Basket Cases short - Babysitting Scramble

INT. - Coon Household - Kitchen - DAY

Racks enters and spies an egg propped up on the counter.

RACKS

Oo! Yummy!

Ty comes in.

RACKS

Is this hard boiled?

TY No! And it's not for eating! Paws off!

Racks takes her paws off but places them on her hips.

RACKS

It's an egg! What else is it for? It's not like it's even Easter!

Ty sits down, taking the egg caringly into his paws.

TY

It's for raising. It's my son.

Racks stares at him.

RACKS Do you mean there's a baby chick of something in there?

TY No, it's just a school project -but a thing borrowed from human schools! Animals shouldn't be made to do it -I love eggs!

Feeling tempted, he promptly sets the egg back down on the table.

RACKS Humans eat eggs, too. At any meal. Sometimes at every meal.

Ty rubs at his face.

RACKS

Who are you raising it with?

TY

No one. I'm a single dad, like Mom...is a single mom.

Racks places her paw on the table, palm up, towards him.

Ty lowers his paws and looks at hers.

TY

What's that paw want?

RACKS

Cash money. Every parent looks for a helping paw when they need it. It's the responsible thing. So how 'bout letting me look after your son until the craving passes?

Ty considers this.

TY

Okay, but it's cash on return.

RACKS

Deal.

She takes the egg carefully.

RACKS Come on, you! Bet chya'd like to see my room.

She starts walking off.

TY

His name's Chad. Short for Chadbury.

Pausing, Racks gives him a look, realizing the similarity to "Cadbury",

but she keeps her thoughts on the matter to herself.

INT. - Coon Household - Kitchen - EVENING

Ty is doing his home work at the counter when Racks returns Chadbury.

The egg is now sporting some gauze and medical tape.

RACKS (matter-of-fact remorse) There was a trauma.

Ty looks over his son, who doesn't seem too worse for wear besides the bandage.

RACKS (CONT'D)

But I rushed him directly to the aid kit and we were back to having a good time in no time. A little quieter of a good time after that, but we all need that sometimes anyway.

TY

Well okay. But what happened? I probably should put it in my report.

His gaze shifts down to the papers in front of him.

RACKS

We were going for a swing, and Chaddy was sittin' in the rim of the tire, 'cause only he could fit there. It was his special spot. But then. . .

Cut-To

a flashback of the scene.

EXT. - Coon Household - Yard - EARLIER EVENING

We see Racks is standing on the sidesway tire, making it go with her legs while she holds onto the ropes.

RACKS It's a good thing you're not an eggplant, Chadbury, or your babysitter would need a babysitter.

Racks hoists herself up so she's hanging onto the ropes with both her hands and feet, upside-down as only a raccoon can.

That's when she sees Chadbury about to slip from the rim.

Letting go with her feet Racks' body turns rightside-up and, unable to reach any other way, she aims her tail to thwack Chadbury back into place. . .

Cut-Back-To the present.

INT. - Coon Household - Kitchen - EVENING

RACKS (CONT'D)

. . .I thwacked a little too hard. But it could've been much worse."

Ty gives the event some thought.

TY (saying what he's writing)

Chad experienced an injury when he tried to jump from a tire swing, like all daring kids like to try. But was rushed to emergency to the result of only a scar, a story to tell and maybe a bit more caution on his mind.

Racks leans over the countertop, looking over the report.

RACKS

I also cleaned up the scene, after. I don't know if you want to add that, too.

TY

I don't think it's relevant.