You Did What? ((1915))

[victoriousscarf]

Mac sat at the kitchen table, his feet up on it, smoking a cigarette, waiting for his youngest brother to show up. The mail was on the table in front of him, one letter open and by his right paw. It was several hours yet until their father was due to return home.

[amanika]

Macavity wouldn't be waiting long, Tugger spent as much of his summer holidays as he could out of the house, but was used enough to his father's schedule to know what times were safe to come back without fear of running into Deuteronomy. Besides, summer or not, the weather that day was wet, and within a few moments of the sound of a downpour splattering on the window panes, the front door slammed. Walking into the kitchen, he was more preoccupied in shaking the water from his headfur than noticing his brother.

[victoriousscarf]

"Hey there baby brother," Macavity drawled, taking another drag of the cigarette. "Have a good day then?"

[amanika]

"Huh?" Tugger looked up, "Hey Mac," he pulled a face as he registered his brother's question, "Borin' t'be honest. Ain't many places let you hang around, even if it's rainin', if you ain't spendin' money."

[victoriousscarf]

"Ta bad then, since school is one of those places. You gettin' a job yet?"

[amanika]

"Mebbe, a girl I know reckons her old man could use someone like me, but things are a bit awkward there... She ain't bin' too happy with me since she introduced me to her best friend." a pause, "Why?"

[victoriousscarf]

Mac snorted at Tugger's described exploits with the girls. "Because a little extra money never hurt anyone," he said. "'ive you somethin' ta do ta." He paused for a long moment, considering the open letter. "Oh, and by the way, you know about this?" He held it up in front of Tugger's eyes.

[amanika]

"Know about what?" Tugger grabbed the letter, "Hold it still then."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac let him take the letter, crossing his arms over his chest and putting on his angriest face--at least the angriest he could give Tugger.

[amanika]

The young tom scanned the paper, on one side there was a list of his grades from his first year at highschool, the other, a letter penned by his principal. Tugger's tail curled as he read, and his ears flattened somewhat. However, as he set the paper down his ears flicked up again, and he folded his arms across his chest in defiance as he spoke, "Forget it, can't stand the place anyway." Only his still curled tail betrayed Tugger's humilation at what he had just read.

He looked at his brother, ears flicking back again for just a second, though Tugger's expression formed rapidly into a defiant scowl. "I ain't doin' it."

[victoriousscarf]

"Oh yes you are," Mac growled in reply. "I don't care if you feel humiliated or what the hell ever, you're doin' it."

[amanika]

Tugger's scowl darkened, "I bleedin' well ain't. What's the point?"

[victoriousscarf]

"The point is, someday you want ta have a 'ood job you moron," Mac scowled. "Education is important you know."

[amanika]

"No rules sayin' I gotta stay." Tugger argued back, "An' if I flunk this time around they say I'm out anyway, don't see what's gonna change from last time, so I might as well get out now an' save myself the torture."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac scowled at him. "Do not make me walk you there," he growled. "Because I will. Draggin' you by the paw if I have ta."