A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

October 15, 2019

Brian

Brian was excited to have his first real job as a lookout and he wanted to do it right. On the hour, as instructed, he approached the window of the storeroom. He didn't realize it, but the fluorescent box lights emitting greasy yellow light made his soft beige fur glow neon green.

With so much light pouring over his shoulders, Brian had to blink several times before looking out into the night. As he looked across the street to the target house, the hair on his neck stood up. They had been certain the house was vacant! Gil had checked the mailbox for four days straight and assured them the owners were on vacation and the house was empty, but plain as day Brian could clearly see a figure outlined in the window!

Brian had to let Gil know quickly. He sucked in his breath and shot across the room in one long leap, tail tucked between his legs. He misjudged the distance and slammed into the back wall belly-first. As he painfully slid down the wall like a splattered egg, he reached out his paw and flicked off the light switch.

It was several seconds before Brian's breathing returned to normal and his ribs stop making that snapping noise. He only hoped he was in time. He limped out the door and slithered around to the back of the house. Fortunately the gang had just started to line up. Through the wheezing from his broken ribs, Brian let Gil know what he'd seen.

"Are you positive?" Gil hissed. "If you're wrong and we call this heist off for no reason, you'll have ten feral cats at your door!"

"I'm sure! I'm sure! I saw someone!" Brian declared, eager to be so vital on his first assignment. He watched as the gang was dispersed and then a chill went down his back as Gil shot him the stink eye before disappearing into the shadows.

Brian went back to the storeroom, turned on the light, and began to straighten up the mess he had made. As he neared the window, he glanced out and once again he saw the figure across the street. "Vindicated!" he thought, not a little relieved. He reached up his arm to pull down the shade. Oddly, the figure across the street did the same. 

Brian stopped pulling. So did the shadowy figure.

Brian could feel the blood draining from his face and his shoulders slumped. He let go of the shade and slipped under the table. He flattened his ears and covered his eyes with his paws. Too late he remembered the first rule in The Look Out's Book of Rules:
Never leave the light on behind you when you look out a window at night or you'll see your own reflection looking back at you!

Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenoker, Illustrator

©10/15/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 14
See The Back Stories tab at the top for all episodes.

41 comments:

Aquarius said...

Just love these back stories - another great one!!

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh dear.... poor Brian, giggle giggle....
Blessings
Maxine

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Ooops. I love these stories you create to go with the images Darnell, they're fantastic.

Sue xx

Carole Pollard said...

Brilliant card and such a great story loved it Love and hugs Carole x

Chris said...

Oh, poor Brian, he tried sooo hard!
xx

Marilyn said...

Cute story and love the image!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Di said...

Aw no - poor Brian! Loving the stories and illustrations, brilliant stuff ladies!

Hugs

Di xx

Pat said...

Another great image from Cornelia and your story has such a great ending...you write so well Darnell. x

oldpunca said...

Poor Brian. He tried so hard to do everything well. :-)
Fantastic story and fantastic illustration. Well done Darnell and Cornelia!
Hugs, Sonja

Marcia Hill said...

Bahahahaha!! Poor Brian...he's in a heap of trouble now, isn't he?! Cute, CUTE story Darnell and LOVE the illustration!! Your back stories are always wonderful!! Hugs. :0)

Cat Craig said...

You two are magic together.

Brenda in IN said...

Great story and a wonderful image of Brian. He tried so hard and I hope he still has his lookout job!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I always look forward to the design and story you two collaborate on. And, this time it was another great one that you shared. Poor Brian...he sure got himself into a mess but I hope the other cats will forgive him.

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Oh, Darnell and Cornelia, I adore these stories, my heart was beating hard as I read each line hoping against hope that there was actually an intruder in that house, just so poor Brian wouldn't have "10 feral cats" at his door.😮
Brilliantly written and illustrated, you guys are simply awesome.
Thank you both.
XO
Maria.

Maria said...

Wonderful story! Poor Brian! Fab illustration and very well written! I love interesting stories...well done!!

conil said...

Bwhahahahahahaha! Poor Brian...first day on the job and he muffs it. Those feral cats are going to put the BIG HURT on him BIG TIME! Maybe this one shouldn't be in a children's book, huh?

Craftychris said...

Aw bless him! Such a funny story and absolutely brilliant illustration. Fantastic! Hugs xxxxxxx

Dotty Jo said...

You are so witty and clever, Darnell! Jo x

Fikreta said...

This is great story.
Card is awesome!

Sarah said...

Poor Brian!! Sensational storytelling xx

Jean said...

Such a wonderful tale!!

Kathleen said...

Another fabulous story, you really missed your way Darnell, great image too.

Kath x

nancy littrell said...

Too funny:-) I think Brian just got fired!!! Hugs..

Bobby said...

Funny you mentioned the lights turning his fur neon green, Darnell. I remember when I used to wear a wiglet and went to a dinner at a country club. I went to the ladies room and when I looked in the mirror my hair glowed neon green too.

Nan G said...

Priceless! 😂😂😂😹😹😹 Hope you’re doing okay and not having any power blackouts. Hugs

Lisa Elton said...

HaHa, poor Brian, I think his lookout days are over!!

TK said...

I'm so sad for poor little Brian! And he tried so hard - lol! Another great story, Darnell

Lindsey said...

An absolutely spot-on interpretation!

Cheryl W. said...

Poor Brian! His study of the rule book and determination to do a good job was all for naught. Maybe he should move to Minnesota and start anew. There is a vibrant feral feline community here that would welcome him with open arms. In fact, I think they'd be in awe of his California escapades.

papierelle said...

Poor guy, he just wanted to do everything right. Once again a great card and once again amazing what you make of it a story !!
Gundi

Carol L said...

Oh the humiliation! Haha! Great story to go along with this fun illustration!

Gerrina said...

Super story again! I wouldn't came up with this after seeing this card.... Hugs, Gerrina

cuilliesocks said...

Oh dear, poor Brian needs more practice as a lookout. Great back story Darnell and a fab image, Kate x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Poor Brian! Great work, you two! xoxo

Redanne said...

I feel so sorry for Brian too! Darnell, you are such a brilliant story teller, I love this one so much and Cornelia's image is such fun. Great job both of you! Hugs, Annie xxx

Celeste Goff said...

LOL, how funny! Great job on this one!

Sandra H said...

Oh poor Brian I feel for him and l just love your stories great image too x

Linda said...

Oh dear ..... poor Brian.
Another great story Darnell ...... keep 'em coming! xx

Loll said...

OMG ... SO FUNNY Dolly!! :) Thanks for the laugh. LOVE Cornelia's artwork! Love, Lolly

Leslie Miller said...

I was so wrapped up in this story I groaned out loud the moment Brian realized his error. Poor Brian! I hope Gil never finds out... Cornelia's card is wonderful! Love the story!

JD/ Jill said...

Funny story! How cute and clever (as always!)