Page 21 - Nutshell 3

food. If the quality of the mice Floyd is selling is not very good
because he wants to make a profit on them, and it makes you other
kittens sick, then he can help you get well for a while with the
medical care he also provides—at a profit. And he can be sure that
the doctors in his clinics will recommend his mice as being essential
to your diet. That’s a vertical trust.”
“If you try that, Floyd, I’ll rip your guts out!” Leonid glowered.
“Now, now, kitties: that was hypothetical. I just wanted you to
understand the facts of life.”
“Why?” asked Meringue suspiciously. The others narrowed their
eyes and started to raise their hackles.
“Because,” said their grandcat blandly, “when you are weaned in a
week or so, you will join the others at the feeding bowls twice a day
to wonder whether it will be Luna Mixed Fowl Pâté, Luna Surf ‘n’
Turf Roundup, Luna Seafood Surprise, Luna Cheesy Pork Crumbles,
Luna Turducken Slices in Gravy or Luna Barnyard Nuggets.”