The three of them finished their meal, all looking satisfied. Voss rubbed his belly, feeling alive again.
Tom and Jerry were just as content—Jerry even let out a small burp.
"Alright," Voss said, pulling out the last twenty-something dollars from his pocket, his brows knitting together, "now it's time to deal with the real problem."
"We've got three days to figure out how to make enough for rent, or we'll be sleeping on the streets."
Tom tilted his head, gesturing with his paws as if asking if Voss had any ideas.
"I don't exactly have any skills… and writing novels doesn't pay overnight," Voss muttered, rubbing his chin. "If only there was a way to make money fast…"
Suddenly, his eyes caught Tom folding napkins into little flowers, his movements as precise as an artist's, while Jerry was flipping across the table like a trained gymnast.
"Wait a second!" Voss's eyes lit up and he smacked the table. "I've got it—street performance!"
Tom and Jerry both froze and looked at him.
"Think about it—two smart, talented animals like you performing in public? People will eat it up!" Voss said, growing more excited with every word. "Tom, you've got a million tricks up your sleeve. Jerry, you're as quick and agile as any acrobat. If the three of us work together, we're guaranteed to make money!"
Tom thought for a moment, then glanced at Jerry. Jerry's eyes sparkled as he jumped in agreement, waving his tiny paws enthusiastically.
"Perfect! That settles it!" Voss said, standing up. "But first, we need some supplies."
They left the restaurant and headed to a cheap supermarket nearby. Since gang members were still looking for him, Voss needed a disguise.
Inside, he carefully picked out a black baseball cap, a simple clown mask, and some performance props—bright juggling balls, a jump rope, and a little bell.
"Sir, are you sure about this mask?" the cashier asked, raising an eyebrow at the odd combination.
"Yes," Voss replied with a shrug. "It's… my style."
After paying, they stepped outside. Voss pulled the cap low over his head and hung the mask around his neck.
"Next stop—the busiest place in New York. Times Square."
An hour later, they arrived. Times Square was alive with flashing billboards, waves of people, and street performers trying to outshine each other.
"Competition's tough…" Voss muttered as he spotted an older man doing card tricks for a tiny crowd.
Finding a relatively open spot, Voss slipped on the clown mask and cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Step right up, step right up! You're about to witness the most incredible show in New York! Performing cats and mice, right before your eyes!"
He shouted until a few passersby stopped out of curiosity. Most hurried past, but Voss didn't give up.
"Tom, Jerry—your turn!"
Tom took a deep breath, grabbed the juggling balls, and launched into a dazzling routine. Starting simple, he worked his way up until five balls were spinning through the air in perfect arcs.
Not to be outdone, Jerry snatched the jump rope and started skipping with flair—one-legged hops, crossovers, even backflips while spinning the rope.
"Oh my gosh!" a woman gasped. "That cat's juggling!"
"Mom, that mouse is awesome! Way cooler than a circus monkey!" a boy shouted, tugging at his mother's sleeve.
A crowd began to gather, circling around them.
With more eyes on him, Tom pushed harder. He tossed the balls high, pulled a violin from nowhere, and began playing a sweet tune—all while still juggling.
The crowd erupted.
"This can't be real!"
"A cat playing violin and juggling?"
Jerry scrambled up onto Tom's head, balancing perfectly as Tom kept playing. The mouse spun, flipped, and danced on his partner's head, sending the audience wild.
"Unbelievable!"
"Are they robots?!"
"Film this! It's going viral!"
Phones came out, people clapped and cheered, and coins started clinking into the hat Voss had set down.
"Thank you, thank you!" Voss called, voice shaking with excitement. "Now for the grand finale!"
Tom and Jerry shared a quick glance, then launched into a mock chase. Jerry darted away, flipping through the air, while Tom leapt after him in perfect rhythm.
Finally, Jerry whipped out a tiny hammer and smacked Tom on the head. Tom flattened like a pancake, then popped back into shape like a balloon, brushing himself off to the roar of the crowd.
The street went wild.
"This is insane!"
"I've never seen anything like it!"
"Better than Broadway!"
By now, the hat was filling with bills as well as coins. Voss could hardly contain his grin.
The show went on for nearly an hour, with the crowd three layers deep. Tom and Jerry gave it their all—juggling, balancing, slapstick comedy—until Voss finally stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that's all for today!" he announced. "Thank you for your support! If you'd like to see more, come back tomorrow—we'll be here!"
The crowd slowly dispersed, still buzzing with excitement.
Voss bent down and eagerly counted the money. "One, two, three… one hundred and eighty-seven dollars! In just two hours!"
Tom and Jerry huddled close, proud grins on their faces.
"You two are amazing!" Voss said, pulling them both into a hug. He kissed each one on the cheek. "At this rate, rent won't be a problem at all!"
As the sun dipped low over Times Square, the three of them stood together, warmed not just by the glow of neon lights, but by the feeling that—even in a strange new world—they had each other.