The Thoughts of Chairman Potemkin
I am by nature a philosophical cat, a Zen puss you might say. Not for me stalking the streets at night, territorial scraps, undignified cat fights or chasing females. I prefer to sit quietly and zone into St John’s thought waves when he is in his armchair contemplating a case. He finds that the rhythmic stroking of me while in this state of meditation helps to him to focus on the facts of an investigation and make valuable connections. Unfortunately, these pleasant interludes are often rudely interrupted when he has a Eureka Moment, as I like to call them, and I am without warning dumped on the floor.
I have to admit I am subject to bad temper though I would never abase myself to bite. I would rather express my displeasure by leaving the room and remaining in the peace and darkness among the trunks and rolled up carpets under St John’s bed. But I am not, like my French cousin Henri – you may have seen him on UTube – prone to depression. You may mistake my inactivity for laziness but I am just tuning into the sounds of the universe.
St John is particularly fond of opera and it has taken me quite a while to appreciate it. I still find the very loud ecstatic singing of some sopranos difficult to handle and I hate straining tenors. I prefer the music of Handel and Mozart to that of the later opera composers. And I am not at all keen on Wagner though some of his melodies are pleasant enough. I feel uncomfortable with extreme emotions but unfortunately that is largely what opera is about.
But in general, there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting on St John’s lap, after a good meal, and listening to music. My favourite instrument is the cello. The rich, warm sounds of that instrument resonate with me and like St John, I dislike the violin though it has to be admitted that Cecilia can make a very acceptable sound. But there again, she is, like St John, exceptional.
Although my assistance in St John’s work is largely confined to helping him think, I have on occasion taken a more active role. I recall having to very quickly and nimbly jump onto a cushion on a chair that was concealing a priceless, illustrated Japanese book while the gentleman from the Japanese Embassy was clearly mystified as to where the book might be. It did give me quite a thrill.