Was that you?
Nope.
What IS that?
It’s the house settling. I’ve heard it since we moved in here.
For five years?
It’s 1:47. Go to sleep.
What IS that?
It sounds like it’s coming from — is there any attic over in this corner?
I think it sounds like it’s near the windows.
No, if you’d get out of bed and listen — you’d see it’s coming from over here.
. . .
Let’s put the outside lights on.
The neighbors will think there’s something wrong.
There IS something wrong. Ha — maybe Cheryl and Warren can see what’s on the roof –call them. Just kidding.
I don’t think it’s on the roof. I think it’s in the wall.
Great. . . . I wonder — Gloria sometimes opens the window when she cleans. Maybe
a bird got caught between the window and the screen. Don’t open the window!
Sounds like it has more heaviness than a bird. Like a raccoon. They were in that tree last summer.
Fine. It could be a bat— remember there was a bat in the guest room that time. Where are you?
I’m going downstairs.
Check the living room ceiling — -way up — with your flashlight. Maybe a bird got in.
. . .
I don’t see anything. Woody’s up and barking now.
It could be a bat or a bird or a squirrel — those are the most likely. I think the lights on have quieted it down.
Well, there’s nothing we can do about it tonight. Maybe we have to call an exterminator.
He’d have to come at 2 in the morning — sleep in our bed with us to hear it. THEN we’d be sorry we never got a king size —
(Or she.)
. . .
Ah! where IS it? It can’t get in, right? Maybe I’ll go sleep in the guest room.
OK — you were going to try that for your back anyway.
Yeah, but there was that bat that time, maybe I’ll stay here.
Put in your earplugs.