Courage was awakened the next morning by Muriel as she gently pushed him off of her lap and got up from her chair. Eustace was still asleep in his chair so Muriel and Courage quietly went into the kitchen. Courge noticed the dark circles under Muriel's eyes as she searched through the refrigerator then busied herself at the stove cooking breakfast. The pink dog also noticed that Muriel was acting nervous and her hands were still shaking even though it was now daylight. He whined softly looking up at Muriel with concern. Muriel seemed to understand what he was thinking. "Don't worry Courage, I'm just feeling a little tired this morning." She gave the little dog a reassuring smile before turning her attention back to the stove.

Breakfast was almost ready when Eustace came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Courage noticed that Eustace also seemed a little uneasy and had dark circles under his eyes. Another thing Courage noticed was that Eustace didn't seem as grumpy as usual. He didn't even say anything when Muriel put a plate on the table for Courage. Usually, Eustace said something about Courage eating at the table and sometimes made him eat on the floor. But Eustace seemed unusually quiet and distracted this morning.

Muriel seemed to notice this too. "Something wrong this morning Eustace?" she asked as she sat his plate down in front of him.

Eustace looked up at her. "I don't know Muriel. I had some really strange dreams last night. Not sure if it was because of the tv and sleeping in the livng room or what but ... " Eustace's voice trailed off as he stared at his plate.

Muriel sat down with her plate, taking a bite of her food. "Eat your breakfast Eustace", she said gently, "You'll feel better after a good breakfast."

Eustace quietly took a bite of his food chewing for a long time before swallowing. "I'll take a look at the television after I read me paper. Got to be an explanation for what happened last night."

Courage looked over at Eustace. Something strange was definately going on when Eustace started acting worried. Courage looked up and saw that Muriel was looking over at him so he forced himself to finish eating his breakfast so she wouldn't worry about him. Muriel and Eustace both seemed worried enough already.

After breakfast Courage helped Muriel clean up then wandered into the living room where Eustace was reading the paper. Courage was getting ready to curl up on the rug when Eustace put down the paper and got up motioning for Courage to follow him outside. Courage followed Eustace outside walking into the barn behind him.

Eustace stared down at the ground for a moment then looked over at Courage. "I didn't want to tell Muriel this but I keep having these dreams ... bad dreams, dog."

Courage looked up at Eustace and whimpered softly with concern. Eustace must be really shaken up to be talking to him like this.

Eustace looked away and continued, "Dreams that something really bad is watching us. Dreams that something is even in the room with us while we sleep. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with whatever it is that is making Muriel so nervous but these dreams ..." Eustace stopped and looked away. Courage could see the fear in the old man's eyes. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Eustace looked back down at Courage. "I had a dream that something bad happened to Muriel." He said softly. "I know I don't always act like it but I do care about Muriel. It's just sometimes things get in the way and I ... you know." Eustace sighed and stared down at the ground. Courage actually found himself feeling sorry for Eustace and very afraid for Muriel. The pink dog walked over, climbed up on a bail of hay next to
Eustace, then leaned over and gave him a hug. He couldn't believe it when Eustace actually hugged him back.

The two headed back into the house and found Muriel sitting in her rocking chair in the living room. "I was wondering where the two of you where." Muriel's voice sounded very tired and wasn't as cheerful as normal. Courage whimpered soflty jumping up into her lap.

"We just went out to the garage to look for my tools." Eustace said. "I forgot I left them in the cellar when I was working on the pipes last week." Eustace left the room then returned a few moments later with his toolkit in hand. Courage jumped off of Muriel's lap to join Eustace in front of the television set.

"Hey dog, unplug the tv for me will ya?" Courage nodded reaching back to pull the plug out of the wall. He stopped short as he found that the tv was already unplugged. Courage gulped turning to tug on Eustace's sleeve pointing anxiously to the plug. Eustace stared at Courage then at the plug then back at the frightened expression on the dog's face. "Did you unplug it already?" Courage shook his head. Eustace motioned to Courage to be quiet so as not to make Muriel anymore upset and nervous than she already was. Courage gulped and settled
down. Muriel wasn't able to see Courage because Eustace and the tv were blocking her view so she didn't see what had just happened. Eustace pulled off the front panel and looked at the on/off switch then replaced the panel. "Move dog!" He glared over at Courage who was still in back of the tv. Courage quickly moved out of the way as Eustace began to pull the back cover off of the tv set. Courage whimpered nervously. "Don't worry stupid dog, I've done this sort of thing before." Even though he called Courage 'stupid dog', Eustace's voice lacked the venom it normally had when he spoke to Courage. Even Muriel seemed to notice this but said nothing.

Eustace poked around inside the tv set for a few minutes then reached out his hand toward Courage. "Hand me my big screwdriver dog!" Courage quickly handed Eustace the screwdriver. "Now stand back!" Courage quickly backed up wondering what Eustace was up to. A second later a shower of sparks came from inside the television.

Muriel gasped, "Eustace!"

The old man backed away from the tv set. "It's ok Muriel. I was just testing something."

"What were ye testing, how easily you could get shocked?" Muriel's voice was frantic.

Eustace moved from behind the tv set to look over at her. "Take it easy woman! I was just testing to see if there was any power back here."

Muriel got up from the rocking chair. "I'm going to go make some tea."

Eustace thought about it for a moment then asked, "Why don't you make us some of your Happy Plums for desert tonight? I think we could all use some."

Muriel smiled cheerfully. "Yes, Happy Plums would be a wonderful idea! But I need to go into town to get a few things to make them."

Eustace finished putting the back cover on the tv set and stood up. "That might be just the ticket. A trip to town might help to settle our nerves."

Muriel stared at Eustace. "Eustace, are ye feelin' well? I know things have been a little strange around here lately but you don't seem to be yourself."

Eustace picked up his toolbox and headed toward the front door. "I'm ok Muriel. Just didn't get much sleep last night with those dreams and all. Just feel a little tired today."