Episode 15 - The Cat Who Wasn't There

 Episode 15 - The Cat Who Wasn't There

After rushing back from the Potato Mountains because Polly was threatened by a mystery man, Qwill decides to join her on a trip to Scotland.  He hasn’t been there since the honeymoon of his ill-fated marriage and he wants to make some better memories.  He’s also trying to avoid the newly returned Melinda Goodwinter, who makes it very clear that she is still aiming to wrangle Qwill to the altar, although her reasons are a little different this time around. The Theatre Club stages Macbeth, and the Scotland trip is pretty much cursed from the start. Even with Koko thousands of miles away, he's still alerting Qwill to when "fair is foul and foul is fair"

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This is the first mention of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (and as we know, Qwill’s mother was a Mackintosh) who was a 19th century architect, designer and artist, notable in the modernist and Arts Nouveau periods.  I’ll post some of his designs on the blog.  This was my first encounter with his work and it’s a style I really like - clean lines, geometric nature inspired patterns and beautiful simple architecture, especially the Scotland Street School. 

    In previous books, a local gossip was identified by her calling of everyone “Dear Heart”  we have an identity - Grace Utley Chisholm!!

    There’s a bit of a dust-up as the tour attempts to continue.  Lisa tells Qwill that Larry will be managing the tour, and he asks why she and Polly aren’t doing it, as they’re completely capable.  Lisa replies, “ If a Man is in charge, he’ll be considered well informed, well organized and a good leader.  Because Irma was a woman, she was called Fussy, bossy and a know-it-all. [...] Of Course it’s preposterous, but that’s the way it is in Moose County and it’ll take a couple of generations to change that attitude.”  You are right on Lisa.  Sorry it hasn’t gotten much better.

    A Further example - After Dr. Halifax Goodwinter dies and Melinda takes over the practice, his male patients abandon the clinic for a male doctor in Lockmaster, but women start coming in droves. 

    Signs of the times: There was some discussion in The Cat Who Played Post office about the cost of Qwill’s first car and how they wanted more for a 10 speed bike these days. We finally learn the cost of Qwill’s first car- $150.  Also Qwill works the box office for MacB and they can’t take credit cards, but checks are ok. 

    Nick Bamba mentions his and Lori’s plans to open a B&B one day that will permit pets (Lori mentioned it in The Cat Who Moved A Mountain, so plans are definitely in the works!).

    Scottie of Scotties men’s shop is continuing to expand Qwill’s wardrobe- this time it’s a suede blazer and he complains he’s never spent that much on a single item before. Sadly the blazer is ruined by a rogue squirt of butter at the new Pickaxe hotel and Qwill is really salty about it. He even yells at the hostess that he’s going to charge them for a new blazer! Dude, you have more money than god, let the blazer go. 

    Also thanks to that incident, I know the difference between Chicken Kiev (breaded chicken rolled around garlic butter) and Chicken cordon bleu (breaded chicken rolled around Swiss cheese).

    Qwill is a good friend here - Bushy is going through a divorce and needs to start fresh in Pickaxe.  Not only does Qwill get him hooked up with the Something for photography assignments, he convinces Arch to have the Something sponsor an exhibition of Bushy’s Scotland photos to tie in with the Theatre Club’s Macbeth opening.

    Qwill is NOT however a creative gift-giver.  In the Cat Who Moved a Mountain, he brought home handwoven batwing capes for Polly, Hixie, Fran, Lori and Mildred. Same design, different colors.  He then brought home a cairngorn brooch for each woman from Scotland.  At an event recognizing distinguished women in the community, all five women wear their capes and brooches, and all end up on the stage together with their commemorative plaques!!  His defense? “I clearly know a lot of distinguished women!”

    Some excellent news - Arch Riker has transferred his affections from the ungrateful Amanda Goodwinter to the warm and wonderful Mildred Hanstable.  A wonderful match all around!

    Cats will be cats - Yum Yum steals Mildred’s emery boards and presents them to favorite humans.  Koko and Yum Yum steal Qwill’s butter soaked blazer and clean the suede (one lapel is more roughly sueded than the other but it’s clean!)