--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My tablecloth was missing in action and…" description: "\"My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scratches looked suspiciously like letters. I climbed on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png" --- # My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged… ![“My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scratches looked suspiciously like letters. I climbed on a chair and looked at it from above. MINE. Oh, that's great. Fantastic. So mature. Perhaps he would pull my pigtails next or stick a tack on my…” quote by Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png) > “My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scratches looked suspiciously like letters. I climbed on a chair and looked at it from above. MINE. Oh, that's great. Fantastic. So mature. Perhaps he would pull my pigtails next or stick a tack on my seat.” [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A protagonist discovers mysterious scratches resembling letters on a table, hinting at a hidden message or prank, and reacts with sarcasm and suspicion. **In simple terms:** Mysterious scratches suggest a hidden message, leading to sarcastic suspicion. Key Takeaway Question the source of odd clues. Themes mystery humor suspicion Mood curious ironic Type literary humorous When to use this quote - investigating clues - reading hidden messages - addressing sarcasm Key Concepts prank interpretation perception Questions to Reflect On - What could the scratches really mean? - How does sarcasm affect investigation? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantastic/) [Pigtails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pigtails/) ## Related quotes > [“A delicate soul is like a soft surface and scratches occur on soft surfaces very easily!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/a-delicate-soul-is-like-a-soft-surface-and-scratches-occur-on-soft/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“There's something not quite Christian about it," Tony said. He sat back in his chair and looked up to where his Bible sat on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-comeau/there-s-something-not-quite-christian-about-it-tony-said-he-sat-back/) [Joey Comeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-comeau/) > [“She leaned back a little in her chair and looked at me in silence for a considerable time. Finally she said, “Of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/she-leaned-back-a-little-in-her-chair-and-looked-at-me-in-silence-for/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [I sat down on the edge of a deep soft chair and looked at Mrs Regan. She was worth a stare. She was trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/i-sat-down-on-the-edge-of-a-deep-soft-chair-and-looked-at-mrs-regan/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [I wanted to design a chair which looked like a shrub pruned to look like a chair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-schultz/i-wanted-to-design-a-chair-which-looked-like-a-shrub-pruned-to-look/) Richard Schultz > [“I leaned my head on the back of the wooden chair and looked over at his handsome profile, all alight in the glow of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-sheridan/i-leaned-my-head-on-the-back-of-the-wooden-chair-and-looked-over-at/) [Mia Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-sheridan/) > [“He gestured Arthur toward a chair which looked as if it had been made out of the rib cage of a stegosaurus. “It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/he-gestured-arthur-toward-a-chair-which-looked-as-if-it-had-been-made/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [I never wear pigtails, I wear plaits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/i-never-wear-pigtails-i-wear-plaits/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [I'm a big deal That's why I get more head than a pigtail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-m-a-big-deal-that-s-why-i-get-more-head-than-a-pigtail/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [I'm 23 years old and still wearing pigtails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-kearney/i-m-23-years-old-and-still-wearing-pigtails/) [Hannah Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-kearney/) > [A book on cheap paper does not convince. It is not prized, it is like a wheezy doctor with pigtail tobacco breath, who needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/a-book-on-cheap-paper-does-not-convince-it-is-not-prized-it-is-like-a/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [They put my hair in pigtails -\_-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley/they-put-my-hair-in-pigtails/) [Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley/) > [“Snow is...a beautiful reminder of life and all its quirks. It makes me pause. Think. Stay still. Even my mind takes the hint. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-b-o-brien/snow-is-a-beautiful-reminder-of-life-and-all-its-quirks-it-makes-me/) [R.B. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-b-o-brien/) > [“Rhubarb, I would have proposed when you were in pigtails and bobby sox.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-tenorio/rhubarb-i-would-have-proposed-when-you-were-in-pigtails-and-bobby-sox/) [Dee Tenorio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-tenorio/) > [“Sorry, pigtails, but subtlety isn't an option anymore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-miles/sorry-pigtails-but-subtlety-isn-t-an-option-anymore/) [T. A. Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-a-miles/) ## More by Ilona Andrews > [“Did he kill Grandmother?” I whispered. “Don’t be ridiculous,” Erra’s voice said in my ear. “She is already dead. Besides, your grandmother was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/did-he-kill-grandmother-i-whispered-don-t-be-ridiculous-erra-s-voice/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [The only way to make sure that the Hand didn't get to you would have been to kill your brother. I could've done it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-only-way-to-make-sure-that-the-hand-didn-t-get-to-you-would-have/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“He hit her with his best smile. Her eyes widened. She took a deep breath. 'Oh no, not that seductive face. I'm overcome with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-hit-her-with-his-best-smile-her-eyes-widened-she-took-a-deep/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“Because he doesn’t want me talking to my grandmother.” Barabas looked at Curran. Curran shrugged. “It’s a family thing. Sometimes your father puts your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/because-he-doesn-t-want-me-talking-to-my-grandmother-barabas-looked/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [I had forgotten that talking to you is like trying to pet a cactus." Saiman said dryly. "Thank you for reminding me." "Always happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-had-forgotten-that-talking-to-you-is-like-trying-to-pet-a-cactus/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [« He squeezed his hands into fists. I picked up a grapefruit-sized rock and handed it to him. It went flying. Home run, Beast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-squeezed-his-hands-into-fists-i-picked-up-a-grapefruit-sized-rock/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“He came for me. I couldn’t believe it. He came for me . Into a flying palace full of thousands of armed rakshasas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-came-for-me-i-couldn-t-believe-it-he-came-for-me-into-a-flying/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Saiman picked up a coffee mug, stared at it, and hurled it against the wall. It shattered into a dozen pieces. We looked at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/saiman-picked-up-a-coffee-mug-stared-at-it-and-hurled-it-against-the/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“Slowly the reality of the situation sank in. He got his ass kicked, learned nothing, and got saved by a dumb dog and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/slowly-the-reality-of-the-situation-sank-in-he-got-his-ass-kicked/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“I paused with the pen in my hand. "He burst into flames?" "He became engulfed in fire." "Was his buddy made out of orange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-paused-with-the-pen-in-my-hand-he-burst-into-flames-he-became/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“He hung his head. “Am I punished?” “Yes. I’m too mad to punish you right now. We’ll talk about it when we get home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-hung-his-head-am-i-punished-yes-i-m-too-mad-to-punish-you-right/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [The pervert." "He prefers to think of himself as sexual deviant." "Semantics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-pervert-he-prefers-to-think-of-himself-as-sexual-deviant-semantics/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“I want you to understand me. This isn’t vengeance. This is punishment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-want-you-to-understand-me-this-isn-t-vengeance-this-is-punishment/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [He snarled. I showed him my teeth. A rolled-up newspaper landed on my head and then on Jim’s. “None of that in my house!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-snarled-i-showed-him-my-teeth-a-rolled-up-newspaper-landed-on-my/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [The door swung open and Kate walked in. Her jeans and T-shirt were splattered with blood and she was carrying a severed vampire head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-door-swung-open-and-kate-walked-in-her-jeans-and-t-shirt-were/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) [Explore all 1,105 Ilona Andrews quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scratches looked suspiciously like letters. I climbed on a chair and looked at it from above. MINE. Oh, that's great. Fantastic. So mature. Perhaps he would pull my pigtails next or stick a tack on my seat.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ilona Andrews" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and-long-jagged-scratches-covered/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and-long-jagged-scratches-covered/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/ilona-andrews-150_action_my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and_273053.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scratches…” — Ilona Andrews", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ilona Andrews", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My tablecloth was missing in action...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and-long-jagged-scratches-covered/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/my-tablecloth-was-missing-in-action-and-long-jagged-scratches-covered/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```