Chapter 6: Who's Coming To Dinner?

OK, you're about to find out Malcolm's answer. Can the Chameleon come to dinner or not? Maria and Mario just asked their dad. I wonder if his answer will surprise you. . . By the way "sotto voce" is Italian for "under voice." It means the other characters aren't supposed to hear it, sort of like an aside or soliloquy.

"Absolutely NOT!" thundered Malcolm. He had lived in Petropolis for less than a week and already he was its most feared citizen. He was a tall fox with his hair in dark red corkscrews cascading to his shoulders. His eyes were a radiant piercing silver. "There is NO WAY I will let him in my house!"

Maria looked at Mario as if to say, See? I told you so. I have no more power over our father than you do. "But, Dad, could you reconsider? Could you try showing a little more compassion?"

"The answer is No, and it always will be, Maria! I will not let the Chameleon in this house under any circumstances." But then he added sottovoce, "Unless of course to give him a really good beating." Maria and Mario still heard.

"Malcolm!" called Margarita Foxxy, Malcolm's wife. She was stunning with long, pale blond hair and the same sapphire eyes as her children. Like Congress could veto the President, she was the only one who could overrule Malcolm "the Duke" Foxxy. So it was to her that her kids looked to with hope. "What's going on here?"

"Maria wants a friend to come to dinner but Dad said no," blurted Mario.

"Unbelieveable, dear!" Margarita said to her husband. "Haven't we been wanting Maria to make friends?"

"Yes, but that friend is the Chameleon!"

She thought about it. "Malcolm, shouldn't we try to be neighborly? Besides, what do you think he would do?"

"He would be a bad influence on the kids, for one! Not to mention he would rob us blind, or blow up our house, set it on fire, take away you, or Maria, or Mario, or who knows what! The fact is, Margie, he simply CAN'T BE TRUSTED!"

She grinned like the Cheshire Cat. Margarita had found her trump card. "Are you afraid of the Chameleon?"

His face turned puce. He sputtered, "NO!"

"Don't you think you could take him down if he caused problems, darling?" she purred.

"Well, of course. . ." His resolve weakened.

She started to drag him into the kitchen. "Excuse us, kids. Your father and I are going to make a deal."

The siblings heard their parents talking softly but couldn't make out any words. Finally, Malcolm and Margarita emerged. He looked somewhat defeated while she had a look of semi-smugness. Malcolm sighed. "All right, the Chameleon is coming over tonight." The kids beamed, victorious. "On one condition!"

Later that evening, the Chameleon arrived at the house next door. He had brought a small boquet as a peace offering. Maria hadn't told him how she convinced her dad. He knocked on the door, soon to learn the cost of the conquest.

When he walked in he saw Maria, who seemed happy to see him. But another face shocked him. "Agent Puppy!"

Dudley was equally surprised. "Chameleon!"

They looked each other in the face and said, "What are YOU doing here?"

In the next chapter, you'll read about this dinner at the Foxxy house. You'll also find out exactly what Malcolm's "condition" is, and how Dudley is part of it. Please review soon. Bye!