Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce chapter seventeen of my story Power Grid Failure. A few weeks ago, I went to the vets for my yearly exam. I was, not to my surprise, given an outstanding bill of health. However, I was also told I was due for my yearly dental cleaning which my novelist booked for yesterday. I, like many of my fellow Canus lupus familiaris, detest dental cleanings. And so, I dreaded my upcoming appointment.

That was until the vet’s office called my novelist on Tuesday to tell her that the ultrasonic dental machine was not working properly, and my cleaning would have to be postponed. Now, it could be the machine was having some sort of mechanical issue, or possibly needs a new part, or maybe they will need to get a new machine all together. Or maybe I could have enlisted the Maltese and the Jack Russel terrier and his female Labrador roommate down the street to steal the keys to my novelist’s car Monday night, take a joy ride to the vet’s, break in, head into the back, sabotage the machine, pick up four Frappuccinos at a 24-hour Starbucks and drive home. This of course is only a theory. And with that thought here is chapter seventeen of my story Power Grid Failure. Uživati!

Power Grid Failure

by

Gigi the parti poodle

Chapter Seventeen

Reynolds and Crystal re-enter Tiffany’s glassed in office area. Remmel marches in behind them, retrieves a pack of gum from his shirt pocket, unwraps a stick and jams it into his mouth. He chews intensely as he guards the captives. Craggy holds out his hand. Remmel narrows his eyes, retrieves the pack of gum, and offers him a piece. Craggy takes a stick, unwraps it and shoves it in his mouth.

Windy sits quietly in the corner with her knees together, her back straight, and her eyes forwards. She has never missed her children’s’ performances. Ever. Tonight, was the first time. Yes, her husband likely filmed it, but it’s not the same as watching it live.

Martin is becoming increasingly agitated. He doesn’t like trusting Reynolds. But what choice does he have? He doesn’t have a better plan, Sloan doesn’t have a better plan, and he’s unconvinced Adams has the wherewithal to reopen the building once he’s inside Unicorn’s lair. Assuming he gets inside Unicorn’s lair. Reynolds hasn’t explained that part yet. How will Adams get into Unicorn’s lair?

Sloan stares at Mr. Peak’s door. Dragontail better not be in there making out with Tiffany. He imagines different ways to torture Dragontail.

Adams envisions himself at home lying in bed wearing his fluffy green socks with his light blocking curtains completely shut and his nightlight on. He mentally counts video game characters as they jump over a virtual fence.

“Be ready,” Reynolds whispers to Crystal. “Follow my lead.” Reynolds rises and moves towards Mr. Peak’s office. Craggy steps in front of him and folds his arms.

“Where do you think you’re going, Reynolds?” Remmel growls.

“To talk to Dragontail.”

“He’ll be out here soon enough.”

“When’s soon enough?”

“Soon enough.”

The door opens and Dragontail emerges. Reynolds catches a glimpse of Tiffany sitting in Peak’s chair. She seems safe enough…for now.

“Alright,” Dragontail says. “We’re leaving you in the care of Remmel and Craggy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Martin demands.

“It means I’m taking Tiffany here for a little ride.”

“No. You are not splitting us up. If you want to kidnap us as a group, fine. But you’re not splitting us up.”

“Look, Peak. You may be used to giving the orders around here. But right now, I’m the one giving the orders around here. I’m running the show. I decide what happens. And what’s happening is Tiffany and I are going for a ride.”

“Can I come?”

Dragontail turns and looks at Crystal. “What?”

“Can I come along with you and Tiffany?” she says.

Dragontail looks her up and down. “No.”

“You’d have two women to take with you instead of one.”

“She’s right,” Windy says from the corner.  

“I only need Tiffany,” Dragontail says.

“She’s offering to go. Let her go.”

“Don’t be a jerk, Dragontail,” Reynolds says. “Let Crystal go with you.”

Dragontail turns back to Crystal. “Fine,” he growls. “I’ll take you along for the ride. But guess what, toots? This isn’t going to be a chance for you to escape.”

“Did I say I was trying to escape?” Crystal says. “I’m going stir crazy in here. I just want to get out of this office for a while and I don’t see why Tiffany should have all the fun.”

“You’re a weird chick. As for the rest of you clowns, I’m leaving Craggy and Remmel with a pair of my No Fun Stun Guns. So, don’t screw up.”

“Will I need to take my coat?”

“That’s up to you.”

“How far are we going exactly?”

“Why?”

“Is it a fifteen-minute drive, a half an hour drive…?”

“What’s with all the questions?”

“I want to know what I’m getting into so I can properly prepare. If it’s a fifteen-minute drive…”

“Stop asking questions or you’re not going.”

“You don’t need to be rude about it.”

“I wouldn’t be rude if…look, we’re leaving.” Dragontail turns and opens Mr. Peak’s office door. “Get up, Tiffany. We’re going for a ride. Apparently, Crystal’s coming with us.”

Tiffany gives him a sidelong glance and rises from her chair. She exits the office and gives Crystal a quizzical look. The two women follow Dragontail out the door of the glassed-in area.

“What’s your plan for getting Adams into Unicorn’s office?” Martin whispers to Reynolds.

“We need to get him across the skybridge,” Reynolds says.

“You mean the one that connects to our building?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know that’s where Unicorn is?”

“Adams told me.”

“When?”

“Just now.”

“How are we going to get past these two gorillas?” Martin says nodding at Craggy and Remmel.

“I’m trying to figure that out.”

“You’d better figure it out soon because Dragontail already left with Tiffany and Crystal.”

MY BOOKS

You can check out my books Chicane and all five installments of the Musicology book series Musicology: Volume One, Baby!, Musicology: Volume Two, Kid!, Musicology: Volume Three, Twist!, Musicology: Volume Four, Sweetie! and Musicology: The Epiquad on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback editions. You can also check out Musicology’s web site at www.musicologyrocks.com and vote for who you think will win Musicology!

STREAM OF THE WEEK: THE SEA BEAST (2022)-NETFLIX

This week’s pick is nominated for an Oscar for Animated Feature Film. It is Netflix own The Sea Beast. This is a beautiful looking swashbuckling story about a little orphaned girl named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) who escapes her orphanage in pursuit of becoming a sailor like her late parents who hunted for dangerous gargantuan sea beasts.

Much to Maisie’s luck she escapes her orphanage in time to see the famed ship The Inevitable dock after returning from a hunting journey. She meets the famed Jacob Holland (Karl Urban), the adopted son of the ship’s Captain Crow (Jared Harris) in a pub and tries to convince him to let her join the crew. After Jacob refuses, Maisie takes it upon herself to stow away on the vessel.

Too late to turn back they keep Maisie on board and sail out to fight sea beasts, especially Red, one of the biggest sea beasts of them all. But after engaging in a battle with Red where she lets them go, Maisie and Jacob begin to have second thoughts about the intentions of the creatures they are hunting. And they voyage out together a journey to find out where the battle between the humans and sea beasts may have begun.