Catrina “Cat” Jameson's November evening shift at The Stray Cat Motel started the way most of her others always had. She bid the day shift worker Lila a good evening and checked to make sure that there was enough change in the register.

As the twilight turned to darkness, Cat watched the outdoor lights of her father’s motel automatically turn on. She looked to see if any of the local alley cats graced the side door of the main office.

“Here you go.” Cat placed a plate of food out for a small black cat that cautiously peeked through the evergreen bush.

Cat then heard the motor of a car in the lot. She knew this limousine. The driver opened the door for a surly old male, dressed in a black suit. Another male, a regular at the motel, exited and made his way to the main office.

“Hey, the usual,” Victor said to Cat as he quickly threw a one hundred dollar bill on the counter. He snapped his fingers and held his hand out for a key. He was about five feet, nine inches, with a muscular build. He would always stare at Cat as if she were from another world. Cat looked like the offspring of Keith Richards and The Black Dahlia.

“Anybody ever tell you that you have nice eyes?” Victor asked.

“You do, every week,” Cat smiled. Cat’s eyes were large and deep green, lined with black. They dramatically contrasted with her pale skin and long, black hair.

“Wait! Here’s your change,” Cat said.

“I’ll come back for it,” Victor replied.

Less than fifteen minutes later, another car pulled up. Cat recognized this one, too. Two young males quickly exited a black Lincoln Navigator.

Cat’s eyes carefully studied the two males for as long as she could. As they moved towards the first floor, she was unable to clearly see them from the window.

Her instincts told her that this was not going to be a friendly visit. She felt trouble in the air and braced herself. She grabbed her father’s 38 from the drawer underneath the register.

Cat’s body barely flinched when she heard a sea of gunshots pierce the air. She heard them coming closer, then…silence.

She peeked out the window. She saw a male on the ground. She dialed 911 and left the phone off the hook so the call would connect.

Slowly, she walked out of the office and towards the room. There was another dead male on the ground.

Cat pushed the door open with the tip of the gun. Two other men were seated in the dinette chairs. Dead.

Cat walked to another male, the limo driver, who was nearest to the car. He appeared to be dead, too. His hand extended underneath the vehicle.

Cat bent down on the pavement and put down the gun. Her eyes fixated on a metal case. She grabbed it. Slowly, Cat opened it. It was filled with one hundred dollar bills. Without speaking a single word, she quickly closed the briefcase. Cat nodded to herself and smiled.

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About the author:  Christine Bruness is a published author and artist. She has had hundreds of poems, articles, pieces, letters, and guest editorials published in both print and on-line publications, magazines, newspapers, and journals, such as Haiku Headlines, (was the "Featured Poet" in November 2002) Rolling Stone, Free Focus, Flutter, Lilith, Frogpond, Dreams of Decadence, Timepieces, Transcendent Visions, Poetry Sharings Journal, (was the "Featured Poet" in April 2001) The Observer, The Commercial Leader, The Casino Anthology, Useless-Knowledge, Bolts of Silk, Bewildering Stories, Poetry Super Highway, (was the "Featured Poet of the Week" October 9 -15, 2006) Poets Haven, Poetic Musings, The Web Poetry Corner, (was selected by the webmaster as a "Featured Poet" in April 2001 for PSJ) The Cynic Online Magazine: Cafe Del Soul, SP Quill, Seasons, Haiku Haven, Voices, Poet's Ink Review, Poet Express, OCEAN Magazine, Ancient Heart Magazine, A Hudson View, Spinnings, etc.

Christine has been the recipient of forty writing awards, including the Rose/Rosemary Zienteck 2000 Literary Award for excellence and innovation in literature, for her book Imbalance, An Experimental Collection of Micro Stories and Poetry, (published under her maiden name, Christine McGuigan, in 1998) the 2000 New Jersey Writer of the Year Award, four Readers' Choice Awards for her work in Haiku Headlines, winner of the 2007 Useless Knowledge 500 Word Essay Contest, a winner in the SP Quill's Top Ten Winners' Circle for the SP Quill Quarterly, winner of the William Paterson University Feminist Essay Contest, winner of both the 1998 Garden State Writers' Challenge for Poetry and the 1998 Tri-State Short, Short Story Contest.

She has given readings and book signings at both major chains and independently owned bookstores and has taught writing and poetry workshops.

Christine's artwork has been exhibited in many group exhibitions, four solo art shows, and two two-person exhibits. Her artwork has been published, most recently in Wild Violet Magazine, WOMB, 63 Channels, Bewildering Stories, Ken*Again, and Skyline Publications. In 2005, Christine received an Arts Grant from the NJ Meadowlands Commission for her original, abstract artwork.

Christine resides in New Jersey with her husband Richard and their two cats Daisy and Shadow.  Strays often visit and are always welcome and fed.

View Christine's biography here.

For a sample of her artwork, artistic statement, and poetry:  visit her new website!

Email: chatnoir@comcast.net

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