MadnessJones: Here's the new chapter of Train To Freedom! Things are starting to move forward for Wendy Jinxsprinkles, and we're glad you guys have stuck around to read all about it. Thanks for tuning in, and please review :)

Chapter 7

Money Is Freedom

Wendy felt absolutely overwhelmed by Cashbot HQ, and she wasn't even completely inside yet. Everything was so huge! The stairs were huge, the trains were huge, the skylight was huge, and the doors on the other side of the station (which might as well have been the other side of town) were huge. Wendy knew Cogs were taller than Toons, but even they couldn't possibly need this much space! This place could probably fit thousands of Cogs!

Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, Wendy walked down the steps to the path leading to the railroad tracks. There didn't seem to be that many Cogs, and fortunately none noticed her, but her little heart was racing as she hid behind a pallet of large wooden boxes. The boxes were all stamped with the words 'Cog Nation'. An entire nation of Cogs sounded scary, yet on some level intriguing. Wendy wondered if such a place would be anything like Toontown. Probably not. Cogs didn't necessarily like Toontown, since they were constantly trying to change it.

As Wendy scurried from one pallet to another to hide, she noticed this stack wasn't more boxes, but rather bundles of thin green paper. Wendy had seen this paper before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on where. She plucked one from a stack and examined it. There was a picture of a very important looking Cog on the front, and the top of the money had the words 'In Greed We Trust' stamped in prominent letters. Weird.

Wendy didn't exactly know where to go. She knew she was supposed to go to Cashbot HQ, and she was supposed to meet someone here, but the details were practically nonexistent. She looked down at the business card again; hoping to get some answers.

Adam Calculus

Bean Counter

"For all you money exchanging needs"

Cashbot HQ

Well, that didn't answer anything. All Wendy knew was a name and Cog type, but she didn't even know what a Bean Counter looked like since she had so little experience with Cogs. At least she had a name: Adam Calculus. She would have to hope that was enough.

Tucking the business card back in her pocket, Wendy set off cautiously to find the mysterious Bean Counter. As she approached the train tracks however, a light suddenly burst forth from the tunnel and a racing mechanical behemoth careened right toward her! Wendy screamed and ran for the safety of the walkway! She could feel the train hit her tail as her feet hit the solid concrete path. That was too close for comfort!

Wendy breathed in and out quickly as she tried to compose herself, only to hear mechanical footsteps coming right toward her. She dashed behind a pallet and peeked around. This Cog was female...maybe. It was hard to tell. The Cog was chewing on a bunch of numbers and talking with its mouth full into a square device. Wendy actually knew what that thing was, and was proud of herself for retaining such information. It was called a 'cell phone'. Toons kept their phones plugged to the wall, and the only person the phone generally called was Clarabelle Cow; the Cattlelog merchant. Wendy was amazed by the ability to carry a device around that could call anyone. Cogs truly made some remarkable things.

Once the Cog passed by Wendy dared to leave her hiding place. She looked at the tracks, and saw many trains popping up, stopping for brief periods of time, and then moving on as quickly as they came. Some trains dropped off Cogs, and some left more of those boxes from Cog Nation behind.

"How am I supposed to cross all of these tracks?" Wendy whispered to herself.

She stood there for several minutes observing the trains. She noticed that they came and left quickly and had no discernible pattern. What she also noticed was that they generally came one at a time across the tracks. If she could just wait for a train to pass then she could scurry across quickly and make it to the other side.

It didn't take long for the first train to arrive. Wendy took a deep breath, blew it out, and then as soon as the train left she dashed across the tracks! She was small, and her feet kept tripping on the wood of the tracks, so it felt like it took forever to get across. She could actually hear a train coming, so she forced one last burst of energy to get to the other side before it ran her over. The train sped by just as she cleared the tracks, and she breathed in and out several times to calm her nerves.

Now Wendy was caught between the front entrance and the Cashbot lobby. She knew she would have to cross the rest of the tracks, and she was already so tired. She began to wonder if this was worth it, but then thought about what would happen if her mother didn't get jellybeans and decided it was. She would sooner face an army of Cogs rather than face an angry Sophia Moggytom.

One after the other Wendy made it across the tracks. She had splinters in her feet and shortness of breath. She wanted to cry, but wasn't ready to give up. Finally, after making her way across every train track, she arrived at the lobby. Only problem was she still had a massive staircase to climb.

Wendy moaned in anguish at seeing the stairs. She was too tired to go any further, but if she stopped to rest she might be saddened by an enemy Cog. Why did she agree to this?

"Psst! Hey, Toon," A Cog whispered to her from behind a pillar at the top of the stairs, "You Kevin Buzzard's new hire?"

"Uh...maybe," Wendy replied uncertainly, "I work for a Legal Eagle. My name is Wendy Jinxsprinkles. Are you Adam Calculus?"

"That's me," The Cog replied, "You comin' up or should I meet you down there?"

"Please come down here," Wendy asked; her haggard voice barely above a whisper, "My legs are tired."

"Pfft! Toons," Adam tsked, "We Cogs don't get tired. That's why we get the job done and you Toons all just run around like goofballs. By the way, you did come alone, right?"

"Yes, sir," Wendy replied nervously.

As the Cog slowly made his way down the stairs Wendy wondered if she made a mistake. The Cog knew she was alone and unarmed. What if he chose to sadden her and steal everything on her person? Admittedly she didn't really have anything, but she wouldn't put it past a shady guy like this to try.

When Adam came down Wendy could finally see him fully in the light. He was a sickly grey-green color with a smart looking suit and tiny hat. The hat almost made him look Toony, which made Wendy feel a little better.

"So, you need a currency exchange, huh?" Adam asked rhetorically, "Well, you've come to the right Cog. I've been dealin' with the exchange of cogbucks into other currencies since the day I was built!"

"Um, is that what this is?" Wendy asked in confusion, "I've never, um, had a job before. I need jellybeans to bring home to my mother."

"Ep, ep, save the sob story," Adam shushed her, "Let's just get down to business, shall we? Now, Kevin has agreed to transfer your cogbucks over to me for the foreseeable future in exchange for my services providing the equivalent in jellybeans over to you, minus my two cogbucks fee for the transaction. Now if we calculate current market prices, inflation, wartime price gouging, and the standard not understanding the contract fee, all of this brings us to an equitable number of..."

While Adam spoke Wendy could feel her Laff energy draining. Everything he said was confusing and long-winded. He took out a calculator and started talking about money some more, and poor Wendy could practically feel the numbers jump out of the calculator and hit her like a wave of numerical discontent. When Adam stopped talking he saw that Wendy was swaying back and forth where she stood and her eyes were glazed over.

"Hey kid, you still with me?" Adam asked her.

"Huh? Oh, uh, yes. I'm fine," Wendy lied unconvincingly.

"Alright, alright, I know Toons have a low tolerance for homework, so I'll briefly summarize," Adam replied, "Your total jellybeans after working an eight hour work day for Kevin Buzzard as a secretary is difficult to calculate due to the fluctuations in jellybean value depending on where and how they are spent."

Wendy groaned softly, and Adam put away his calculator.

"But, uh, never mind that," Adam replied almost apologetically, "Your total jellybeans is 14,327, minus my 327 jellybean broker's fee. Since I know Toons are bad at math, that means you get 14,000 jellybeans to take home today."

"What!?" Wendy practically choked when she heard this, "14,000 jellybeans for a single day? Do you know how many Toontasks that is!?"

"You get paid 10 cogbucks an hour, right?" Adam shrugged, "Well, that's 80 cogbucks for a full day's work. Like I said, the value of a jellybean is hard to calculate, but the closest thing to a real world value I could figure out was 175-178 jellybeans for every cogbuck. Not an exact science, but I do what I can."

"Are cogbucks truly so valuable?" Wendy asked in awe.

"Sure. Our economy is very stable and inflation continues to stimulate growth," Adam explained, though it was clear Wendy still didn't understand, "Eh, the point is you have a lot of jellybeans, and I have a couple cogbucks to add to my coffers. Everybody wins."

"I don't know how to thank you," Wendy replied gratefully.

"Don't thank me. Thank your boss," Adam waved off easily, "Anyway, here's your bag. Try not to spend it all in one place."

"Of course not. Thank you, sir!" Wendy exclaimed, "Uh...I don't know how to get home with all this."

"Don't you have a portal?" Adam asked condescendingly.

"I do, but it only goes to Toon Central," Wendy admitted sheepishly, "Young Toons with no training aren't allowed to travel too far."

"No problem. I've got just the thing," Adam replied with a smarmy smile, "This is an all-access teleportation hole. All experienced Toons have them. I swiped this one from a depressed rabbit after a coin mint battle. It's yours for a mere 2,000 jellybeans. I can take them right out of the sack if you like."

Wendy felt guilty about buying something that had belonged to a Toon that lost it's joy and possibly it's life in a Cog battle, but having a supercharged teleportation hole felt like a liberating idea. She nodded silently, and Adam quickly took the jellybeans out of her bag and pocketed them. He then gave her the pocket dimension just as promised. Adam lastly handed her the large sack, and Wendy toppled over while trying to hold it up.

She looked at the Cog slowly walking back to his office and didn't quite know what to think. On the one hand he could hurt her Laff without even trying and didn't seem to care where he got his merchandise. On the other hand he didn't seem malicious, but rather the product of a privileged and greedy society.

Why would Cogs even bother with Toontown? Wendy thought to herself. They already have so much. Their nation is practically paved with jellybeans, and they're all so organized. If I store some of the jellybeans in my teleportation hole and give Mother the rest, I can save up to eventually move away from my family. I could start a new life where no one will ever hurt me or use me again. Maybe I could even...maybe I could even move to Cog Nation.

Wendy didn't know where that thought came from, and knew it was a foolish idea, but she couldn't help but entertain the notion. If Cog Nation was so rich and so full of career opportunities, then that was a good place to be. Then again there was probably some 'No Toons Allowed' policy or something. She didn't know. She just knew her idea was silly...yet intriguing.

Wendy looked up at the starry sky as she walked down the dirt road to her estate. She was grateful that the sky was still in its night phase, that way maybe she could get some much needed rest. She had put in a full day with the Legal Eagle and then had to take a harrowing side journey to Cashbot HQ. Needless to say, she was pooped.

Just as Wendy was about to open her front door however, the curtain for the night sky was folded in and the moon and stars swiftly sunk down to who-knows-where. In their place the daylight sky was pulled up and the sun rose to greet the citizens of Toontown.

Normally Wendy liked seeing the sunrise, but today she was bent over from tiredness and low Laff and just wanted to rest. When she heard the baby crying and her mother shuffling around the house, she knew the bliss of slumber wasn't going to happen for quite a while.

Wendy went inside and tried to sneak past her mother to go to her room, but estates were small and trying to get past her family was nearly impossible. Her brother Tom noticed Wendy and shouted "Hey Ma! Wendy's up!"

"Perfect timing!" Her mother exclaimed, and Wendy groaned softly to herself, "Wendy! Get your mewing butt in here! Wacky Macky needs a diaper change!"

Wendy sighed defeatedly and shuffled over to the nursery to take care of the baby. In her mind she imagined saving up enough jellybeans to leave, and it was just enough to keep her Laff meter up.

After changing the stinky diaper, Wendy put the baby back in the crib and went off to her room. Before she got there however, she could hear the shrill shriek of her mother once again calling for her attention and/or assistance. Wendy hung her head and went to where her mother was, this time in the kitchen.

"Wendy! You went to work yesterday, right?" Sophie asked gruffly.

"Yes, Mother," Wendy replied, her eyes drooping as she fought sleep.

"So, where're my jellybeans?" Sophie practically growled, "You did bring back my jellybeans, right?"

"Yes, Mother. One Moment," Wendy replied compliantly.

Wendy reached into her pocket and pulled out a small brown bag. She had to stop herself from smiling as she handed over the jellybeans to her mother. Sophie counted out 200 jellybeans and was pleased by the generous amount. Wendy didn't tell her about the 10,800 jellybeans she had left besides those, and for a moment Wendy allowed herself a sense of impish glee over cheating her overbearing mother out of 'her' jellybeans.

"What kinda job did you get?" Sophie asked in a voice that sounded critical but was actually as close to approving as she got, "This is grownup money."

"The Brrrgh pays more generously than Toon Central," Wendy explained.

In truth, The Brrrgh actually did pay more, so Wendy wasn't technically lying. The part she left out however was that Cogs paid more generously than Toons.

"So, your job is that good, huh?" Sophie asked again, and Wendy nodded, "Well then, I guess if you can pull in this many jellybeans I'll let you keep working, but you don't neglect your responsibilities at home!"

"No, Mother," Wendy agreed, choosing to not confront her big scary mother at this time.

"Now, go pull some weeds out of the garden!" Sophie ordered.

"Um, actually Mother, I had a long day yesterday and I really need to-" Wendy stammered.

"NOW!" Sophie screamed.

Wendy squeaked in fright and ran out to the garden to begin tending to Sophie's prized flowers. Sophie loved her garden and had even placed in a few flower growing competitions, so Wendy knew better than to mess with her mother on this matter. She could pull the weeds, wash up, and then get some sleep. Surely it wouldn't take that long.

Wendy sat on her knees and dutifully pulled weeds as the hot sun beat down on her. On days like this it felt like even the sun of Toontown was against her. If it weren't for Frank she would have nothing to live for in this blasted place.

That thought made her fantasize about Cog Nation again. She imagined herself as a Cog, though she didn't know their types so it was mostly her picturing her own mousy self as a robot. She imagined her automaton self going to work in an office, chatting with Cog coworkers, and then going home to a lovely pink Doodle and drinking coffee just like a Cog would. No parents, no bratty brother, no gardens, no parties, no messes, just order and peace...

Wendy fell asleep from thinking about these beautiful thoughts, and when she woke up it was to her brother poking her with a stick.

"Hey, Wendy! Hey, Wendy!" Tom's annoying voice shouted, "You dead? Can I have your stuff if you're dead?"

"Uh..." Wendy forced the fog of slumber away from herself, and then leapt up in surprise when Tom poked her in the side, "Eep! Tom, what are you doing!?"

"You passed out like an hour ago and squashed Ma's flowers. I just wanted to let you know I'm telling."

"Oh no! No no no! You can't tell Mother I ruined her flowerbed!" Wendy pleaded, "She'll kill me!"

"Yeah, well that's on you, Rip Van Stinkle," Tom sneered, "Hey Ma!"

"Wait!" Wendy squealed as she pulled Tom's arm down so he would be closer to her eye level, "Would you not tell her if I paid you?"

"Paid me? With what? Your stupid golf clubs?" Tom asked snidely.

"I'll give you 20 jellybeans to not tell," Wendy bargained.

"Hm...You really got that much?" Tom asked curiously.

Wendy then pulled out a few jellybeans from her teleportation hole, and Tom's eyes lit up at the sight.

"Deal," Tom whispered just as their mother starting waddling over to the scene.

When Sophie saw the kids standing in front of her flattened flowerbed, she gasped in shock and anger. Her brows soon furrowed and her eyes glared daggers at the duo.

"Which one of you little monsters destroyed my tulips!?" Sophie bellowed.

"I did it," Tom replied quickly, "I was playing with my football and accidentally tackled into the flowers. I'm sorry, Ma."

Sophie looked at Wendy, as if secretly accusing her, but then her gaze softened as it went back to Tom. Tom put on his most convincing contrite face, and Sophie bought it hook, line, and sinker.

"It's okay, baby," Sophie cooed as she hugged her son, "Accidents happen. I know you didn't mean to. Why don't you wash up before lunch, okay sweetie?"

Tom sniffed as if he had just been crying and said "Thanks, Ma. You're the best."

Wendy would have laughed if her mother wasn't still within earshot. Tom was such a drama king, and despite being one of the biggest troublemakers in the neighborhood their mother always believed his pleas of innocence and his half-hearted apologies. Sometimes Wendy wished her parents loved her as much as their natural children, but today she was just grateful Tom was such a good liar.

After the flower incident and a lunch that consisted of jelly sandwiches and milk, Wendy's next task was to fix the lawnmower. She was feeling a little better by this time so was able to focus on the task of pulling rocks and mud out of the gears. She tutted to herself, realizing her brother must have tried to mow the lawn. He knew nothing about mower safety and was lucky he didn't fling rocks into a window or something.

She had to be careful to not get her gloves caught in the gears, and by now her pretty pink dress was covered in grass stains from all the yard work she had done. Oh well, beauty like this didn't come cheap, and Wendy was just as proud of the lawn as the rest of her family.

While she was working on unclogging the blades, a finger tapped her on the shoulder, and she feared it would be her mother with another task. When she turned around however she was pleasantly surprised to see Frank standing there instead. Frank smiled at her, but then turned serious as he gave a shrugging gesture, and Wendy knew what that meant.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday," Wendy said apologetically, "Mother made me stay home and work."

Frank made a face Wendy couldn't quite read. He seemed maybe...skeptical? Pondering? Curious? It was a face Wendy hadn't seen him make before and therefore had no clue what it meant.

Brushing aside his previous question, Frank then hoisted up his golf bag, asking Wendy if she wanted to go to Acorn Acres and play a few rounds.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," Wendy winced, "Mother has given me a long list of chores today. After I fix the lawnmower I need to feed Wacky Macky, plant new flowers, scrub the floors, and wash the windows. I am soo tired, it's making me dizzy. Maybe we can play another time?"

Frank nodded in understanding, and then pointed to the sun and looped around with his finger once to ask if tomorrow was okay.

"I'm sorry, no," Wendy replied sadly, "I have work tomorrow."

Frank then raised an eyebrow, asking what work she had to do.

"Oh, uh, it's work for Mother! Yes, Mother again!" Wendy quickly told him to cover her tracks.

Frank again nodded, slower this time, and then sat down next to Wendy to help her figure out the problem with the lawnmower. If they couldn't play together, then at least they could work together. Wendy smiled gratefully, so glad to have a friend like Frank.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" Sophie suddenly shouted as she ran out of the house, "Hey, dog! You're gonna break our mower!"

Frank just rolled his eyes at her and continued studying the lawnmower with Wendy. Sophie fumed at seeing she was being ignored, so she grabbed a patio umbrella from their picnic table and whacked Frank over the head with it!

Frank scowled irritably as he rubbed his sore head, and Sophie came around for another swing. Frank dodged, but barely since he was so tall. Wendy hid behind the mower so she wouldn't get hit too, and Frank looked at Sophie with pure ire.

"Get off my property, you meow dog!" Sophie yelled, "Wendy can't afford to have you holding her back anymore! She's got a job now, and she's not gonna have you standing in her way, now git!"

Frank ran off with Sophie chasing him with the umbrella, but fortunately for him she wasn't much for running and gave up when he was halfway down the road.

As Frank started walking back to his orphanage in Toon Central he couldn't help but wonder about Wendy. She said she was working for her mother the day before, but Frank knew that was a lie. He came over that day, and had an awkward yet unproductive conversation with Wendy's father. He had said Wendy wasn't home. Now Sophie claims Wendy has a new job despite Wendy not telling him anything about it.

Something weird was definitely going on with Wendy, and Frank couldn't help but think it might be something bad. He hoped Wendy wasn't in trouble, but if she was then it was his duty to find out.