Adopt a Tiger (6)

Susan counted ten tigers in the room, not including her own. There were all in cages, fortunately. 

The man in front of the nearest cage walked over to her. "I've not seen you before," he said.  

"I've not had my tiger long. I wasn't expecting so many. 

"Oh, they're very competitive these roles, every tiger in the acting community would have applied for it. Likely to be several weeks' of filming and the sort of exposure that money can't buy."

"Has Sandford done TV work before?"

"She was in a yogurt ad."

"I don't think I saw that," said Susan. 

"Oh, not in the UK, this was in Switzerland. Wonderful campaign, made her the biggest feline name in the Swiss republic. Ran for years, made me a pretty penny, mind you, half the fee was paid in yogurt, I think I've eaten enough of that to last a lifetime. Turns your poo white if you eat too much of it."

"But you're not in Switzerland now?"

"No, Sandford has a UK passport, can't get work anywhere in Europe since we left the EU. Politicians! They never once considered the impact on tigers during the Brexit debate."

One by one the tigers were called into the auditioning room by the producer. Terrence was the last to be called.

"How did it go?" Susan asked her neighbour when he returned.

"Terrible. Sandford's been used to working with yogurt, he's never acted with a human before. I'm afraid he got a bit nervous and bitey."

"Oh, he hasn't ..."

"Oh, don't worry, it was only the stand in they use for auditions. The real actress won't get involved until everyone is happy and the tiger knows the script. Still, it's blown Sandford's chances of work in this country, looks like I'll have to be on the lookout for a European tiger she can marry for the passport."

Susan had little time to ponder this response, as Terrence was called through. 

"Good luck little tiger," she said, as they wheeled him into the adjoining room.