December 14, 2008 :: 11 days to go!
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The next day was Mario's poaching day again and Link discovered him decarbonizing the cylinders of Mr Scott's Austin Seven. It was a little car, built in the 1930s, and it still ran as smoothly as it ever had. Mr Scott was proud of his car and often gave it to Mario for repair. He released the valve springs and drew out the valves, then unscrewed the cylinder head nuts. Mario began scraping the carbon from the inside of the head.
"I have to be away by six," Mario said. "Then I'll get there by twilight. 'Cause at then, everything becomes veiled and shady. It's not easy for someone to see you. You can always hide in the shadows."
"When will you be back?" Link asked, leaning against the wall.
"Ten. Half ten at the latest. You're sure you don't want to come? You'd love a nice big pheasant. Zelda says if I get a few, she'll keep them and roast them for the real Christmas dinner and make sure Roy doesn't have a food fight."
"I'm sure. You will be alright, though, won't you?"
"Don't worry about me," Mario grinned, getting up and hugging Link. "I did say every man in my dad's village got shot up by keepers. But there are hardly any keepers now. Three at the most, I'm guessing."
At five Link and Mario had an early dinner of sausages and bacon, but Mario hardly ate. Finally, Pikachu ran in the room and was treated to Mario's meal. At five to six, Mario hugged them all in farewell and walked out the front door. Link watched him. He had an old navy sweater on and an even older hat on his head. He turned and waved, and disappeared at a bend in the road.