INT. REY'S ROOM – MORNING]
(Ella walks in holding Happy's cage. She places it gently on the bed and tiptoes toward the sleeping cat curled beside Rey.)
ELLA
(whispering)
Alright, let's do this…
(She slowly reaches out to grab Happy. The moment she lifts him, he instantly wakes up, hisses, and leaps off the bed.)
ELLA
(sighs)
I knew it. You have no manners.
(She rushes to Rey and shakes her awake.)
ELLA
Rey! Rey, wake up! Help me, please!
REY
(mumbling, half-asleep)
Huh… what happened?
ELLA
Help me put Happy in the cage! I have to return him!
REY
Already? But we just bonded…
ELLA
For Damian, Rey. Please!
REY
(yawns, rubs her eyes)
Fine… give me the cage.
(Rey picks up the cage and approaches Happy gently.)
REY
Hey kitty, come on… please?
(She softly picks him up. Surprisingly, Happy doesn't resist. She places him inside the cage, and Ella quickly locks it.)
ELLA
(smugly)
Aha! Now show me your hissing and biting!
(Happy calmly turns around and goes straight to sleep inside the cage.)
ELLA
(annoyed)
This cat is seriously getting on my nerves.
REY
(mumbling)
Still better than you...
ELLA
(sarcastic)
Oh wow. Thanks for the support.
Ella stands near the curb, wearing a navy blue coat over a white shirt, black jeans, ankle boots, and a scarf. Her hair is tied in a ponytail. She holds Happy's cage in one hand.
A sleek car pulls up. She opens the door and gets in.
INT. CAR – CONTINUOUS
DAMIAN
Is Happy okay? He didn't bother you, right?
ELLA
(hands him the cage)
I think you already saw the proof in that photo.
DAMIAN
Yeah, I knew it. He's a good boy—just like me.
(cuddles Happy)
ELLA
(awkward smile)
Yeah… just like you.
(muttering)
Annoying.
DAMIAN
(to Mr. Mah, proudly)
I told you she could handle it.
MR. MAH
(smiling, taking the cage)
Yep, you were right.
ELLA
(tilting her head)
Wait—can I ask something?
DAMIAN
Go ahead.
ELLA
Why was Happy with you? Is he yours?
DAMIAN
Oh, no. Happy is actually Mr. Mah's cat. He lives alone, so I help out sometimes.
ELLA
(surprised)
Then why does Happy act like he's your twin?
DAMIAN
Because he spends a lot of time at my place. I guess he picked up my vibe.
MR. MAH
(chuckling)
His real name is Thor.
ELLA
(shocked)
Thor?!
DAMIAN
Yeah, but he makes me happy—so I started calling him "Happy."
MR. MAH
Now he's so used to it, he doesn't even respond to "Thor" anymore.
ELLA
(confused)
Okay…?