It was Tomoko, the girl with short hair who had saved Charo's life.
After feeding him a sausage, she took him to her apartment and made a nice cozy bed for him.
Charo slept on and off.
Each time he woke up, Tomoko would feed him something.
Hours later, he felt much stronger.
"You know, I really can't believe it when I found you. You're Charo, right?"
"You don't remember me, do you? We met at an Italian restaurant. You walked right past me and I noticed the red star on your collar..."
"I remember you!"
Charo was excited. He wanted to tell Tomoko how glad he was to see her again.
He barked.
Tomoko smiled at him.
"Hey, seems like you understand me. I'm Tomoko. よろしくね。I'm Japanese. I came from Japan years ago."
"I'm from Japan, too."
Tomoko sensed that there was something the pup wanted to tell her.
"Gosh, I wish we could understand each other. Look! I need to go to work now. I'll leave your milk here, and get your some dog food on my way back."
Tomoko patted Charo on the head and started to get herself ready.
"Listen, Charo, I share this apartment with my friend Jane and... she might come back earlier than me. I left her a note. So that she won't be surprised when she sees you. Uh-oh! I'm late."
Tomoko dashed out of her room toward the apartment doorway.
"And you've got company here. Louis, be good to Charo! Okay? I'll see you guys later."
Charo looked around. The place was nice, quiet and relaxing.
Then, suddenly...
"Hmm, a little puppy, and you have the nerve to invade my property."
Startled, Charo hopped out of his dog bed and peeped out from Tomoko's room.
There was a black pug lying on the sofa.
"I am... I'm sorry. I..."
"Who do you think you are?"
Louis kept the bad guy look for a few more seconds before her burst out laughing.
"Come on, kid! Don't be frightened. I was just doing the part of the gangster boss. Wasn't I good?"
"Ah! Ooh! Y...yes, and... You're Louis?"
"Yup! The one and only. You?"
"I'm Charo. Tomoko took me in."
"Is that so? What a surprise! Well, then, I shall invite you to my next show."
"Show?"
"Of course! What else? I'm a famous Broadway star if you want to know."
Louis gave him a meaningful wink.
"And seriously, where did she get you? At the pet shop, down the avenue?"
"No, she pick me up and brought me here. I was lying on the street. Almost dying."
"Wow! How dramatic!"
"How dramatic!"
"Dramatic?"
"Oh, yes, indeed! I mean, you were on the verge of death, when a pretty young girl comes up and takes you in... A moving story!"
"Actually, it's my second time."
"To be taken in? Miraculous!"
"The first time, I was in Japan. I was very little. Shota, my owner, picked me up and took me home. So, this is the second time."
"Are you saying that you came from Japan?"
"Yes."
"Oh-ho! My! A pup from the other side of the world has just landed right in the middle of my apartment! Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. That was Bogie from Casablanca. You know that line?"
"No, I don't."
"Well, then..."
♪Sing and Dance Dog
Someday you'll see
when you're singing and dancing.
Life's a stage and
you can be a star, too.
Grab your dancing shoes.
and sing a happy tune.
Enjoy every day.
Chase your troubles away.
Bright lights! Raise mics!
Cue the curtains and spotlights.
Life's a stage and
you can be a star, too.
