To those living in the United States and Canada Happy Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for all of you for sticking with me through these past few years. Hope you enjoy this.
I do not own.
"Where are we going?" Caesar asked again.
Beverly sighed. "We're going to my dad's best friend's house for Thanksgiving this year."
"Don't you usually celebrate this holiday with family?" Caesar wondered.
"Yes, but dad hasn't seen him in years and since Uncle Ben and Aunt Ruth are not coming this year, he finally accepted Uncle George's invitation." Beverly explained.
"Uncle George is your father's friend?" Caesar clarified.
"Yes." Beverly affirmed.
"George Popadapolous?" Caesar continued.
"Yes."
"Dr. George Popadapolous, the genetic researcher studying transmutation in gene expression?" Caesar's voice became high.
"Um, yeah?" Beverly said nervously.
Caesar went silent. Beverly started to relax until he suddenly burst out, "Why didn't you tell me you knew the world's foremost scientist in genetic research?"
"Well, it's no big deal. I mean Uncle George is just an ordinary guy who likes golf and has a lot of stuffed animals… and I mean a lot of creepy stuffed animals in his house." She shuddered.
"The conversations you must have had! Did he tell you about how he was able to discover a common gene in mice and microbes in yogurt?" Caesar asked excitedly.
"Um no, that never came up since I was like 8 years old." Beverly refrained from rolling her eyes.
Caesar continued to extol the many achievements of Dr. Popadapolous while Beverly continued driving to the man's house.
"And all we brought were deviled eggs!" Caesar cried. "We should have gotten something more substantial."
"Dad said bring appetizers." Beverly reminded him.
"But there are appetizers and then there are appetizers." Caesar replied.
"I'm sure these are fine." Beverly said. "Besides we're here." She pulled into the driveway of a Victorian style house.
"It's just like I imagined it." Caesar said with awe.
"You imagine that Uncle George lived in a Victorian mansion?" Beverly looked at him amused. "His house always scared me. It looks like the house from the title credits of Sccoby-Doo."
"Who?" Caesar now was looking at her funny.
"Oh it was a cartoon I use to watch. Don't worry about it. But it had a haunted mansion that looks just like this house. I use to imagine ghosts popping out from behind the sofa." She looked at the house apprehensively.
"You're not still afraid? Logic dictates that there are no evidence of supernatural beings inhabiting…" Caesar lectured.
"Caesar, there are some things that not even science can explain." Beverly sighed. "Come on, they're waiting. Wait till you see the inside. Then you'll see what I mean."
They both walked to the door. Beverly rang the doorbell. A bell jingled like the ones in antique shops. Heavy footsteps told them someone was coming. The door creaked open.
"Beverly! It's been too long." An old man with graying whiskers and a bald head greeted her. He was wearing a plaid shirt, green suspenders, and khakis. He sported a cane.
"Hello, Uncle George. We brought deviled eggs." Beverly said politely.
Uncle George looped his arm around Beverly's and pulled her in. "My favorite! Come in, come in." Using his cane, he shut the door in Caesar's face.
"Excuse me, sir? Hello? Sir? Beverly?" Caesar called, ringing the doorbell. When it was clear that no one heard him, he looked for another way in. Stepping off the porch, he looked above to see a balcony above the porch. Stepping on the railing he pulled himself up to the second floor. He tried the glass doors but they were locked. He put his hand against the window pane to study the door. The glass pane flipped and Caesar lost his balance. He fell in head over heels. When he looked up, a tiger with its teeth baring was glaring at him. Caesar jumped back against the wall. The tiger didn't move. Caesar gingerly stuck out his leg and tapped the animal. It teetered but didn't move. Caesar gave a stronger kick. The tiger fell over.
"Huh, it's been mounted." He got up and scanned the room he was in. It was full of animals in different poses. "Fascinating." Caesar walked to the door. He pulled it open. To his surprise dozens of parchment, files, and books fell on top of him. He popped up with a book in his hand. "Ooo, The Art of Gene Spicing, first edition." He tucked the book inside his vest. Opening another door, he found a hallway. "I wonder if he keeps any experiments here." He wandered down the hall.
Meanwhile, Beverly discovered her boyfriend was not with her. She quickly excused herself and went to the front door. He was not there. She noticed dirt on the immaculate railing. She ran out to the front of the house and noticed more dirt on the balcony.
"Oh Caesar, I hope you're not getting into any trouble." She ran back inside and up the stairs.
Caesar was looking into a microscope. "Fascinating. The mitochondria has been isolated." He was so absorbed that he didn't notice Beverly come in.
"What are you doing?" She hissed at him.
Caesar didn't even flinch. "Quick, come look! He was able to combine two different cellular structures into one comprehensive unicellular organism." He motioned for her to come.
"No, Caesar! We have to get back downstairs. We're eating soon. And we're not supposed to be here." She snapped. She grabbed his arm to pull him to the door. In her haste, she pulled him too quickly. He knocked over the red dye for staining cells. They stared in horror as the red stain soaked into the Oriental rug.
"Hmm, I think the badger should go right there." Caesar lifted the stuffed animal and placed it over the spot. "See, it looks like it belongs."
"Whatever, let's get out of here before we're caught." Beverly pulled him but more carefully this time.
When they got downstairs, no one noticed their absence. Beverly introduced Uncle George to Caesar who went into his fangirling mode. Beverly watched bemused as Caesar bombarded him with questions. Uncle George answered everything amicably. Clearly, he enjoyed talking about his work. Once again her parents were impressed by Caesar.
After dinner, they retired to the parlor where Uncle George offered to show Caesar some of his papers. Beverly could have sworn that Caesar almost squealed in delight. The evening passed quickly. Beverly didn't even notice the creepy animals that surrounded them. Caesar had a way of setting her at ease. She even forgot her past fears of monsters jumping out of dark corners. Everything became brighter and happier. Finally, it was time to go. Beverly actually found herself feeling disappointed.
"Thank you so much for inviting us, Uncle George." She gave his a hug.
"Your welcome, my dear. And you, my boy, take care of her." He said to Caesar.
"Of course, sir. And may I say it was an honor to meet you." Caesar fawned.
"The honor was mine. I have been keeping an eye on your own career. It's been fascinating." He smiled shaking his hand. "Please, come again.
"I will." Caesar said turning to leave. Then as an afterthought he added, "Sorry about your rug."
"What?" Uncle George asked startled.
"Nothing, we've got to go. Bye!" Beverly quickly ushered Caesar to the car. Caesar still had a lot to learn.