August 19-24, 2002--Day 1: Round the dinner table, Mark says he hasn't seen a paper lately. He asks Doc if anything interesting is going on. Doc tells him there's a story he may be interested in. Mark reads and says, "Cat inherits FIVE MILLION DOLLARS! That is interesting!" Cherry, looking over his shoulder, says, "A rich cat, wow!" Rusty says, "Why would anyone leave a cat 5 million dollars...WHAT can an animal do with money?" Mark says there isn't much information in the article. He will check with the bank handling the estate. Rusty asks Mark to photograph the rich cat for him. He tells Andy and Sassy to remember him if they ever inherit any money. Mark meets the bank president and asks about the cat's case. The newspaper said a spinster named Mary Martin left her fortune to the cat. The president says this is partly right. Mary left half of her money to the cat and half to the animal shelter where she got the cat. Ms. Martin loved animals and over the years adopted many pets, but Samantha, the cat, was her favorite. Mark says, "She sounds like a wonderful lady!" The bank president replies, "Mary was attached to her cat more than she was to her other pets! When she became ill, she returned all of her pets to the shelter except Samantha! Mary's only living relative is a niece named Anne Butler...she's a very nice young lady...I'm sure she'll be glad to talk to you about the cat!" Mark wonders what happens to the money when the cat dies. The bank president says it will go to Anne. The will stipulates that the niece is to be given a sizable allowance to care for the cat. If the cat isn't properly cared for, the niece's share of the inheritance goes to the animal shelter.
August 26-31--Day 1: Mark asks Mr. Brown, the bank president if anyone ever checks on the welfare of Anne Butler and the cat. Mr. Brown says a young man at the bank manages the estate and checks up on them regularly. Mr. Brown will call Anne and ask if Mark may come by to take a picture of Samantha. Mark thanks Mr. Brown for his help. Anne Butler, an attractive blonde woman smiles and greets Mark. Mark says, "If I'm not too intrusive, I'd like to ask you some questions about your cat!" Anne touches her chest and replies, "Sure, come in...Samantha has been very popular lately!" Mark says, "I'm sure!" Anne says riches have not changed Samantha. Mark greets the cat, noting that she seems very friendly and asks how old she is. Anne agrees that Samantha is friendly, and says, "My aunt had her for many years, but I don't know her age!" Mark asks if it worries her having a cat worth five million dollars. Anne replies, "A little...I don't let her outside without me being with her!I've become very fond of her, and I would gladly care for her even if my aunt hadn't left her so much money!" Mark holds Samantha and asks, "Miss Butler, since you will eventually inherit the money, do you ever wish that Samantha..." Anne approaches Mark and says, "Please call me Anne, and NO, I DON'T WISH THAT! I hope she lives a long and happy life, and I will do my best to see that she does!" As Mark wishes Samantha the best, the cat begins to resemble a miniature Schnauzer. Anne excuses herself; someone is at the door. Jim, the man from the bank has stopped by to check on Anne and Samantha. Anne is glad. She introduces Mark to Jim Cole. Mr. Cole is powerfully built and has sideburns slightly longer than might be considered respectable.
September 2-7--Day 1: Anne says that Jim comes by to see that Samantha is being cared for properly. Jim says he also checks on Anne's well-being. Mark says, "I won't take any more of your time...if you don't mind, I'll check on Samantha at a later time!" Anne smiles up at Mark and says, "That will be fine!" Mark pets Samantha and wishes all of them the best. After Mark leaves, Jim smiles and says, "Why was Mark Trail here?" Anne replies, "He's a writer, and he's interested in doing a story on Samantha! Mark said he'd let me see the story before he sent it to his magazine...Samantha will be a celebrity! You haven't been by to see us in a long time, Jim!" Samantha, who is wearing a collar and a tag, watches the conversation with great interest. Jim responds, "I had some business out of town!" (These are the exact words once uttered by a villain named Ted Baker. Ted was a banker who was watching over the estate of a little dog who had inherited a lot of money and was being cared for by an attractive woman." Jim greatly resembles Ted, except that his sideburns are a bit shorter. Ted Baker eventually gave the little dog a hated pill and tried to switch dogs. When that ruse failed, he tried to murder the woman. Mark Trail knocked Ted Baker out with just one punch and sent him to prison for a long time. To see a picture of Ted, go to my Mark Trail Handbook and scroll down a little.)Ted, er, Jim asks Anne how Samantha is doing. Anne replies that, "She isn't very active, but the vet said that's normal at her age! She is quite old...my aunt had her for many years before she died!" Jim replies with a smile, "Well, she's in good hands with you!" ( Jim's hair is just a little too bushy!) Anne worries that Samantha doesn't eat very well and may need some sort of vitamins to perk her up. Jim pats Anne's back and tells her she doesn't need to worry about the inheritance. Jim is taking good care of the money. Anne trusts Jim completely. She feels lucky to have someone like him looking out for her welfare. Anne wants Samantha to live a long time, but she doesn't want to lose any of the inheritance before it comes to her. With a smile, Jim reiterates, "Your money is safe, Anne! I'll visit with you again soon!" As Jim rubs Anne's hand, she says, "Thank you, I will look forward to seeing you!" Unknown to Anne, Jim is concerned about the rich cat's age. He thinks to himself, "If that old cat dies anytime soon, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble!" (It sounds like Jim put Anne's money in the same mutual funds as my own 401K plan.) Later, Mark offers a horse a sugar cube as Rusty pesters him, asking, "Did you get a picture of the cat for me, Mark?" Mark says, "I sure did, Rusty...but I haven't had time to develop it!" Rusty bets "...that rich cat is spoiled with expensive food and everything fancy!" Mark says that's not really true. Samantha looks like most tabby cats and is very friendly. Foreground Beaver smiles and waves as Mark adds that Samantha is very old and her guardian, Anne Butler, will eventually inherit the money. Mark thinks that, "The young lady seems to love the cat, and I think she is taking care of it!" Rusty stares at the beaver and says nothing.
September 9-14--Day 1 to Day 2: On what is likely the next day (Day 2), Jim Cole, the man managing the estate of the cat that inherited 5 million dollars, answers the phone in his bank office. A Voice says, "You're BEHIND on your payment, Mr. Cole!" Jim replies, "You shouldn't call me here...you know I'm good for it, it just takes time!" The Voice continues, "You're good at cooking the books, and as you know, the interest DOUBLES when you're late...have a good day!" Jim begins to talk to himself. He says, "I'm in control of a fortune and those casino vultures won't leave me alone! If I move around too much money at one time, the bank accountants might get suspicious and audit the account! I think I'm safe as long as the cat stays alive...and the account isn't transferred to Anne!" Jim has to be sure the old cat stays healthy. He decides to visit the pet store. At the store, the owner recommends cat vitamins. He displays a brand of cat food with vitamins in it. Jim orders a couple of bags. The pet store owner says, "How about another cat? They all need a home!" Jim spies a cat that looks exactly like Samantha. He asks the cat's age. The cat is about 3 years old and up to date on all of her shots. The pet store owner goes on to say that many tabby cats look alike. He thinks the cat will be a good companion to Jim and will give her to him for a fair price. Jim says, "She is friendly...I'll take her, and something to carry her in!" As he leaves the store he remarks that he can't believe how similar the cat is to Samantha. He just hopes he can pull it off!
September 16-21--Day 2: At home, Jim knows that switching the cats is a long shot. He tells his cat, "It won't be long before your name will be Samantha, but for now I'm just going to call you Kitty!" Kitty sits on the chair looking at Jim with a bemused expression. Jim still has to figure out how he will swap Kitty for Samantha. As Jim undresses, he tells Kitty that he will be in a lot of trouble if Samantha dies because the account he manages will be audited before it is transferred to Anne Butler. If that happens, the accountants will learn that Jim has been taking money from the account. Jim calls Anne and says, "Anne, this is Jim Cole...I have some papers you need to sign...I thought I'd pick up a couple of steaks and some wine...interested?" Anne smiles, a faraway look on her face. She says, "That sounds great, Jim...Samantha and I will look forward to seeing you!" Jim apologizes to Kitty; he has to put her back in the box. He tells Kitty not to worry, for soon she will be a rich cat. At Anne's, Jim says, smiling, "How's Samantha and my favorite young lady?" Anne replies, "We're fine...this is so thoughtful of you!" Jim says he picked up something for Samantha at the pet store. Anne eagerly asks, "Oh, what did you get?" Grasping a bottle of wine in a crushing grip, Jim replies, "I found a new brand of cat food that contains vitamins, it may help Samantha's appetite!" Anne grabs the refrigerator handle for support and says, "How thoughtful!" After recovering from her swoon, Anne says, "Jim, it's so thoughtful of you to bring the cat food!" Jim says that since Samantha is a special pet, they have to take good care of her. Anne grabs a salad bown and says, "I'll put a couple of potatoes in the overn and fix a salad!" Jim eagerly grasps a fragile wine glass in a crushing grip and wields the wine bottle in his inimical manner. He says, "That will go well with the steak and wine!" (For a real hoot, go back to my Trail Home Page and click on "WHAT Time Is It, Anyway?" Scroll down a bit and find the panels with Anne and Jim. Right above them, notice the panels from August 1986 of Ted Baker and Sue Ann! Dare we predict the Hated Pill will soon be coming to Anne and Samantha? Hmmm...) Anne thinks it is nice of Jim to spend time with her and Samantha. Jim is never too busy to visit his friends. As Anne turns to remove food from the refrigerator, Jim drops a pill into her wine glass, smiles and says, "We can relax and enjoy the wine...I've already started the coals!" Anne will be right there. Jim suggests a toast to Samantha, the one who brought them together. Anne raises her glass to Samantha.
September 23-28--Day 2: (More classic panels from 1986 appear on the 9.23.02 panels!)As Anne lounges provacatively on the sofa, Jim tells her that it's nice spending time with one of his favorite people. He asks if she would like more wine. Anne declines; she feels sort of drowsy and guesses she is not used to the wine. It is making her sleepy. Jim advises her to lie back and take it easy. Anne will feel better after a little nap. Anne cannot understand why she feels like this. Soon she is sound asleep. Jim says, "That pill really did the trick...she should be out for a while!" Jim picks up the elderly bewildered Samantha and says to the cat, "Nothing personal, Samantha...but I'm afraid you're going to lose your fortune and your home!" Foreground Squirrel watches with alarm as Jim carries the cat to his car. Jim hates to do this to the old cat. He tells Samantha that she looks just like the cat that is replacing her. He tells the younger cat that as soon as he puts Samantha's collar on her, she will become an instant millionaire with a new name and home. In Anne's house, he instructs Kitty not to disappoint him. Anne will be waking soon, so Jim goes to work, cooking steaks on a charcoal grill that appears to be in Anne's living room. Anne awakes and asks what happened to her. Jim is glad that Anne is awake; dinner is just about ready. Anne is not used to drinking wine. Jim says, "It does me the same way sometimes! The steak potatoes and salad are ready if you feel up to eating now!" Anne is embarrassed that Jim "had to do all of the work!" Jim enjoys doing this sort of stuff. (No, don't go there, don't even go there!) As the two eat, Jim notes that "Samantha" seems to enjoy the new food. Anne is surprised; Samantha hasn't been eating much lately. She adds, "Samantha is so much company...I just love her to death!"
September 30-October 5--Day 2 to Day 3: Anne thanks Jim for the dinner. It was Jim's pleasure. He pets "Samantha" and tells her to be good. Anne says that Samantha is always good. After Jim leaves, Anne hugs the cat and says, "I don't know what was in that cat food Jim brought you, but you sure have more energy!" At Lost Forest, Day 3 apparently begins as Mark works at the computer. Cherry looks over his shoulder and asks, "Are you working on the cat story, Mark?" Mark is. He is just about finished, but he would like a few more pictures of the cat. Foreground Geese fly. Mark was not able to get many pictures because Anne had company. Mark calls Anne Butler and asks permission to take more photographs. Anne looks very relaxed. She says, "Sure, Mark, come by anytime...Samantha and I have nothing planned today!" After Mark hangs up, Anne stands up and excitedly tells the cat, "Mr. Trail is coming by to take more pictures of you for his magazine story...you are a celebrity now!" The feline imposter takes the news calmly and says nothing. When Mark arrives, he shakes Anne's hand. Anne holds Mark's hand with both of hers and invites him in. Mark tells her, "I would like to get a couple more pictures for my story!" Anne thinks that Samantha is getting a big head from all the publicity. Mark notes that the cat is more active than when he was last there. Mark is glad to see her feeling better. As he photographs the cat, Mark says that Samantha's personality has changed also. Anne agrees that Samantha is more alert. She tells Mark about the new cat food Jim Cole brought for her. Mark pets the frisky cat and says, "Jim seems like a nice young man!" Anne says, "We think so!" Mark thanks Anne for letting him come by. Anne is looking forward to seeing the story. Mark tells the cat to keep eating the new cat food. He will bring copies of his pictures to Anne in a few days.
October 7-12--Day 3 to Day 4: At home, Jim Cole is just getting around to removing Samantha from the pet caddy. (Just how long this cat has been in the box?! I estimated that we are at Day 3 when Mark and Cherry begin their conversation about the cat story. Therefore, poor Samantha has been in the pet caddy for an entire night!) Jim says, "So far, so good...Anne still thinks she has the real Samantha!" Addressing the Smiling Samantha, he adds, "Now what am I going to do with you...I'd better keep you around for awhile...I'll decide later what to do with you!" Meanwhile, Mark sits at his desk, admiring his photographs of Samantha. They will add a lot to his story. Mark's readers will see what a rich cat looks like. As Mark looks for the best photos for his story he notices that Samantha's markings are different in some of the pictures. In some photos the cat has a dark-tipped tail; in others the tail has a white tip. Mark scratches his head and says, "This is strange...a lot of tabby cats look alike, but in these pictures there seem to be two different cats! In this picture Samantha has a dark-tipped tail...and in this picture she has a white-tipped tail!" As Andy watches, Mark calls Anne Butler. Smiling broadly, Mark says, "Anne, I have some pictures I want you to check...is it convenient to come by today?" Anne says, "Sure, Mark!" (Since Mark asks if he can come by "today," it's reasonable to assume that Mark's previous visit occurred on a different day. Day 4 has arrived. When Mark arrives, Anne is excited about seeing the pictures. She wonders if they came out good. Mark says they did, but he needs to check out something. Mark asks whether Anne has any way of identifying Samantha. Anne says she relies on the tag on the cat's collar. Anne wonders why Mark has asked this question. Mark pets the cat and says, "It's the pictures I took...they don't appear to be the same cat!" Anne shouts, "WHAT?" Mark asks Anne to look at the pictures. Anne looks and says, "WHAT am I looking for? I don't see any difference!"
October 14-19--Day 4: Mark tells Anne to compare the black and white-tipped tails in the cat photos. Anne does not understand. Is Mark saying there are TWO different Samanthas? It sure looks that way to Mark. Mark thinks the cat he examined is much younger than the first cat Anne had. Anne looks sad. She holds the cat and says, "Mark, are you saying that this is NOT the cat that belonged to my aunt?" Mark thinks that's possible. He would like to have the vet check her out. Anne doesn't mind; she holds her head, unable to believe this is all happening. Mark thinks there may be an explanation. The Veterinarian can examine Samantha and compare her health with his records. Anne thinks this is a good idea. Her aunt took Samantha to The Veterinarian also. At the pet clinic, The Veterinarian says that he and Mark are old friends. Mark says, "It's good to see you, Sam...We would like for you to check over Anne's cat!" Sam asks if Samantha has a problem. Mark says she is fine. Can Sam tell them the age of the cat? The veterinarian determines that this cat is only about 3 years old. Samantha was about 12. Sam wonders what this is about? Mark replies, "That's the problem, doc, this cat is SUPPOSED to be the same cat you have records on!" Sam doesn't know why anyone would switch cats. Samantha looks confused. Mark says there must be a reason. He adds, "If someone had kidnapped the cat, I would understand, but to just switch a young cat for an old cat...it's a real mystery!" Sam asks if Mark has any leads as to who swapped the cats. Mark says, "Not yet...but we have an idea...we just don't have a motive yet...Our concern now is whether the original Samantha is still alive!"
October 21-26--Day 4: Anne and Mark have lunch at a restaurant, where Anne develops muscular forearms. Mark wonders if Jim Cole would exchange the cats. Anne doesn't think so. As Mabel (Making a guest appearance from an earlier episode)bears down on the two, wielding a coffeepot, Mark asks Anne who has been in her home since he visited. Jim Cole was the only visitor. Anne insists that Jim is a good man who loves Samantha. Mark presses the issue as several Background Diner Silhouettes eat. He asks if Jim had any chance to exchange cats. Anne doesn't think so. Mark will talk to Jim at the bank. Suddenly Anne says, "Mark, WAIT, I just remembered...when Jim came over for dinner, he brought the steaks and a bottle of wine...After drinking some of the wine, I got sleepy, so I took a short nap...I thought it was because I was not used to having wine...Do you suppose...?" Mark says Jim could have put something in Anne's wine. But how could Jim benefit by swapping cats, and WHAT did he do with the older cat? Anne, distraught, says, "Oh, Mark, I'm so confused...WHY is this all happening?...It's so STRANGE!" Mark will talk to Jim. In Jim's office, a voice emanates from the phone, saying, "We warned you, Mr. Cole, now YOUR TIME IS UP!" Jim says he can explain. He will now be able to make his payments on time. The Voice replies, "Good, your good health may depend on it!" Meanwhile, Mark greets the bank manager and heads to Jim's office. Nearing Jim's door, Mark frowns as he eavesdrops and hears Jim saying, "All I have to do is change a few numbers and transfer the money...It's practically yours now!"
October 28-November2--Day 4: As Mark enters the office, Jim says, "Uh...Mark Trail, It's good to see you! WHY are you here...do you need a loan?" Mark holds out a manila envelope and replies, "I have some pictures to show you!" Flustered, Jim says, "Pictures...WHAT sort of pictures?" Mark holds out the envelope and encourages Jim to "Take a look!" Jim quickly recognizes Anne's cat in the photos. Mark tells Jim to look at the tips of the cat's tails. The first Samantha has a dark-tipped tail; the cat Anne has now has a white-tipped tail. "WHAT are you saying?" says the poker-faced banker. "You say someone SWITCHED cats...WHY would anyone do that?" Mark, as poker-faced as Jim, replies, "I thought maybe YOU could tell me! YOU are the only one who has been in Anne's house besides me!" Jim shouts, "ME? WHY would I switch cats" Jim looks away from Mark's intent gaze. Mark replies, "That's a good question, WHY?" Jim is sorry he can't help Mr. Trail; he will check into it and see how it might affect the cat's inheritance. Mark wishes Jim a nice day. He is sure that he will learn who switched the cats. As Mark drives through what must be mountainous territory, he looks down at a ranch, possibly Lost Forest, hundreds of feet below. Mark reasons that Jim's switching of the cats must have to do with the money Anne will eventually inherit. At Lost Forest, Cherry pours coffee for Mark. She thinks it is strange to switch cats. Mark says, "It is a mystery!" Mark suspects that Jim owes someone a lot of money. He may plan to get the money from Anne's account by cooking the books. As Mark and Cherry wash the dishes (Stock dishwashing panel template!) Mark says, "I sort of suspect Jim owes a big gambling debt and he's being pressured to pay up!" Foreground Great Blue Heron smiles wanly as Mark remarks that he has a writer friend in Las Vegas who can possibly check on Mark's theory. Mark calls this friend, Harry, who agrees to check on it for him.
November 4-9--Day 4 to Day 5: Las Vegas Harry returns Mark's call (Day 5) and confirms Mark's theory. Jim Cole is a regular visitor to the casinos and is up to his neck in debt. Mark thanks Harry. He now owes him one. Andy pants happily. Foreground Hawk watches as Mark's voice emanates from Lost Forest. Mark tells Anne over the phone that Jim is likely stealing her money to pay a gambling debt. Anne had better contact her lawyer and have him request an audit of her aunt's estate. Anne is disappointed in Jim. She thought he was a friend. At the bank, the manager tells Jim that Anne's attorney requested an audit. Sternly, he asks Jim Cole, "What's this all about...WHY would Miss Butler be concerned about her inheritance?" Jim says he has no idea; he will get the information for the auditors. Back in his office, Jim realizes his predicament. If Mark Trail hadn't interfered, Anne would never have known he switched cats. If Jim is audited, he will go to jail. If he doesn't pay his gambling debt, he will die. He says, "I don't have much choice as to what to do!" He decides to transfer the money to an account in the Bahamas and clear out. Meanwhile, Mark calls Anne again and asks where Jim lives. Samantha shrinks as Anne asks if she may go along with Mark. Mark says, "Sure, I'll pick you up!" Jim transfers the account to the Bahamas. It should keep him comfortable for a few years. Soberly, he tells himself, "Now I'll go pick up a few personal items and get out of the country before the auditors realize what I've been doing!" (We wonder WHAT he will do with the real Samantha, who is still in his apartment!) Jim tells his secretary, Mrs. Johnson, that he will be out of his office for a while. "Have a good day, Mr. Cole!" she replies. Jim arrives home in his sports car just as Mark and Anne drive up. Mark tells Anne to wait in the car. Anne will wait until Mark gets into Jim's apartment. At the apartment door, Mark says, "Mr. Cole, I'm glad I caught you at home!" Jim's head whirls as he shouts, "TRAIL?...WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
November 11-16--Day 5: Mark asks, "Do you mind if I come in, Mr. Cole?" Jim answers, "Uh...no..why would I mind? Come in! I'm in sort of a hurry, Mark...WHAT'S this about?" Foreground Squirrel balances and picks an acorn. Mark say he thought Jim might know what happened to Anne's cat. Jim says indignantly, "ME? Why should I know?" Mark points out that, "Besides me, you're the only person who's been in Anne's house lately...YOU must have switched cats!" Jim shouts, "THAT'S RIDICULOUS...WHY WOULD I DO THAT?" That's what Mark would like to know. Jim tells Mark, "You're accusing the WRONG person...I didn't..." Just then, Samantha rounds the corner with a loud, "MEOW." Mark says, "Well, well, who do we have here? What a coincidence...I believe this is Anne's missing cat!" Mark is so excited at discovering Samantha that he fails to notice Jim picking up a glass vase. Jim apologizes as he knocks Mark out with the vase. Mark temporarily changes his appearance as he winces and falls to the ground, looking much as he did in the 1950's. Jim notes that he is in a lot of trouble and he is not inclined to hang around and go to jail. He has only a short amount of time to get to the airport and get out of the country. Jim begins to stuff clothing into what seems to be either a large purse or an old fashioned doctor's medical bag. Jim now says, "I've got everything I need...nothing should stop me now!" Mark holds the side of his head as Samantha watches. At the apartment door, Jim runs into Anne. "ANNE!?" he shouts. Anne shouts, "HIM!..WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERE are Mark and Samantha?" Instead of answering Anne's question, Jim asks, "WHAT are you doing here, Anne?" Anne ignores Jim and asks, "WHERE are Mark and Samantha?" Jim is sorry, but he hasn't time to confess his sins. Pushing Anne, he shouts, "NOW GET OUT OF MY WAY, I'M IN A HURRY! PLEASE get out of the doorway, Anne!" With fire in her eyes, Anne says, "I'm not moving, Jim!" (Classic panel alert--the next two panels from this day--11.06.02--are two consecutive panels from the 1980's Rich Dog vs. Ted Baker episode. Only the hairstyles have changed--ever so slightly! Oh, and Jim's purse appears in the second of these panels!) Jim doesn't want to hurt Anne. Mark shouts, "YOU AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE, MR. COLE!" Jim screams, "MARK! I'M NOT GOING TO JAIL!" Mark bellows that he "...WOULDN'T BET ON THAT!"
November 18-21--Day 5 to Day 8: Jim tells Mark, "You should have stayed out of this, Trail...this is NONE of your business!" Mark says he's made it his business. Jim takes an awkward swing at Mark (Classic caption--only the faces have been altered slightly from the 1980's original). Mark is unconcerned. He tells Jim to give it up...there's NO way Jim can win. Mark then grabs Jim by the lapels and raises his small fist menacingly. Jim quickly concedes; he is not a fighter and he is sorry for what he did. Anne cuddles Samantha. She is glad that Samantha is all right. Mark tells Anne that she now has two cats to care for. Anne wonders what will happen to Jim. Mark believes he will be prosecuted; he is sure the police will take care of Jim's future for a few years. Jim holds his hands over his face in shame. Several days later (Day 8) Mark visits Anne in her home. Anne holds her cats and tells Mark that her attorney has straightened out everything at the bank. Mark knows that's a relief. He cuddles a cat as Anne develops muscular forearms once again and says, "Jim just got too greedy...I guess he thought he could steal from my account without getting caught! The cats get along well together, and they are a lot of company to me!" As Anne thanks Mark for helping him, Mark shakes hands with one of the cats. Soon Mark and Anne are holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes . Mark says, "I'm glad it worked out the way it did, Anne...it will also make a good addition for my story!" Anne replies, "I will look forward to your story, as well as your next visit!" Mark smiles and says, "Thanks!" (The millionaire dog episode ended much the same, with Sue Ann holding the dogs and saying, "All three of us will look forward to your next visit!" One does have to wonder why Mark apparently visits beautiful women from past episodes on a regular basis, since he appears to have a good relationship with Cherry. If only Mark would begin having thought balloons, that we might see into his hidden heart!)