At the armor exhibit (the one Jake had been talking about) four kats in their early twenties hurried to get their demonstration set up. The youngest kat and only female, was setting up a presentation board "Hey, Kev' where are those pictures you took during the TTD run?" she asked.

A large black tom turned to her and said "The Test to Destruction pics 'Leen?" "Yeah"

"Here they are, but ya' know we really shouldn't call them TTD pics 'cause we didn't manage to destroy the stuff" Kev added.

The small she-kat looked up at him and asked "Is it my fault the armor would survive a close proximity nuclear detonation?"

Another tom, this time stocky and yellow answered Leen's question "Yes. You're the one that created it"

Leen replied "yeah. I guess it is my fault, I could make it less durable if you guys want."

All three of the boys replied in unison "NO!"

The yellow tom, Alois expanded "Duralloy is our ticket to getting that unlimited grant for R&D"

Leen looked at him with one eyebrow raised "Duhh! I was just kidding guys."

Josh, a short Siamese with light blue eyes, looked at Leen with the same expression on his face and replied "Duhh! yourself, you know we just enjoy heckling ya."

Leen smiled "I know, that's why I ..." Leen broke off.

A very tall and thin brown tom vaulted over the side of the booth puff whew! "The mayor is on his way! Doing an inspection before they open the gates."

Alois turned and replied "Thanks man. Hey Leen! you done with that display yet?"

"Yeah, just finished. So..." she looked at the new arrival "Did'ja bring anything to eat, Matt?"

The brown tom frowned and said "No, I had just gotten to my car when the mayor showed up ya know, Calllieee! Where have you been?"

The other cats laughed.

Alois added "yeah, that's just about right, Manx wouldn't get anything done without Briggs."

Josh got a dreamy look on his face and said "Man! I wouldn't mind having her work for me... Owww! what was that for Leen?"

"You know! and it wasn't meant to feel good."

Josh looked sheepish and apologized "sorry."

At that very moment Mayor Manx and Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs were walking up to the young kats' booth "Callie, what is this one?"

"The list says this is the Slammers booth."

The Mayor looked skeptically at Callie, "The Slammers?"

Callie sighed "Yes, Mayor Manx the new group of interns working at Puma-Dyne."

"Oh, well then we had better go and say hello."

As the Mayor and Miss. Briggs walked up the five kats in the booth fell silent

"Hello boys" said the Mayor.

Leen rolled her eyes, her short hair had confused many people before, but the Mayor might have known better. Leen's train of thought was interrupted as Miss. Briggs asked what the latest project was, Leen was about to launch into a rather complicated explanation.

Alois spoke first "We're working on an new super armor called..."

Alois was interrupted as the Mayor said "Ah, yes very nice well, Callie we had better get going, have to get to the grandstand you know"

Alois nodded, as if accepting an apology as the Mayor and Miss. Briggs walked off.

Matt said quietly "Well, that was pointless, I could have gotten us some breakfast instead."