Chapter 7: Rat's Trap

It was a foggy night out at the port. So much that the three mice were greatly covered; no one could see them. As Brecklyn hurried in front she called out to the other two. "Will you two hurry up I'm liking this idea less and less". "Don't worry we're right behind you". A tall mouse said walking out of the shadows said. Hmm, I have to say Mrs. Judson did well for not knowing what a low-life scoundrel would wear. Brecklyn thought looking over Basil's outfit. Basil's outfit included a nice attire of a captain of a ship; though one who still drank at the usual pub of the broke. Lighting a cigarette Basil called for Dawson to come forward. Dawson's outfit wasn't so flattering to sailors of that time. He wore an eye patch with striped shirt (not quite big enough if you ask me) and pants and boots. You know your everyday 19th century pirate.

As they entered the bar they were greeted with the smell of cigarette butts just burning out and men who could really use a bath. Please once will luck be on my side, don't let these two mess it up! Brecklyn said. Giving a silent prayer she led the way to a table. Looking behind her she saw Basil at least remembered to signal for service. Dawson came up behind giving the same hand signals except with a more extravagant wave of the hand. Were dead. "Brecklyn"! Brecklyn grew pale. Oh no! Brecklyn turned her head slowly to see a young brown female mouse looking as though she would collapse any second she was so drunk. "Kathy, what a surprise". Brecklyn said with a nervous chuckle. "You finally took my advice and… (hiccup)found a guy who could pay for the drink". Kathy said with a slight slur of the words. Leaning close she and eyeing Basil she added. "And he's a cute one at that, good for you"! "What, wait no he's not my"…She started protesting. "Oh you know you can't hide it from me." Kathy said laughing. She then walked off into the crowd of people.

Walking up to the table Basil gave her a questioning look. "Old friend". She mumbled. Leaving it at that he and Dawson sat down. "What's the pleasure mates"? A bar waitress asked walking up to the table. "Oh how 'bout a dry sherry with"…. Dawson started till Brecklyn slapped her hand on his mouth. "Three pints for me and me mates." Basil said adopting a gruff voice. Before the waitress could leave he continued. "Oh, by the way we just got into port. We're looking for an old friend of mine. Maybe you know him. Goes by the name of Ratigan?" You could have heard a pin drop after the gasps of everyone in the pub. "I…Never heard of him." The waitress said walking off. "What was that about?" Brecklyn whispered. She never got an answer for the next performance was on. Didn't last too long, apparently these people don't like a toad on a poor lizard riding a unicycle.

With all their weapons ready they waited for the next performance. As the music slowed the curtain lifted to show a small white female mouse. Everyone lowered their weapons as she started singing.

"Dearest friends, dear gentlemen

Listen to my song

Life down here's been hard for you

Life has made you strong

Let me lift the mood

With my attitude."

With that the music picked up and all eyes were on her. Well except Brecklyn's and as she peered at Basil his were looking at all the other faces in the pub, Dawson though was looking up at the stage as if he were struck by Cupid's arrow. She came back on stage with two more girls.

"Hey fellas

The time is right

Get ready

Tonight's the night

Boys, what you're hopin' for will come true

Let me be good to you"!

"You tough guys

You're feelin' all alone

You rough guys

The best of you sailors and bums

All are my chum"

Brecklyn couldn't help but keep glancing at Basil, she had nothing to worry about Basil seemed uninterested in the performance. Instead he was looking up to where the waitress was, as well as the bartender. Brecklyn looked over too, just in time to see the bartender slip something in three pints of beer.

Hearing roars of approval among the men she turned back to the show. She gave an appalled look; the dancer had ripped off her skirt showing her garter and a feathered boa. Guess she has no moral. Brecklyn thought.

"Hey fellas

I'll take off all my blues

Hey fellas

There's nothin' I won't do

Just for you!"

As the boys whistled and as one tried going on stage the waitress game back with their drinks. "Here you go mates… it's uh on the house for the lovely couple." She then walked off leaving Brecklyn and Basil with annoyed looks on their faces. Brecklyn was even tempted to blow there cover to show they weren't a couple. She then eyed her drink hoping Basil would give her a good reason to not try it. Luckily he gave her a perfect reason. "These drinks have been… drugged". He said the last word alarmed because Dawson has already finished his pint of beer. "Has a rather nice taste to it". Dawson offered drunk beyond reason. Basil gave out a look that said -"Great I'm stuck with a drunk"-.

Thump, thump. Brecklyn turned behind her to see what the noise was only to be turned back around by Basil. "Why if it isn't are peg legged friend". Basil whispered in her ear. Having been gave the warning she turned around more cautiously. Sitting over by the bartender was Fidget (probably drinking the regular). "Dawson oh what luck." Basil said. "Dawson? Dawson!" He cried/whispered. Out of the protected sights of Brecklyn and Basil, Dawson had stumbled on stage with the girl mice for the final act.

As the act ended two of the mice gave Dawson kisses on the cheek making him stumble over and land on the piano. The pianist (who was not very enthused to having a drunk on his piano) got ready to hit Dawson with a broken board. Sadly he missed hitting a giant mouse over two times his size. He wriggled free in time to not get punched by the giant mouse, though the effect was catastrophic. The piano ran into all the band members sending all of them flying through the air. Out of that commotion a bar fight broke out (seems like anything would have set that off huh?). "Quickly grab Dawson and let's get out of here." Breclkyn commanded. As Basil went off searching for Dawson, Brecklyn grabbed out her dagger ready to hurt anyone who dared mess with her.

After they got Dawson, Basil pointed to a trap door that Fidget probably escaped under. When they got to the bottom of where the trap door led they saw fidget humming the tune the mice had been singing upstairs. Following quietly behind they spotted him entering a pipe jutting out. "Come on let's go!" Brecklyn said getting out of there hiding spot. "Wait we don't even know where were going." Dawson called after her. "Oh I know where were heading." Breckyln said forgetting they didn't know the family ties. For once Basil gave her a suspicious look before reluctantly following.

At the end of the tunnel (/pipe) they came to an area with a giant keg made to look like a small mansion. "We've made and it's filthier than I imagined." Basil said opened a hatch for Brecklyn and Dawson to come up. "Hey Basil". Brecklyn called pointing to a bottle which looked to be holding Olivia.

At the bottle Brecklyn jumped to the cork trying her best to get it out, Basil under her was looking around for any lookouts. "Olivia?" Dawson whispered tapping the bottle. Turing around Fidget gave Dawson an air kiss. "Surprise! Welcome Basil!" Shouts of mice came (and one peculiar lizard) as they tumbled out of every possible hiding place. Brecklyn fell off the bottle onto Basil's back who was too stunned to push her off. "Marvelous, marvelous wouldn't you say old boy?" Said a giant rat that looked to be out of place in such a rough group of faces. This notorious face could only belong to the infamous Proffesor… Ratigan! Brecklyn thought.