The last time we saw the Warners, Yakko and Nori struck a bet on whether or not Yakko can be a gentleman. That means none of his famous double entendres or innuendoes. Needless to say, the results are interesting so far.

I want to say a special thank-you to my dear guest reviewer Jenny, whose last review gave me some big-time inspiration for the events of this chapter. Jenny, get your popcorn ready!

"Guys, I'm getting old out here. Any longer, my fur's gonna turn white."

"Cool it, Yakko! We're almost done."

"Can't get any cooler," Yakko said, turning to the full-length mirror nearby. He pulled a comb out of his pocket to neaten his fur, but shrugged as he gazed at his reflection. Why mess with perfection? he thought, sticking the comb back in his pocket.

Nori, who was sitting on the bench in front of the costume shop's fitting rooms, shot him a grin. "Are they like this every Halloween?"

"Darn near. They're like kids in a candy store whenever we go costume shopping."

"Don't you pick out costumes, too?"

"Normally, yes, but I made mine this year. I've got a party to go to after trick-or-treat ends tomorrow night, and I wanted a one-of-a-kind look."

"Oh, you're going to a Halloween party? Where?"

"Acme Acres. The kids at Acme Looniversity are throwing a big 'do, and Buster Bunny invited me to come hang out. I'm the only one of us who has a later curfew, so Scratchy gave me a green light to go." Yakko grinned. "I ain't missing trick-or-treat, don't worry. You got a costume?"

"Not yet. I figure I'll see what the kids pick and then decide." Nori gave him a look. "Nothing sexy. No treats from me."

Oh man, that was good. Yakko had to bite his tongue to come up with a clever, yet safe, retort. "Yeah, well… no tricks from me," he said, unable to stop the grumpy note from seeping in. No tricks was putting it mildly. In the week since their bet was struck, Yakko had really had to fight to control his mouth, and Nori was not wasting the opportunity to bait him with some double entendres – no doubt in revenge for all the flirting he'd done. And she was doing a jim-dandy job exacting her vengeance. His goodnight, everybody usage was at an all-time high.

Thankfully, Dot chose to emerge from the right-hand fitting room at that moment. The Warner sister bounced out in a white blouse and blue gingham dress, a basket on her arm and glittering red shoes on her feet. "What do you think?"

"I think you're not in Kansas anymore," Yakko said with a smile. "Where's Wakko?"

The other fitting room's door burst open and Wakko lopped out in a scarecrow's garb, straw peeking out of his sleeves and pant legs. "Has anyone seen my brain?"

Yakko threw up his hands. "No comment."

Nori laughed. "I don't need to see it to know you're smart. This is a great idea, guys!"

Dot grinned. "The movie's 60 this year. We can't not do a little salute." She turned to her eldest brother. "I know you've got your costume for the big bash at Acme Loo, but we're kinda going for a theme with trick-or-treat. Tin Man or Cowardly Lion? Take your pick."

Yakko didn't have to think long. "Tin Man. Scratchy can be the Lion. It'll be the most hair he's had in years."

Dot snorted a laugh. "How about you, Nori? You're going with us."

"I don't know, Dot. Knowing what's left in Oz, I'm gonna be either a good witch or a bad witch," Nori said with a half-chuckle.

"Good witch," Dot said firmly.

"Ditto," Wakko chimed in. "You're too nice to be the Wicked Witch."

Nori shrugged. "Guess that settles it, then."

"Perfect!" Dot snagged a sparkly pink dress and accessories from the nearby rack and thrust them into Nori's arms. "We've got our Glinda!"

Yakko couldn't help grinning at Nori's reaction to the costume. Glinda's dress was a bright pink disco ball of a gown, all fluff and glitter. He'd only seen Nori wearing jeans and jewel-toned tops, never anything frilly or pink. And she was staring at the dress like it was a muumuu. "I take it pink ain't exactly your color?"

"Let me put it this way: if someone tried to force it on you against your will, you'd hate it, too." She sighed. "Whoever said mother knows best is a liar," she added, almost to herself.

Yakko frowned at this. It was more confirmation that she was getting picked on at home, and it sounded like her mom was doing the picking. I wonder if I'm gonna have to have a talk with Mrs. Bennett sometime soon.

Wakko and Dot had likewise heard the remark and were gazing up at their babysitter with concern. Dot looked downright guilty for giving her the dress. "It's okay, Nori; you don't have to wear it," she said softly. "I didn't know."

Nori's face lit with a smile and she knelt to take Dot's face in her hands. "Dot, it's fine," she assured, dropping a kiss on Dot's forehead. "It's just one night. Besides, how can I say no to the cutest little girl in Burbank?"

The grin returned to Dot's face and her eyes twinkled. "You can't," she teased, releasing a delighted cackle when Nori swung her up and bear-hugged her.

Nori gave Dot's fur a fluff and grinned at the boys. " Come on, y'all. Let's get these costumes paid for, get our groceries, and go home."

"Yeah. We need eggs and toilet paper real bad," Yakko said, rubbing his hands together. Tonight was Mischief Night, when pranks were played all over town. Of course, he and his sibs never picked on anyone innocent. They preferred to save their energy and resources for… more deserving targets.

"Dude, you are not egging houses," Nori said as they pooled money to pay the tab.

"I'm not talkin' about the Warner lot. There's a couple of toon characters who deserve some egg on their faces, so we hit their houses every year."

"Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam?"

Yakko bellowed a laugh. "Don't you wish! Bugs would string us up by our tails if we tried it."

Nori's smile became knowing. "He wants to do it himself, doesn't he?"

"Yup, and we ain't stupid enough to steal his thunder," Yakko said. "Nah, we prank Slappy's old villains."

"And she's cool with it?"

"Are you kidding? She encourages us to do it," Dot spoke up. "She always has us over for a snack later as a thank-you."

Nori chuckled. "Anyone else y'all prank?"

Wakko raised his hand. "I prank the clown."

"Clown?"

"Yeah, this weirdo clown Plotzie keeps sending our way on our birthdays," Yakko said. "And Wak here hates clowns like a cat hates water."

Nori's eyes shifted to Wakko, who was making a face. "Are you scared of him, bud?"

Wakko shuddered. "Yeah. Last year, I TP'd his house."

Yakko snorted. "TP'd, heck! You mummified it so he couldn't get out."

Wakko's smile turned wicked. "I'm gonna egg it this year. I built a catapult to throw the eggs."

Nori winced. "Don't you think that might get you in trouble? Mr. Plotz may not like that."

"Ha! That's a laugh and a half. He's terrified of clowns, too. When he heard about Wakko's little catapult this year, he paid for six dozen eggs himself." Yakko laughed mirthlessly. "The only time of year when he actually encourages us to go nuts." He stole a glance at Nori and kicked himself for, yet again, sounding pitiful in front of her. If there was one thing he wasn't, it was pitiful. Thankfully, she got the costumes paid for and bustled them all out the door without asking any other questions.

By the time they got to the supermarket, though, Yakko was dearly wishing she did pity him. There were some perfect opportunities for food-related flirting, and he couldn't seize them due to their bet. And it made him just a little sore, because dang, he had some good ones. If you were a fruit, you'd be a fine-apple. Are you a lemon, 'cause you sure make me pucker up. You've gotta be peanut butter, 'cause you're making me feel like jelly! And the piece de resistance: You must put a lot of spice in your food 'cause you're smokin' hot!

Nope, couldn't use a-one. And if he was being honest, it was starting to tick him off just a little. For a toon, being witty and charming was as much his lifeblood (or life-ink, in this case) as comedy was. How in the living heck was he supposed to win Nori over if he couldn't be charming? Then again, she'd been immune to his charm so far. What was it she'd said? "You have to publicly say your charm doesn't sparkle." Yakko bristled. No way, sister. I've just gotta find another way to shine.

And so he did. He made a point to help out with picking out the groceries and loading them into the cart, and making sure his sibs were entertained. Things went well, and Nori definitely seemed to like it… until they got to the produce section, and then things went south.

"Okay, let's see… what fruit do we want?" Nori began to laugh as the Warners started playing with the fruit they wanted – Wakko and Yakko juggling apples and tossing them back and forth, and Dot piling a bunch of fruit on her head Carmen Miranda-style. Of course, when that happened, all three couldn't resist the chance to do the Conga, tossing or hip-bumping their selections into the cart.

"Whoops, don't forget this," Wakko said, hefting a fat watermelon into the cart. "Everyone likes watermelon, right?"

"Yup," said Dot.

"Me too." Nori turned to Yakko, who cringed when he saw her devious smile. "Yakko?"

Oh man, this cannot be good, Yakko thought upon hearing her innocent tone.

He was right. "What kind of melons do you like?"

Oh, sweet Lord in heaven, she might as well have kicked him in the crown jewels and told him not to scream. There were so many responses to that delicious little double entendre, yet the bet and his precious kiss hung over him. Yakko mentally willed his tongue into a sheepshank, but the urge to quip back made him shake from his head to his toes. Sweat dripped off him, his tail shot straight out, his ears curled in, and his eyes bugged until he opened his mouth and croaked "Goodnight, everybody!" Man, I never thought I'd be sick and tired of saying that, he thought, slumping and gasping for air. Meanwhile, his sibs were staring at him like he'd grown an extra head. He didn't dare look at Nori.

A bemused smile on her face, Dot looked up at Nori. "Watermelon's fine," she said.

Nori chuckled and grinned at Yakko, who was still trying to catch his breath. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?" she asked. As soon as she had her back to him, Yakko frantically motioned to Wakko. "Quick, you got a jar in your gag bag? Gimme it, hurry!"

Puzzled, Wakko retrieved the jar from the depths of his gag bag and passed it to his brother. Yakko wrenched the lid off the jar and screamed into it, the glass muffling the sound. Once he was done, he capped the jar and handed it back. "Don't open it. Save it for later; we may need it," he gasped, wiping his forehead.

Wakko gazed at the jar for a second before stuffing it back into his bag. Dot, having witnessed the whole thing, whispered into Wakko's ear and pointed at the sack. Wakko nodded and opened the bag again so his sister could dive inside. The bag bulged this way and that until Dot emerged with a Coke slush in her hand. "Here, drink this," she said, offering the drink to Yakko.

Yakko sighed in relief. "God bless you, sibs," he said, downing the slush in one gulp. A rush of freezing cold seized the back of his throat and speared his brain. His entire body stiffened and he shivered, swallowing again to bring some warmth back into his mouth. "Thanks," he groaned, stowing the cup in Wakko's bag. "I needed that."

Wakko and Dot looked at each other. "Is he gonna blow?" Wakko asked quietly as his brother, still a little wobbly, followed Nori to the front of the store.

"Can you say 'Krakatoa'?" Dot asked before they moved to join their brother and babysitter.

By the time they'd returned to the Warner lot, Yakko was about ready to bust. The melon gag hadn't been the last of the double entendres Nori had for him. He'd tried to make civil conversation by talking about what a great car she had, and just when he thought he'd found a safe subject, Nori sniped him. He mentioned how dark it was getting now that fall had settled in, and she responded, "Yeah, good thing I've got great headlights." Yakko had darn near turned himself inside out to keep his mouth shut, the shaking and sweating overtaking him again until he yelled "Goodnight, everybody!" and slumped back in his seat, breathing hard. He'd kept quiet all the way through Burbank and as they picked up some takeout from Colonel Sanders, and he was still keeping schtum now, back at home sweet water tower.

Meanwhile, Wakko and Dot wouldn't shut up about the pranks they had lined up for tonight, as well as the usual cup of cider and slab of walnut pie at Slappy's place afterwards. Nori wasn't coming along – she was staying behind to catch up with Scratchy and Heloise. Thank God. I won't have to watch myself, Yakko thought as he put the groceries away. Jeez, since when did I get so grumpy?

"Okay, y'all, dinner's served," Nori said, hauling the bag of fried chicken and sides onto the kitchen table. "One bucket of extra crispy and enough sides to choke a horse." She cracked open the bucket first. "Dot, what do you want?"

"A wing, a thigh, and load me up with some mashed potatoes," Dot said, plunking herself down at the table. "I need my carbs if we're pranking Slappy's idiots tonight."

Nori chuckled. "Wakko, how about you?"

"Two drumsticks. Any sides are okay with me."

"Cool, just don't drum on the table with them."

A sliver of fear ran down Yakko's spine when he realized he was up next – and what Nori could possibly ask him. Chicken bucket. I know what's in there. Nori, have mercy! I can't take much more of this torture! Please God, don't let her ask it!

"Yakko?" Nori wore that wicked grin he'd come to dread. "What do you want? A leg or a breast?"

God Almighty, she asked it! Never had his willpower been more sorely tested than at that moment. Every single drop of ink within him was screaming to answer with one lulu of an innuendo, but again, he reminded himself loud and clear, he had a New Year's kiss on the line, and darned if he was going to lose it over one slip of the tongue. The shaking started again, so badly this time that Yakko felt like the second coming of Mount St. Helens. Sweat poured off him, smoke streamed out of his ears, and his eyes were going cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. He clamped a hand over his mouth to keep from spewing the raunchy comeback on his mind, stomping his foot on the floor so fast, it vibrated. I can't take it! I gotta get outta here before I lose this bet and my kiss! "Goodnight, everybody!" he yelled hoarsely before bolting out of the water tower and speeding for the studio gym. Once inside, he body-slammed one of the punching bags hanging from the ceiling, pounding the crap out of it and screaming his frustration to the cavernous space, not giving a flying frick who heard him.

"I'm gonna explode!" Punch! "I got a million great pick-up lines and I can't use 'em!" Smack! "I'm a toon! I gotta flirt!" Pound! "I can't take much more of this!" Pow! "I'm gonna go from zany to stark ravin' nuts if I go through this again!" With a cry of rage, Yakko kicked the punching bag so hard, it went flying in an arc, boomeranged around, and slammed into him with such force, it knocked him backwards on his butt and he went sprawling across the floor. "Ugh…" he groaned, sucking in a lungful of air and rubbing his now-aching head. "Can this get any worse?"

"If you count having an eyewitness worse, then yes."

Yakko suddenly wished he could fall through the floor. He knew that voice, and this was the last person he wanted to witness his little meltdown. "I had to ask." He turned around to see Heloise sitting on a nearby bench, gazing at him with an amused smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was cooling off after my workout," Heloise said, indicating her white sweatsuit and the gym bag at her feet. "But instead, I get treated to your impression of Taz."

Yakko felt his cheek fur flame red. She was probably loving every second of this. He'd spent the last six years flirting with her and chasing her around the lot, and no doubt she'd been dying to see him get a taste of his own medicine. "I bet you're getting a real kick out of this."

"I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't," the nurse replied, smile still firmly in place. "I take it the bet is still on and you've got a lot of repressed frustration locked up in there?"

Frick, man. He'd been hoping she wouldn't go there. News about his bet with Nori had spread around the lot like wildfire, to the point where everyone from Mr. Plotz to stagehands to the folks in craft service had betting pools of their own going – all betting on whether or not he could control his mouth. He gave her a terse nod and a glare, to which Heloise said simply, "Do you need a cigarette, Yakko?"

Yakko frowned, confused. "Couple-a problems with that question. One, you're a nurse. You're supposed to get people to quit, not start. Two, I'm a kid, and I'm pretty sure you ain't gonna want old man Thad booting you out for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Three, I'm smokin', but not like that."

Heloise chuckled. "I'm kidding. I thought you of all people would get the joke."

Just like that, the joke clicked into place, and Yakko slapped a hand to his forehead. "Gah. I'm losin' it."

"A lot of boys do, when they really like a girl. And you must really like this girl a lot to keep your mouth shut until New Year's Eve."

Yakko gave Heloise a reluctant grin. "That obvious, huh?"

"You've got the look of a man who's been marooned on a desert island with Cindy Crawford," Heloise replied, shooting him a knowing gaze. "And no life raft in sight."

Yakko stared at her for a moment before releasing an ink-deep sigh. There was a darn good reason why Heloise was always at Mr. Plotz's right hand. She was the best judge of character at Warner Bros. (except perhaps Slappy), and she could read a room like most could read a book. And boy, had she read him cover to cover just now. "Marooned, heck. I feel like I'm drowning."

"In frustration or love?"

"Both, if that's even possible."

"Very much so." Heloise patted the empty spot on the bench and waited for him to sit down before speaking again. "May I ask you a question?"

Yakko chuckled. "Why not? You already saw me go Chernobyl."

"What is it about Nori that has you so head-over-heels for her? You've chased and flirted with a lot of women before, but I've never seen you so set on one girl like this."

Yakko smiled, unable to fight the sweet sigh that escaped him. "Where do I start?"

"Well, obviously, she's beautiful."

"Yeah, but it's not just that, although it's a plus, I ain't gonna lie. She's smart; she's got a tongue sharp as a tack. She knows how to challenge me, which I love. It really helps me step up my wit. She's fun. There's nothing fake about her at all. And she loves my sibs to pieces. It's not just her face that's beautiful; it's her heart." Yakko dared to sneak a peek at Heloise. "You think I'm a sap, don't you?"

"Not at all. As a matter of fact, I think you're sincere. You could've talked about superficial beauty and I'd have thought you just wanted to kiss her and move on to the next plaything. Instead, you talked about what you saw inside her." Heloise's smile was warm. "If that's not proof that something's changed in you, I don't know what is."

Yakko could only stare at Heloise in astonishment. She believed him. He'd thought for sure she would laugh in his face and say something along the lines of karma's a witch. Then again, this was Heloise. She was generous beyond measure and tough when she had to be, but she was also forgiving. "You really think so?"

"Yes. Yakko, you're a good kid. You're stubborn, smart-mouthed, and a complete pain in the butt sometimes, but I've seen your other side: the side that cares for others and is capable of the fiercest love. I'm just wondering why you have to cover it up with all this bravado."

"Truth?" When Heloise nodded, Yakko winced. They'd already gotten a little too close for comfort with his feelings for Nori; he really didn't want to dig any deeper. Not yet, anyway. "Can't I take a dare instead?" He shook his head. "Don't answer that. I'm askin' the wrong person."

"Wise decision," Heloise chortled. "Tell you what. I'll save the shrinking for Dr. Scratchansniff. For now, I just have one more question. Do you mind?"

"Fire away."

"Do you want me to talk to Nori?"

Yakko's stomach flipped. "About what?"

"Something tells me she's been getting back at you for all the flirting you've done. That would explain why you blew up like Vesuvius."

"And have her think I'm a snitch? No way!"

"Cool your jets, Yakko. I won't come right out and ask her. I'll work my way up to it." Heloise smiled. "Diplomacy is my specialty."

At last, Yakko smiled. "All right, go for it. Since we're talking tact, Mr. Plotz could learn a few tricks from you."

"He's an old dog, unfortunately." Heloise tucked her fingers under Yakko's chin and raised his face to meet hers. "Are you okay now?"

"Yeah." Oddly enough, Yakko meant it. "Thanks for hearing me out and… for being a good sport, ya know?"

"No problem. Now go out there and have fun playing pranks with your siblings." Heloise stood and Yakko followed suit. "Do me a favor, will you?"

"Name it."

"Egg Walter Wolf for me. I had to give him his physical recently, and he got fresh with me."

Yakko grinned in spite of himself. "Got a little wolfish, did he? Consider it done."

Heloise's blue eyes sparkled. "Slappy will be pleased. She's probably gearing up for some mischief of her own."

"Nah, if I know Slappy, she's got her butt parked in front of the TV, watching scary movies with Skippy," Yakko said as he and Heloise left the gym. "She ain't been up to no good on Mischief Night in years."