Chapter 4

Christmas came too soon for the gang. Parties, food, and music filled the chilled, snowy air. Lisa was back for Christmas holidays; this was going to be a great Christmas. Schaeffer held a big supper on Christmas Eve at the Blue Spruce; the whole community basically crammed into the cafe. Instead of doing his normal act, Bert sang Christmas tunes. Part way through the gang joined him on stage; the whole building shook with the carols of the season. After about an hour, it was time to dip into the eggnog.

"Thiisss is greaattt!" shouted Bert after having one too many. "Eveery onnee iss heereee..." as he started to tip over.

"Bert I think you had a little too much," noted Lisa. She decided to go get Schaeffer to help him to their table, but realized he wouldn't be much help.

"LLLissaa," said a happily dazed Schaeffer, who was talking with Zoey and laughing at any joke that she told. "Whaatt, whhhatt abboutt Bert?"

Lisa just went and got her father George to help, who was starting to get a little cheery as well. The new mayor was chatting with some of the locals about an upcoming ski lodge project, but at least was still making some sense. Basically half of the patrons at the Blue Spruce had reached their climax, and Christmas was just great for them. Unfortunately the other half weren't thinking that way. Melissa found a passed out Ralph by the staircase; even Bentley got his hands on his father's glass, and felt a little dizzy dancing with Annie. And maybe, just maybe, Schaeffer would get enough courage to ask out Zoey.

Christmas came and went in a blur. Christmas supper for the raccoons was at George and Nicole's. Bert got Lisa a special sweater with a capital L on the front. Bentley got a new computer. Melissa gave Ralph a new swivel chair for The Standard office.

"Just wait honey, your present is coming later," smiled Ralph as he winked at her.

"You little dirty raccoon you!" said Melissa cheerfully.

While George and Nicole cleaned up the kitchen, Lisa and Bert couldn't get upstairs fast enough to make a little Christmas cheer of their own. But it wasn't rushed. Bert is always such a gentleman. He would listen to one of Lisa's dilemmas, and try to solve them quickly so he could start cuddling.

"Your fur is sooo soft," cooed Bert as he stroked his hand through her cheek fur.

"Your hands are so strong," whispered Lisa as she grabbed his hands and placed them along her hips.

After some groping, you probably would know just as boom goes the dynamite...

"Bert! Come and check out this new game on my new computer!" screamed Bentley from the other side of Lisa's door.

"Oh man, we really need to find our own place one of these days," Bert said to Lisa.

"Go away, Bentley! Come back in ten minutes," roared Lisa.

"I'll be there soon, okay lil' buddy?" replied Bert to the door.

After about five minutes, and Bentley's excessive nagging, both Bert and Lisa sighed. They got up off the bed and straightened themselves out; and came downstairs to spend the rest of the evening with the family.

Just before New Year's, Bert went around and asked his friends for their opinions on what he should do about his music career. Everyone would back Bert no matter which road he chose, but some didn't really agree with what he wanted to do.

"Remember the last time you wanted to be a superstar?" noted Ralph. "It got you into an 'Un' successful cologne commercial. Endless hype. Do you want to be disappointed again?"

"Now Ralph," chimed in Melissa. "That was for Cyril Sneer. You know he was just in it to make a quick buck. This is actually a real record producer."

"All we're saying Bert is not to get your hopes up. We want you to stay positive; that is one of your great qualities," said Ralph. "Just enjoy what you do and take in every moment."

Melissa smiled at Ralph for the kind words.

"Thanks you guys. I really needed you to be honest with me; your opinion really matters to me," smiled Bert. "I know I can get a little ahead of myself at times."

"A little?" questioned Melissa.

"Okay, I always get ahead of myself. I just need to keep an even keel, and you guys do a great job of that." Melissa smiled and gave Bert a hug. After a moment, Bert continued. "I am just going to work hard and see where this road takes me."

"We'll be rooting for you!" said Ralph and Melissa in harmony.

Now, it was onto his true love, Lisa. Lisa didn't seem to have a problem with Bert pursuing his music; she was away at school most of the time anyways.

"Could I come on the road with you this summer?" asked Lisa.

"You don't even need to ask," chuckled Bert over the phone. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

After clearing some hurdles, Bert now knew it was down to business. He really wanted this opportunity to work. This was HIS opportunity; not his friend's dreams.

The pigs thought they could get away with it. The print was ordered. It came to the mansion on time. They just needed to close the deal. Every day, the boys would usually pick up the mail at the front door. But for the one day that they needed to pull through, the pigs couldn't deliver.

"Package for Floyd Pig," said the stork mailman to Cyril at the front door.

"A package for the pigs?" questioned Cyril. "It must be Armageddon."

Cyril signed for the package. 'Who would order a rectangular looking box that says fragile?' he asked himself. Then he knew the pigs were up to something. He found the pigs in the kitchen making lunch.

"Here's a package that came for you, boys," said Cyril. "I wonder what it could be..."

The boys stopped and were silent for a moment, trying to come up with a good excuse that their boss would believe.

"Oh, our new mirror is here," said Boyd.

"Yeah, our old mirror has a smudge on it," noted Lloyd.

"Uh huh. A little thick do be a mirror, don't you think?" prodded Cyril. "Why don't you open it?"

The pigs knew they couldn't stall any longer. The jig was up.

"He broke it," as Lloyd panicked and pointed to Floyd.

"Broke what?" asked Cyril. "The mirror?"

"Nope. We were cleaning up this past fall and broke one of your Henri de la Possum prints," said a shaking Floyd.

"WHAT? That piece cost me a small mortgage!" roared Cyril.

"Relax, sir. Remember your blood pressure..." said the boys together, hoping that reason would work.

"Relax? I'll show you relaxed!" Cyril went and booted each pig out of the kitchen. He then took the print out of its package, and hung it on an empty spot in the hall where the original print was before. He always thought something was missing there; he now knew what it was.