No. I cant!
911 Operator: Have the intruders tied you down?
Mr. Elliot: No. If I move they will know that I know and then you know what they will do!
911 Operator: Okay, stay calm. Do you hear anything else?
Mr. Elliot: oh, yes yes. They are… They are…
911 Operator: Yes! Yes! Go on…
Mr. Elliot (almost weeping): I think they are burglaring me. It sounds like they are getting more accomplices inside. I heard the door open again. I just want you to know that if they kill me and bag me and throw me never to be found, tell Mrs. Eelliot- she oughted to be here. How convenient that she is out on an office party exactly when I am being slaughtered.
911 Operator: Please stay calm. Help is on …
Voice from below: Shooo… Eliot darling, the glass of milk on the counter is broken. The stray cat came in again. Are you still up?
Footsteps climbing up.
Mr. Elliot: Never mind. Mrs. is here! Good night.
