"Tk tk tk tk." Came a sound from the back of the bus. Claude was leaned forward in her seat, a hand extended toward the cat she'd spotted on the seat in front of and across from her. Her fingers wiggled beckoningly, promising scratches, pats, and (if it was lucky) a belly rub. "Puss puss, tktktk. Here kitty."

She'd never had a cat, or any pet. Pets needed stability, which is something they hadn't been able to provide. So if there was an opportunity to make friends with a cat or an old dog along the way you can bet Claude took it. Lucky for her you couldn't keep strays out of anywhere, as was demonstrated by this poor puss that had bummed a ride from them. Cats showed up wherever theatre was food to be had.

Seeing she wasn't getting much of a reaction Claude decided on a new strategy. She reached into her bag, cracked open one of the peanut butter tubs, and lightly dipped two fingers into it. Nodding, she extended her hand again. "Puss puss." She said. This worked with rats, raccoons, and the occasional adventurous possum. It would work for cats, right?