FADE IN.

EXT. AN URBAN COURTYARD BETWEEN APARTMENT BUILDINGS - DAY

ARIEL stands facing a door that has just closed.

A bland feline in a bland suit and cheap sunglasses, SMITH, comes
seemingly from nowhere and approaches Ariel from behind.

SMITH
(calling)
Miss Thornton!

Ariel turns to Smith, transforming from feline to phoenix form in a
flame that races up her body as she does so.

SMITH
Surprised to see me?

ARIEL
(Genuine)
Not really...

SMITH
So you're aware of it. Of what happened.

ARIEL
(Mildly annoyed)
Got a point?

SMITH
Very well, I'll get right to it. I killed you, Miss Thornton.
I chopped you into a bucket of hot-wings and extra crispy legs.
You were satisfyingly delicious, I might add.

ARIEL
(Sarcastically)
I aim to please.

SMITH
(Echoing the sarcasm)
Thank you.
(Serious again)
But then something happened. Something I knew shouldn't have
happened, but it happened anyway. You destroyed me.

ARIEL
(Folding arms, scolding)
Serves you right for eating Kentucky Fried Phoenix. Phoenixes
tend to regenerate in firey ways. Duh...

Both stop, then turn to a nearby park bench.

A generic anthro furry is sitting on the bench watching them and eating
a bird leg. The bucket next to him reads:

KFP: WE DO PHOENIX RIGHT

He stops eating, looks at Ariel, looks at his bucket of bird legs, then
looks at his half-eaten bird leg. He tears up as he again looks at
Ariel, looks at the bucket, then looks at the leg. He begins crying and
resumes eating the bird leg.

SMITH
Awkward?

ARIEL
Awkward.

FADE OUT.