Chapter 9 : Wolves and Jokes

A few hours later the pets were all gathered together to listen to some of Pepper's new jokes. They had decided to try and get their minds of the fact that there was a blood thirsty wolf in their midst by getting a good laugh. Mango was still in the fire hydrant for all they knew and everything seemed perfectly safe for the moment. Despite that fact, the pets shuffled nervously on the ground and kept sneaking glances back at the fire hydrant. Sunil grabbed his tail and twisted it violently in his paws. Vinnie noticed and gently took the tail out of Sunil's paws before he could hurt himself without knowing it. Smiling, Sunil thanked Vinnie with a pat on the back.

"How are you doing?" Vinnie asked with concern. He knew that Sunil could get frightened easily and being in the same room with a wolf was not good for the mongoose.

"As well as can be expected. You?" Sunil asked with a small smile.

"Same." Was all Vinnie said before turning back to the stage with a sigh. He jumped suddenly when Pepper burst onto the stage laughing loudly.

"All right everybody, ready to laugh your tails off? Not literally Vinnie!" Pepper joked as Vinnie's tail fell off when the gecko landed back on the ground.

That got a good laugh from everyone and Pepper felt great. She had amazing material for the show and thanks to a friend's suggestions, she had even found a way to make their current situation work for her. Pepper's face was smug as she cracked her knuckles and prepared to get started. It was going to be her best show ever.

Mango decided that it was time to stop hiding in the fire hydrant. She had taken a nap for a few hours and felt well rested. Ready to set this whole wolf problem to rest, Mango smiled stretched. She climbed out, looking around for the other pets. Mango secretly hoped to find Pepper first. The skunk was her closest friend in the Pet Shop and Mango knew that if anyone would understand what she was going through it would be her.

After all, who could know more about being judged by what they are more than a skunk? Mango thought as she scanned the room for her friend. Other than a wolf anyway.

She heard laughter and followed the sound. Mango then saw all the pets gathered around for one of Pepper's shows. Sitting down a few feet away from the other pets, Mango decided to listen to some of the jokes. After the show was over, she would be able to speak to Pepper privately and hopefully fix everything.

"Ok, what did Little Red Riding Hood said to her grandma?" Pepper asked with a smile and chuckle.

"What?" Everyone answered with large smiles.

"I almost thought you were a wolf, until you were able to talk to me!" Pepper yelled out as she jumped into the air. Wiping a tear from her eye, she looked at her audience to see what they thought of her opening joke.

Everyone cracked up laughing. The pets fell over themselves as they struggled to support themselves. Once the giggling had quieted down, they all turned to Pepper with bright smiles. Their eyes shined with merriment as they prepared for another laughing fit.

"What did the Three Little Pigs say to the wolf?" Pepper asked innocently

"What?" Everyone said as their smiles grew wider.

"We don't want you inside our houses. Just because you broke our houses doesn't mean you're housebroken!" Pepper began laughing hysterically.

The other pets joined her. Sunil's laugh rang out above the rest. He blushed and covered his mouth with his paws. The other pets began to laugh even harder when they noticed the look on his face. Vinnie patted him on the back to let him know it was all right if he laughed. Getting the hint, Sunil began to laugh louder than ever.

"Ok, ok, last one. Here goes. What is the difference between a Wolf and a Skunk?" Pepper said with a devilish grin. Her eyes scanned the crowd as she waited.

All the pets looked at each other with confusion. Then they all shrugged. Turning to Pepper they leaned forward and waited for the punch line.

"One is SMELLY and the other is… a Skunk!" Pepper yelled triumphantly.

That joke sent everyone into hysterics. They all fell over and began laughing until their sides ached. It seemed to last for several minutes before they were able to calm down. Their mirth ended when they saw a pet step out from the shadows.

"Wow, funny stuff there. Funny stuff. Nice jokes best bud." Mango said while giving them all a sarcastic smile. Her eyes were slightly narrowed and did not sparkle.

Pepper gazed down with a shameful expression. Suddenly her jokes weren't that funny.

Mango went and sat down in the crowd of pets. They all scooted over and gave her some room. She looked at every one of them before looking back at Pepper. They had all seemed ashamed as well. Vinnie wouldn't even meet her gaze. She chuckled softly as she stared down the skunk.

So this was how brave they are. They can't even say anything. Mango thought bitterly. No wonder they are scared of me. Her heart was aching, but she ignored it and continued.

"What no more jokes? I thought you had a million of them Pepper. I'm disappointed." Mango said with mock dissappointment. Her mouth began to form a slight pout.

Pepper flinched at Mango's calm tone. People always said that it was horrible to have someone yell but it was twice as scary when someone was being quiet. She had never believed them before. How could someone be scary when they were being quiet? It was too absurd for any sane pet to believe. Now she believed them. Pepper wanted nothing more than for Mango to scream, yell, do anything besides talk.

"I have one. What's the difference between wolves and jokes?" Mango looked around at everyone. No one would look back. "Come on. No one knows?"

She sighed with dissappointment before continuing. "Well then. One is absolutely vicious and the other is… a wolf." Mango let her words hang in the quiet air for a little while before she began to talk again. "Thank you ladies and gentle pets. I'll be here all day, and the day after that, and the day after that, and every day in the foreseeable future. I'm not going anywhere."

She then got up, walked away into the fire hydrant and lied down inside. The shamed pets decided to get up and go to her but Zoe quickly stopped them. She held out her paws to block their path and gave them a serious look. Her tone was firm when she spoke.

"She just wants to be alone right now." Zoe said with a glare.

But the truth was that Mango didn't want to be left alone. She wanted someone, anyone, to come and comfort her. To apologize and listen to her. If just one pet could find the courage to come to the fire hydrant and see the horrible wolf, she would know that she had actually made a true friend. Mango whimpered as she closed her eyes. She doubted that would ever happen. There was no pet brave enough in the entire Pet Shop.