small_animals past a sign hangs above the door "dr. d. frank, vm, specialist in very small animals." "this looks like the place," he says looking into the small cage holding edison, his pet shrew. "i hope the rates are reasonable." edison is a peculiar pet, not least for being a shrew and not some other more common rodent. a few days ago, though, his eye began to puss. he needs a vet. the man pushes through the door to as a big band rendition of the spiderman theme announces his arrival. he pauses. "this is not what expected." the walls are lined with aquariums filled with chirping crickets, skittering spiders, crawling ants, and other insects and arthropods. there are also large microscope-type devices. "just a second!" a voice calls from a back room. "if you have a patient, put them in the heating tray!" "the what now? edison, i think we should go," he whispers and begins backing up. as he tries to silent open the door, a woman in a white coat, dr. d. frank embroidered on the chest, sweeos into the room. "and who do we have here?" she asks warmly as she peers into an empty aquarium. "hmmm, don't be shy!" he slowly edges forward again, flustered. lifting the cage he starts to explain "it's edison you see. his eyes have this weird gunk." "young man, your dear edison is likely lost. don't you know to have an enclosed carrier?" "wait, what? why? how does the air get in?" "the question is how does your dear little bug not fall out." "bug?" "sorry sorry sorry. i don't mean to offend. i'm trying to reclaim the word. it's more general purpose you know. i take in all kinds." "uh. including shrews?" she laughs warmly "dear god no, i work with a supplier. it's important to make sure our little friends eat properly." his face goes white. "eat... shrews?" "mice usually, only for large spiders and the like. shrews are a bit exotic. import fees add up quick." at that moment edison peeked out of the carrier, his nose twitching. dr. d. frank looks down horrified. "oh shit not again." she kneels and puts her warm voice back on "my little friend, you are not food, just in the wrong place." she looks up, "sir, i'm sorry. i care for small animals. very small animals. those with exoskeletons and at least six legs, unless of course they lost some in injuries. i cannot help your poor little one." "i, but, what, wait, uh" the man stammers. "you might be looking for dr. b. franks, around the corner," she offers. the man and shrew nod, both stunned, and depart. 220718 ... past (makes typos) (they abound) 220718 ... epitome of incomprehensibility I enjoyed this a lot! Clever writing, and your insect vet nicely reverses the trope of crickets only being bought as iguana and gecko food. 220718 ... raze i love this too, not least for the surprising turn it takes at the end. i'll never look at a shrew the same way again! 220718 what's it to you? who go blather from