Disclaimer: I don't own Inspector Gadget.
To the best uncle in the entire world
Wishing you the very happiest of birthdays!
From your niece who loves you so much,
Penny
xxx
Gadget smiled warmly. He felt very touched by the message written inside the birthday card he had just read. Opening his arms wide, he embraced the young girl who had sent it to him.
"Thank you, Penny," he said gratefully. "I love you so much too!"
Penny beamed, hugging her beloved uncle adoringly. "Happy birthday, Uncle Gadget!"
At that moment, there was a knock at the front door.
Releasing Penny from his arms, Gadget made his way over to the door and pulled it open.
There was no one to be found outside, but a single item sat on the doorstep.
"Wowsers!" Gadget exclaimed. "This has to be for me! After all, it is my birthday!"
In front of him sat a box covered in green wrapping paper and tied up with red ribbon. Gadget was just about to untie it to find out what was inside – when all of a sudden, the lid popped off and out of the box emerged…
"Chief Quimby!" Gadget exclaimed. "What are doing with my present?"
Quimby dove his hand into his pocket, pulling out an envelope which he held out towards his employee. "Just came by to deliver your birthday card, Gadget!"
"Really? You really didn't have to do that, Chief!"
Gadget took the envelope from Quimby, ripping it off to take out the card held inside. He held it before him as he opened it up, reading the message that the chief had written inside:
Dear Inspector Gadget
Just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday from your ever-thankful boss. After all the work you have done for the force in foiling the evil schemes of Dr. Claw, you highly deserve it.
Sincerely,
Chief Quimby
*This message will self-destruct.
"Gee thanks, Chief!" Gadget grinned as he handed the card back to Quimby. "It's much appreciated!"
Neglecting to notice the horrified look on his employer's face, Gadget shut the lid of the box on him and closed the front door – just before the birthday card he'd read and returned blew up in the chief's face.
As Gadget returned to the lounge, he found Brain trying to get his attention. The dog was holding out towards him another envelope which had his name written on it.
"You've got another card, Uncle Gadget," said Penny.
"Wowsers! It's so nice to think so many people wanna take the time to wish me well on my birthday!"
Accepting the envelope from Brain, Gadget took out the birthday card inside, opening it up to see who it was from.
His smile disappeared instantly.
"What's wrong, Uncle Gadget?" Penny asked.
"This card isn't signed!" Gadget exclaimed, reading over the message written inside with wide confused eyes. "It doesn't even say happy birthday!"
Baffled, Gadget skimmed over the few words that had been written inside the card with no name on the end several times - before shrugging with a shake of his head as his smile returned.
"Never mind! They must have been too busy to sign it. Whoever this card was from, at least they were kind enough to acknowledge my special day."
Gadget cheerily placed the cards in a row above the fireplace, then turning to cheerfully face towards his niece and dog. "Come, Penny, Brain! Whadda say we make chocolate syrup-covered pancakes for my birthday breakfast?"
The clueless inspector led Penny and Brain out of the lounge and into the kitchen. He thought no more about the birthday card which had been sent to him without a signature...
...even though the five words which had been written inside it should have made it clearly obvious who it was from:
NEXT TIME, GADGET!
NEEEXXXT TIIIMMMEEE!
The end.