Noises

Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause. Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause.
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"There it is again - the same as last night. Make it stop! I can't sleep."
"I can't hear it. What is it?"
"Put your hearing aids in and be quiet! Don't scare it."
"Hell! Your imagination works overtime. Too bad nothing else does. Just to shut you up - OK. I'm up."
"Be quiet! Don't scare it."
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***
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"I don't hear anything."
"Sit down and be quiet. It will start again soon."
"How do you know?"
"I've been listening for over a week. It's always the same."
"Is it in the same spot? What else do you hear? Why don't I hear it?"
"It moves but it's always in that corner. The pauses get longer the longer it goes on. 'Cause, you won't wear the aids. There, there it is!"
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Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause. Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause.
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"Don't you year it? Two scratches, scrape, pause, and start again?"
"No"
"Turn up those aids! Listen here."
"Quit telling me what to do. You're imagining things. Go to sleep."
"Go to the couch; I'll watch TV here 'til I get sleepy."
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*** *** ***
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"Wake up! I hear it by the couch."
"I'm sleepy now; turn on your TV so you don't hear it!"
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Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause. Scratch, scratch, scrape. Pause.