Chapter 4: The Next Mona Lisa!
I DO NOT own T.U.F.F. Puppy or any characters except the Foxxy family. OK, all art lovers will like this chapter. Enjoy!
The Chameleon poured some coffee, with a brand new plan in his brain. He was creating a laser flyswatter that would direct all the insects and spiders in Petropolis to him. Brilliant, no?
He put the final piece in place. "Yes!" However, in his triumph, he threw his hands up and his new invention went out the window. "What a week I'm having!"
Slapping his forehead, the Chameleon sped after his device. It was lost in the tall grass. "Oh, why did I put off mowing the lawn?" he griped. "I don't have time for this!" He turned into a lawn mower and zoomed through his yard when he saw Maria sitting alone in her driveway. What's she doing out here? He went over to investigate.
He turned back into himself. She was wearing one of those artist's hats- what were they called? "What are you doing?"
"Oh, good morning, Mr. Chameleon," chirped Maria. He actually liked the sound of that. "I'm supposed to start a new painting for my art class. I'm attending the Petropolis Art College. My teacher is James P. Fowl. I'm supposed to use a Crime and Punishment theme." She cocked her head. "Have you ever had a time when you were out of ideas, when you were racking your brain for inspiration?"
"I've had times exactly like that."
Maria gasped. Her eyes lit up. "You're perfect!"
"Well, thanks."
"Don't you want to know what you're perfect for?"
"I guess."
"I want to you to be my model."
A model? "Hmm. No one's ever asked me to model before. I figured maybe I just wasn't attractive."
"Nonsense. You're the perfect model for me in so many ways. I mean, my theme's Crime and Punishment, right? You're a felon." She studied him. "Your face. . . may be a challenge. And if there's one thing I love, it's a challenge."
The Chameleon considered modeling. "Well, as much as I'd love to help you, Maria, I have to look for my laser flyswatter."
"Do you mean this?" She had it. How in the world did it land in her yard? "Now, take that in your left hand and point it at me, and take this dollar-sign bag in your other hand."
"All right, I'll do it." He took his creation and the bag.
"Now narrow your eyes a little bit and make a little half smile, like the Mona Lisa." The Chameleon sighed but did it anyway. For some reason, he didn't want to disappoint her. "Excellent! I am going to be the next Leonardo da Finchi!"
"But what does that make me?"
"The Mona Lisa."
"That's a compliment, right?"
"Of course," Maria assured him. "Oh, and I don't think I explained the most important rule. Do NOT MOVE a MUSCLE! Capeiche?" The Chameleon nodded.
Maria started to paint. Five minutes hadn't passed when a dragonfly flew by the Chameleon's head. "Ooh! Dragonfly!" His tongue lashed out.
"WHAT did I say about MOVING?"
The Chameleon gulped. "I know, not to do it. But the dragonfly-"
"FORGET the dragonfly!"
"Remind me why I'm listening to you, Maria," he demanded.
"For one thing, I have a black belt, so you don't scare me. But more importantly, you're doing it because I'm getting down on my knees and begging you. Can you really say no to that?"
"I guess not. I'm so relieved you didn't mention your father." Then he saw the look on her face. "What?"
"Do you really think of me that way? Do you think I call my big, bad daddy every time I don't get my way?"
He sighed. "I shouldn't have said that."
"I know." She smiled. "I'm sorry if I'm being a tyrant. I sort of inherited my dad's temper. Want me to play some music? It might make things less miserable for you."
"Okay. What did you have in mind?"
"How about Lady Ha ha? She's my favorite."
"You kidding? She's my favorite too."
"Great! I'll get my CD." She looked back at him. "Well, Mr. Chameleon, you're about to make your debut in the art world."
Before Maria left, the Chameleon said, "Wait, I've got a question. What's that kind of hat called?"
"It's a beret. Be right back!" she squealed. The Chameleon thought that this was the perfect time to test his new invention. He pressed the green button. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing.
"Come on!" said the Chameleon, as he cursed his device in vain. He pressed it a third time. This time three mosquitoes idly flew by him. All three had disappeared before you could say "Vincent van Goat." "It needs work."
"I'm back!" sang Maria. She dragged a CD player and Lady Ha ha's Greatest Hits. "Time to create my magnum opus."
"Pardon?"
"It's Latin for great work. I have a feeling this may be my greatest work." She pressed play and the hyena started to spread her messages of acceptance and love. At first the Chameleon was tense. He had accepted Maria's offer very reluctantly. For one thing, he didn't know if he hold still until she finished. Another thing, he feared he just wasn't that good looking. But after a while, he began to stare at Maria's swift fingers, at her rapid strokes on the canvas. He felt hypnotized. The thrill in her sapphire eyes entranced him. The passing of time ceased to have meaning to him.
"Is it. . . done yet?" he murmured.
"It is now." She stopped the music and showed him her masterpiece.
The Chameleon couldn't believe it. It looked more like a photograph than a painting. "It's great. I look so. . . intense, so. . . powerful. You sure paid a lot of attention to details."
"That means a lot to me. Oh yes, I see an A in my future." She began to drag her painting inside when she hesitated. "Um, Chameleon, how would you like to have dinner at my house tonight?"
He couldn't believe his ears. "Is this a joke?"
"No!" She seemed a little hurt.
"Sorry, it's just that people don't invite me to their houses often," he explained. "Maybe it's because I'm so solitary and I'm always trying to conquer or destroy everyone."
"That's definitely a drawback," Maria admitted. "Look, I'm perfectly aware of your crimes, and I know you're about as outgoing as I am, but I really want you to come."
"I don't think your dad likes me. He scares me."
"You're right. He doesn't like you. But I do." She sighed. "I don't mean to sound spoiled, but my dad doesn't say no to me very often."
"I assure you, I want to go. But aren't you afraid I'll ruin everything?"
"Oh, don't be- What was that?"
"Huh?" They heard a whirring sound above their heads and a nearby rustling sound. He saw something small flying, a thin dark shape. "Is that another dragonfly?" His tongue lashed out. But it wasn't a dragonfly. "What the-"
Who is watching Maria and the Chameleon? You'll find out soon.
