Television was one of the most advanced inventions in the critters’ world. With its stylish wooden frame, colored pixels, and vibrant four channels, it was truly state of the art. It was also one of Harlin’s favorite pastimes. After all, who would say no to the nature channel’s magnificent scenes? Or to all the top home decor trends reviewed by the housing channel?
So, Harlin was in a good mood that Sunday. He was just in his usual Sunday afternoon routine. After having played for plenty of time with his children, he was cooling down with a cup of coffee and a chocolate glazed donut.
Harlin found the nature channel to be played and slid the appropriate TV screen in. Reaching for the simple on-off knob, Harlin awaited the moment the screen would light up in colors but it did not happen. Instead, he was left with a black and white screen. The moving images could barely be made out in this awful dimness.
“What is this?” Harlin complained in frustration. He had looked forward to this afternoon his whole week. A week of steady work, busy afternoons, and cramped lunchtimes for his pleasant weekend. His wife, Heidi, quickly noticed from the kitchen, where she was stirring a pot of carrot soup. The children were outside playing a round of critter train with the neighboring Tuxedo Cat children.
Critter train was a simple game any critter could play. The person in back always gets a chance to lead at some point in a very fair way of revolution. It got to the point that even Grace and Luke came out to join the ever growing line! They were, of course, warmly welcomed.
“I think the TV’s broken, dear,” Heidi calmly explained to her husband. Though, the fact was a little obvious.
”What are we to do?! How could it be broken?”
Heidi, always so calm and free of panic, said, “Well, we could just take it into town. I need you to pay the Calico Times subscription anyway. Remember, we loaded up on tarts, pound cake, and tart cake for you to deliver to their offices as payment for next month?”
“Oh, alright. I’ll take it into town today. Just pack me a basket of vegetables to pay for the repairs.“
Heidi went into the kitchen to load a basket of assorted vegetables, including a ripe squash, juicy tomato, and small leftover cucumber. She knocked over a pot of boiling flour on the way in her grumble about laying up the tomatoes. (The carrot soup she had stirred earlier was already combined in the pot of boiling flour. The pot had already been washed up.). This assortment was hoped to be enough to trade for repairs on the television. If they were too complex and time consuming, Heidi might have to be prepared to give up her carrots and coffee powder, too.
“Well, there goes the tomato stew I was planning.” Heidi grumbled slightly. Afterall, they had been abundantly in season, so Heidi had picked this otherwise expensive fruit on the cheap.
Then came the issue of actually getting the bulky device into the back of Harlin’s Family Seven Seater. He looked at the television. Then, he went outside and looked at the space in the back. It would fit, but it would be a tight one. So, Harlin went to knock at the neighbors.
There was simply no way that he and his wife could carry the giant device inside their car. They would need some help from Natalie and Mason. The couple answered the door, not knowing exactly what to expect. Harlin explained to them, “Our TV’s broken. Would you and Natalie mind helping Heidi and I lift it into my car? I need to take it to a repairman in town.”
“Of course, we can help,” Mason said.
The three adults walked back to Harlin’s house, greeting the children playing outside on the way.
“What’s the matter, daddy?” Bellia pondered.
Harlin replied with a whole explanation of the issue. “But, don’t worry, carry on having weekend fun. I’m sure the repairs will be simple. Mason and Natalie are helping your mother and I move the thing to the car’s back,” he added.
Mason looked over the Family Seven Seater and the television in separate glances. He concurred with Harlin that it would have to be a rather tight placement.
Together, the four adults lifted the television into the cleared car. The door was already swung wide open to make for easy passing by. With some positioning, it was fitted in.
“Well, I’m off to town,” Harlin said.
Within an hour and a half, Harlin was back home, a bundle of vegetables poorer. By then, the children had dispersed to shower, set the dinner table, or feed the babies.
Mason and Natalie’s family were enjoying some family time indoors, too.
“Well, so what was it?” Heidi asked Harlin as he got off the car.
“The repairman said that it was irresponsible ownership. Receptors were clogged because we didn’t take it into town for regular service. It got so that the receptors couldn’t receive the TV screens in full capacity, or something like that. He said we need to take it in for servicing once a year.”
The explanation made a lot of sense to Heidi. Come to think of it, her husband and she had not been the most responsible TV owners. They had purchased the TV many years ago and hadn’t serviced it once.
“Well, now we know. Do you still want to watch that episode, dear?” Heidi answered.
“No, it’s already dark out. And, I paid the Calico Times office for our subscription with those desserts. We’re good for next month. And, I need to wake up early tomorrow. The store’s got a rush order of stuffed toys. I’m going for a shower.” Harlin made his way up the circular stairs and undressed himself. With soap, warm water, and shampoo, Harlin showered himself before enjoying carrot flavored boiled flour with dashes of salt and pepper for dinner. Then, he went to bed, very tired from such a long ordeal.
Next morning, Harlin woke up earlier than his wife, fixing himself a caramel glazed donut and quick cup of coffee blend.
Then, as a good husband, he did his own dishes.
Within a short half hour, he was already off to work, knowing his wife would figure it out. When Harlin had finished a large load of work for the day, he went back home and plopped himself on the comfy couch.
“Ah,” he groaned. “I need to watch some TV to cool down.” When Harlin’s paw turned the switch, his anger and frustration grew.
“What is this?!” Harlin yelled out. The TV was still broken. This time, the whole screen was fixated on one, non-moving image. The hour long TV screen was fixed on the first second’s screen. Heidi overhead and rushed outside to see what Harlin’s exclamation was about.
“I thought it was fixed,” she said.
“So did I!” her husband replied back. “Looks like we need to take it into town again. And, we’ll have to ask Natalie and Mason to help us move it again!”
“Oh, but it’s too late now. You’ll need to go during your lunch break tomorrow.” What a blow this issue was becoming to Harlin. First, a wasted Sunday and the costs of vegetables. Then, he found out it was still broken and would need to sacrifice another lunch break.
On Tuesday’s lunch break, Harlin didn’t even bother staying for a quick bite of lunch. “I have to leave as soon as possible,” he insisted when Heidi offered him some simple biscuits with light tea. With the TV hoisted in the back of the car, Harlin drove off to the same repairman again. He got back twenty minutes over his lunch break, but his employer wouldn’t be angry. The couple was understanding and had hired Harlin for many years already.
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