Bronski and Phil were about to leave when BlueNight's 1987 Chrysler minivan pulled up. It was a nifty custom job, with double sliding doors, Ford Ranger truck engine, manual transmission, and mostly painted with that color-changing paint that had been so cool only five years before. The rear was painted blue, and the transition was the same transition as BlueNight's tail, splotchily going from color-changing to blue. For a car that old, it was filled with the newest systems and negative-emission pollution control, and BlueNight kept it in top condition.

The passenger's door opened, and Oren got out. "Thanks, Blue!" he called, then closed the passenger door and opened the side sliding door. The van was turned off and BlueNight got out as well.

Oren turned toward his burrow and saw the ostrich and rabbit standing there. "Hi guys. Miss me?" he said, then remarked, "I suppose I called someone, but I was just so excited I forgot."

Phil asked, "About?"

Oren went into the burrow, and his voice was slightly muffled. "About the five-novel deal I just got from TLQ Publishing!"

Phil called into the burrow, "That's great, Oren! But why did BlueNight drop you off?"

"Oh, the guy from TLQ came by and picked me up, but he had a meeting, so I called BlueNight from the guy's house. That is one sweet minivan, I'll tell you that. Actually, that's not the bad news. I took the laptop so I could show the editor guy a few pieces I'm working on, and I got email right before he had to leave. The lake was just bought, and Blue is going to let me stay at his place until the whole thing is figured out."

BlueNight continued. "So I'm here to help him get his stuff."

Bronski said, "Were you taken against your will?"

Oren replied, "No, of course not. The editor guy brought along a snack. I've got to remember how good fish are with peanut butter."

Phil seemed to turn a bit green.

Oren came out, carrying a keyboard and several other small pieces of equipment. BlueNight went in, and came back out carrying Rover itself. When they had placed those in the van, they went back for more stuff. BlueNight carried the monitor, while Oren had a bunch of random-looking stuff. Phil decided to help with whatever he could, and so did the detective. Between the four of them, Oren's burrow was cleaned out in a matter of minutes.

"Thanks a lot. Seeya at the bar tonight, Phil, Ken," said Oren. BlueNight waved. They got in and drove away.

Phil turned to the ostrich. "I don't know why, but I have a funny feeling in the tips of my ears..."

Website Copyright 2004,2005 Michael Bard.  Please send any comments or questions to him at mwbard@transform.com