Hey there,

For those of you that read this, I hope you enjoy it.  That being said, this may offend some readers.  This is merely the way I view myself, and what being a furry means to me.  These are my views, and this is not intended to insult anyone elses view.  I would love to hear your opinions, but please, no flames, as in no way did I mean to offend or force my views on others.  Thank you, and enjoy.

Scene 5

At RISE:

(A country café.  It is a sunny, beautiful day.  There are several tables, surrounded by chairs, and people are scattered around at the tables.  At on near the front of the café, Dave and Aaron are sitting close together.  Opposite them are Dave's parents, Jeff and Eileen.)

Jeff

I don't understand, what do you mean you're a “furry"?  Is that a cult or something?

Dave

It's not a cult, it's a word to describe a person who views themselves or identifies with anthropomorphic animals.

Aaron

Technically, it's a fandom.

Jeff

A what?

Aaron

Never mind, it's not important.

Jeff

So not only are you into guys. You like animals too?  I'm not sure I can condone that.

Dave

Jeez, why is that always the response?  It's not that we like animals in a sexual way, we just identify as them.

Aaron

Furry is a rather nebulous term, as it encompasses quite a range of people.  Dave and I are more of what people picture when they hear the word furry.  We both identify strongly with our animal forms, and dress and act as such.

Jeff

Really?  I don't see either of you on all fours.

(Dave smirks, and Aaron kicks him under the table.)

Dave

Ow, what was that for?

Aaron

(Mutters)

I thought the goal of this was to explain our relationship.

Dave

So?

Aaron

(Mutters)

Don't be dirty then.  He has a valid point.

Aaron (Cont'd)

(Aloud so the others can hear)

Sorry about that.  When I say animals, I don't mean in the traditional way.

Dave

Earlier, Aaron said that the term furry referred to a fandom, and that is probably the best way to think of it, at least for now.

Jeff

Sorry, but what is a fandom?

Dave

A fandom is a group of fans of an idea or concept or media item that have formed a distinct culture.  Trekkies, for example.  Furries, however, are fans of a concept, specifically anthropomorphic animals.

(Jeff furrows his eyebrows)

Jeff

If you're trying to make this sound normal, you're not doing very well.  To me, it sounds like you share some freaky fetish for cartoons or something.

Dave

What about you mom, what do you think?

(Eileen looks up, startled)

Eileen

Oh, I don't know what to think.  This is between you and your dad.

(She goes back to staring down blankly)

Aaron

It isn't a fetish, not for us anyway, and it's not about cartoons, either.  When he says anthro-animals, he doesn't mean like Looney tunes.  He means… I don't know, It's hard to explain.  When I think of myself.  Who I am, of course I know I'm human.  I'm not delusional.  But that's only superficially.  When I see myself in my mind's eye, I see a humanoid grey wolf with hands like paws, and streaks of blue fur.  I feel more comfortable as that form, more free and open, more confident.  Forgive me for talking about sex, or preferences thereof, although to be honest, maybe if people were more honest and open about it, and could speak without feeling shame or fearing prejudice there would be more tolerance in the world… but I digress.  I've never felt attracted to humans.  There, I said it.  But don't think that means I want to go and do it with a dog, either.  I feel attraction toward other anthros, or furries as we are called.  I love your son for his personality, his creativity, and the fact that he cheers me up when my life seems to be over.  If he wasn't a German Shepard with deep golden eyes and luscious black fur, though, I probably couldn't say he was my soul mate.

Dave

So if I wasn't a dog, you wouldn't love me?  That's a little insulting.  Maybe we should have talked this through before.

Aaron

I would love you whether you were a dog, a tiger, or a dragon.  I would probably be your best friend if you were purely human, but I wouldn't find you sexually appealing enough, and we wouldn't connect on the same level if we didn't share this similarity; you wouldn't be my soul mate.  I know that probably sounds shallow or mean-spirited, but I hope you know I don't mean it that way.  I'm also pretty sure this sounds messed up and perverted to you, Jeff, and I don't really expect you to accept our views and identities, but I do hope you can accept or understand that as a culture, we exist, and that our feelings, our dreams and our fears aren't that different from yours.  Despite the difference in self-perception, I don't really see why this can't work out well.  

(Aaron leans against Dave as he finishes, then remembers his surroundings and sits bolt upright.  Jeff seems to be in deep thought, and Eileen continues to stare out the window.)

Jeff

I think I see where you're coming from.  I won't pretend I really understand your relationship, but I can't see a reason not to support you.  I haven't been that great of a father, but hopefully that will change.

Dave

Thanks, dad.

(Jeff smiles and shakes hands with his son)

Jeff

So, tell me more about yourselves, and furries I suppose.  Are you a large group?

Aaron

Quite large, actually.  There are probably thousands of furs.  The fandom gets a bad rap for not being friendly and open to the media, although that is usually because the media turns around and portrays us as perverts.  It's a diverse group.  Not everyone identifies as completely as Dave and I do.  Some just wear ears or a tail, some only role-play online as their fursona, and some just read the stories or look at the art people draw.

Dave

A fursona is the furry form.

Jeff

Ah, I suppose you have conventions?

Dave

Yes, quite a few.  In fact, I'm showing my art at Anthrocon next weekend.

Jeff

Next weekend?

(Beat)

So that's why you wanted to skip the church hike.  Well, I suppose you won't be doing those anymore.

Dave

I will.  We don't want to ruin our appearance, do you?

Jeff

It's up to you.  This town could use to expand its views.

Dave

Yikes, what brought this unexpected openness and support about?

Jeff

The thought of losing my son.  I'm going to go start the car and give you two a moment.  Welcome to the family, Aaron.

(Jeff leaves.  Eileen looks at Aaron, smiles slightly, then she too leaves.  Aaron and Dave interlock fingers and hold hands.)

Dave

Welcome to the family, Aaron.

Aaron

That went well.  That would never happen in my family.  My dad would either be absent or be present, but blindly support me in order to piss off my mom, and mom would break any argument I made line by line to see why I'm wrong, assuming I could build up the courage to say anything.  

Dave

Speaking of unexpected, since when have you spoken up for your views?

Aaron

You give me confidence.  What's up with your mother?  She seems a bit…

(beat while he searches for the word)

…distant.

(Dave frowned)

Dave

She and dad have issues.

Aaron

Oh.  Sorry.

Dave

Yeah, it sucks.  You should contact your parents, though.  It's not fair to them that you just left.

Aaron

They were very unfair, and caused me a lot of grief.  All I wished for was something similar to the acceptance you found in your family.  But, no.  Mom just wanted to fix me.

Dave

You should still call them though; they deserve to know you're ok.

(Dave pauses, looking at a flier in the window, and then pulls away from Aaron and goes to get it.  Aaron watches as he walks away, and then sighs.  Dave comes back, holding the flier for the church dance.)

Aaron

I guess you're right.

Dave

(smiles deviously at Aaron)

I have an idea, and I think you'll like it.

End Scene 5