January 26

draped over his shoulder, he looked alarmingly like Lovey Faye. But another thought was more troubling.

Both Patrick and his brother John were analytical thinkers. John directed his considerable brain power toward practical solutions and problem-solving; Patrick’s specialty was analysis and theory.  While John was precise and focused, Patrick was contemplative, formulating abstract ideas. Both of them agreed on the importance of using one’s head.

But they differed when it came to established institutions.  John trusted them only as much as explicit procedures were in place to make them work correctly.  Pat disliked rigid standards, believing instead in constant evaluation.  Institutions like schools, banks, religions and governments all demanded adherence to rules, and Pat was never their advocate.  So when he wasn’t thinking about math and physics, he brooded over cultural dilemmas and ways to correct them.

“What makes you cats so smart, Panzer?” Patrick patted her absently.  “You all seem to live happily enough without demanding too much of each other.  Why can’t people do that?”

Pansy rubbed her head against Pat’s face, trying to alleviate his frustration.  Of all the noisy, crazy Nerdites, she loved this long-haired human the most.  She wished she could ease his discontent by telling him about Beamer’s visit that afternoon.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about things, Pansy,” Beamer had said after they’d discussed the Carrier news. “We have an exceptional community of cats in Shenango and some remarkably good humans.  With a combination like that, amazing things can happen.”

Pat got up from the desk and started pacing, Pansy riding along.  “The problem is fundamental,” Patrick said.  “People think they’ve got to have things: money, stuff, power or relationships.”  He stuck a pencil behind his ear; Pansy gave the stick a retaliatory bite.  “Even when people get those things,” Pat continued, “they’re still unhappy and can’t figure out why.  Seems to me the only way to be satisfied is to work toward developing your own talents and qualities, and allowing others to do the same.  Fighting over everything else is a going-nowhere, dead-end  distraction.”  Still chewing on the pencil, Pansy gave him an encouraging “raaow”.

 “That’s it, then!” Pat punched the air with such conviction, Pansy almost fell off his shoulder.  “You cats have a cool sort of  ‘catocracy’—I’m going to start my own ‘Patocracy’.  It’ll be based on personal enrichment and mutual respect.”   

Sprinting to the chair, Pat’s fingers hit the keyboard, typing frantically.  He had to get his ideas down right now—-he’d refine it later with his brother’s help—John’s logical mindset would be invaluable.