[ WP ] Monsters Inc. has gone over to laughter in place of screams . However , as depression numbers grow , business is getting worse .

`` Mike, I do n't know what to do; Boo just wo n't laugh anymore.'' James Sullivan rubbed his paws over his eyes and sighed. 
 
 `` Sull, you ca n't give up. The factory is going under and you used to be the best. Please, give it just one more shot,'' Mike pleaded, gently gripping his friend's arm. 
 
 James turned and faced the dingy white door. He traced his claws over one of the faded purple flowers that once used to bring him great happiness when Monsters Inc. switched from screams to laughs in order to power their world. 
 
 `` Please, Sull. Just one more,'' Mike said. James took a deep breath and plastered a smile on his cheeks before stepping over the threshold. 
 
 He noticed how much her room had changed. It was n't the girlish pink and white like it used to be and the toys that were always scattered on the floor had long since been forgotten about or thrown away. The walls were just a plain creme color and hardly any decorations were added. James remembered when Boo said she was growing out of her `` girly'' phase and did n't need all of those `` stupid crafts'' hanging up anymore. 
 
 As he walked further into the room, James' sadness only grew when he saw her sitting cross-legged on her bed with a bleeding arm. She was looking intently into her flesh and he saw tiny droplets fall off the tip of her nose. 
 
 James cleared his throat and waited. Boo jerked her head up and suddenly chucked something at the wall. Quickly pulling her sleeve down and wiping her eyes, she got up from her bed to give James a hug. He wrapped his giant arms around her and chuckled warmly. Boo pulled away and gave a small smile, tucking her arms behind her back. 
 
 `` It's good to see you, Kitty. I, uh... Was n't expecting to see you today,'' She said, wringing her hands. James paused. He always loved that nickname. 
 
 `` Yeah, I thought I'd stop in and see how you were doing. God, it's always amazing to see how you've just grown up so fast. How old are you now?'' 
 
 `` Eighteen.'' 
 
 `` Ah, right.'' 
 
 `` Yeah...'' 
 
 The silence between them was tangible. James took note of the fact that Boo had neon blue streaks in her hair now. Her hair always reminded him of spider eyes: deep black and shiny and beautiful. 
 
 `` So... I guess you're here to try to make me laugh, huh?'' Boo stared out her bedroom window. James almost agreed with her statement, but something made him stop. He looked down at her and sighed heavily. Reaching out and laying his paws on Boo's shoulders, he turned her toward him. 
 
 `` Boo, come sit with me.'' He walked to beside her bed and sat down. Boo eased herself next to him and waited. 
 
 `` Kitty, what is it?'' 
 
 James closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. 
 
 `` Do you remember the first day you found me?'' Boo rolled her eyes. 
 
 `` Of course I do.'' 
 
 James laughed softly and rubbed the back of his neck. 
 
 `` I'll never forget how you thumped my tail on the floor or clung to my back when I tried to flush all those crafts of yours down the toilet.'' 
 
 A smile twitched over Boo's face. 
 
 `` And I'll never forget that adorable laugh you gave when Uncle Mike busted his... Well, you remember.'' 
 
 `` I remember all of it,'' she said quietly, looking down at her lap. James turned his gaze to her and rested his elbows on his knees. 
 
 `` Boo... What happened? Where's the sweet little girl who always ran off to play? Where did your laughter go?'' James was on the verge of crying as he anticipated her answer. A few minutes ticked by, but to him, it felt like forever. 
 
 `` Kitty...'' Boo's shoulders began to tremble. 
 
 `` I-I do n't know what happened... I've just felt this way for a really long time and I'm sorry that you had to see me like I was when you came in, a-and I know I s-should've told y-you but I d-did n't know --'' 
 
 James felt his heart break as she started crying and he pulled her into his arms. Stroking his paws over her hair, Boo pounded her fists against his chest and he silently cried as each hit felt like a hammer destroying his heart. 
 
 After some time, they both stopped crying and James let go of Boo. Taking a deep breath, she spoke. 
 
 `` I'm not the little girl you remember. Sometimes people change, and not in a good way. I changed, and it came from years of heartache. It's something I live with now and I do n't think it'll ever go away.'' 
 
 `` Why did n't you ever tell me?'' James asked. 
 
 `` Because I did n't want anyone to know,'' she answered coldly. He did n't understand, but did n't press the matter. Boo exhaled loudly. 
 
 `` I'm glad you came to visit today, Kitty.'' She wrapped her arms around his chest and gave him a firm squeeze. 
 
 `` And do n't worry about me. One day I'll be ok.'' Boo smiled and stood up, tugging on his paw. James gathered himself and headed for the door. Before walking through into the factory, Boo grabbed hold of his tail. 
 
 `` You'll come back tomorrow, right?'' She said hopefully. James grinned and turned back to give her one final hug. 
 
 `` You know it, kiddo.'' 
 
 Boo waved at him. `` Goodbye, Kitty.'' 
 
 `` See you later, Boo.'' 
 
 As James strode back into the monster world and Boo's door was closing behind him, the last thing he heard was a loud pop, barely covered by the soft click of the lock.
