Before They Were Night Vale: Bodega Cat

Welcome to "Before They Were Night Vale", our feature in which Night Vale creators Jeffrey and Joseph share writing from before their Welcome to Night Vale collaboration, along with commentary. Come explore their early writing, both good and bad

In July of 2019, New York City experienced a three hour blackout. In most places, a three hour blackout is a minor annoyance, but of course if it happens in NYC, where all the reporters live, it becomes national, maybe even international news.

Soon after, the singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer made a post suggesting a song writing exercise: go through all the details in the various news reports about the blackout, and write a song about it. I always like a prompt, so I gave it a go, and the result is one of my favorite songs I've ever written.

The premise is simple: yes, we know the blackout was annoying for people. But how was the experience for one of the city's most iconic residents? 

Song above, lyrics below. Please enjoy Bodega Cat.

Way down there
Nervous folks in subway cars
Are trapped in claustrophobic dark
Making guess about where in the tunnels they are.

Bodega cat, stretched out cross two bags of rice
Thinks the lights out is kind of nice
It’s just like any other closing time

And way up there, nervous folks in office chairs
Wonder if they should wait for the elevator
Or make a go at the stairs

Bodega cat, prowls past the refrigerator
That still three hours later
Feels nice and cool against his tail

Bodega cat doesn’t care
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Somewhere between a panic and a street fair
Bodega cat doesn’t care

A couple that were standing on the alter
Caught in darkness saw an opportunity
Got married in the middle of fifth avenue

Bodega cat was wondering at the lack of sound
Had gotten used to a hum all around
Knew electricity but didn’t know that he knew

Helpful folks standing there with glo sticks
Replacing street lights and gps
Wearing reflective gear, doing their part

While halal carts, standing in for restaurants
Got on with it as usual
Cooking chicken and onions in the dark

Bodega cat doesn’t care
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Somewhere between a panic and a street fair
Bodega cat doesn’t care

Bodega cat noticing that the doors not closed
That’s not usually how the nighttime goes
Thinks maybe he should check it out

Bodega cat, strolled out on the sidewalk
Watched the neighbors direct cars
Glanced up and for the first time for the first time

Bodega cat saw the stars
Bodega cat saw the stars
Somewhere between the panic and the street fair

A few hours later we all had power
And bodega cat was curled up by the skittles and the now and laters
Dreamed of galaxies and planets, full of with beer coolers and can foods
And most of all stars.