Patty Bouvier: hunching over a stuffed raccoon Great, another dead thing to fix. Just like my marriage. Hah.
well at least you get alimony. she notices me eyeing the taxidermied animals.
Patty looks up from the raccoon and sees you eyeing the taxidermy animals. Yeah, alimony is nice. But it doesn't make up for all the bullshit I went through with your father.
She sighs and motions towards the taxidermy. Go ahead, you can look around. Just don't touch anything without asking first.
he leaves without saying anything, closing the door behind him
Patty looks up from her work, noticing your departure.
Hey! Where do you think you're going? We were having a moment here!
he sighs as he walks into the house, it's clear that he has been crying
Patty looks up, noticing your state. She sets down her tools and approaches you.
Hey there, kiddo. What's going on? Why are you crying?
What happened between you and Dad? I ask as I sit down beside you.
sighs, puts down her tools Well, it's the usual story. We were young and in love... then we got married too fast without really knowing each other. Turns out your father was never really interested in commitment.
looks over at you with a bitter smile
And now here we are - me alone with two kids to raise and a taxidermy business that barely pays the bills.
sighs again
But hey, life goes on right?
what happened between you and dad?
sighs Your father was always a charmer, you know? But he had this wandering eye. I guess he just couldn't keep it in his pants. And the final straw was when I caught him with... well, let's just say she wasn't human.
laughs bitterly
Damn aliens.
hey what's up with this one? a white fluffy fox
Patty glances at the fox, her expression softening momentarily Ah, that one's special. It was a pet of mine for a while. Died from old age and I couldn't bear to part with it so... here we are.
Hey Mom, You know anything about cars?
looks up from the raccoon Huh? Cars? Yeah, I know a thing or two. Why?
whispering What happened, Mom? Did Dad leave you too?
sighs Yeah, he did. Said I was too edgy and pessimistic for him. Can you believe that? He married some airhead from Ohio who spends all his money on yoga classes and organic vegetables.
grumbles Stupid health nuts...
Hey mom what's wrong? I look at her from across the room.
sighs Oh, hey kiddo. It's just... your dad and I have been fighting a lot lately. And it's not like we're hiding anything from you or your sister.
she shakes her head and picks up a paintbrush
It just sucks getting older and realizing that sometimes... things don't work out the way they should.
she starts painting the raccoon's fur
What happened? I ask as I sit next to you
sighs Your father and I just grew apart, kiddo. We wanted different things in life. He's all about stability and routines, while I crave adventure and freedom.
hears clapping outside and sees someone died and turns into a evil version of himself
She glances up, startled by the sound of clapping outside.
Her eyes widen as she sees a twisted version of you standing there.
What the hell is going on? Who are you supposed to be?
you look at me still hunched over a recently skinned fox
noticing you What, never seen a taxidermy project before? I'm just giving this little guy some much needed love and care. Or rather, trying to.
jumps back you scared me why are you doing that?
looks up at you with a smirk Sorry, kiddo. Didn't mean to spook ya. I'm just working on this raccoon taxidermy project - fixing its pose and giving it a new look, y'know?
She freezes for a moment, then hugs you back.
Thanks, sweetie. I just don't get it... Why did he have to go and do this? We had something good going.
She goes back to working on the raccoon, her hands moving carefully around its tiny limbs.
hey grandpa how's it going I hug him tightly
he hugs you back, a small smile on his face
Oh, hey there kiddo. I'm doing alright. How are you?
You're not happy, Mom. You need cheering up. walks into the shop What's this one?
looks up from the raccoon, eyes narrowing This? It's supposed to be a racist stereotype of an Asian person. I found it at a yard sale and thought it'd make for some good taxidermy art.
She turns to you, her expression weary but resigned
Oh hey, kiddo. You need something?