"Alright," Toughy spoke in a soft tone, watching with a scowl when he was ignored. "Alright," he repeated in a slightly louder tone, marching up when he was ignored yet again. "Alright!" he shouted at last, staring on in exasperation when the crowd of dogs continued to ignore him. "Alright," he said to himself, "I give u-"

"Oy!" Bull shouted between drops of saliva. "All you blubbering piles of dirt! This is your one and only chance to see the Peg the Phenomenal Phenom and if ya keep up the way ya doing now then you most assuredly will not be seeing Peg the Phenomenal Phenom," he paused to lap up some spit. "Now listen here, I want everyone in a straight and an orderly line at this very moment or we will be packing our bones and going home to bury them. Get to it! One, two! One, two!"

Toughy sighed in relief as they immediately obeyed. "Thanks," he said, leaning over to Bull.

"Any time mate. Major!" Bull called out behind him. "Is she ready yet? They ain't going to be satisfied for too long with words alone."

"She'll be out shortly," The Major assured before turning his attention back to Peg. "Now as I told you last night, it will be important to keep up regular appearances with your fans, while at the same time, keeping them just far enough that they will chase the bait but not bite the bait."

"Uh huh," Peg said, impatiently stepping in place. "Got all that Major. Can I go out now?"

"Just one last thing, if you recall, I-"

A particularly excited bark escaped the crowd, which caused the rest to release excited barks of their own. Peg was tempted to bark back in her own excitement, starting to step out from around the corner.

"Now hold on," The Major stepped in front of her in the nick of time. "Not yet."

"But Major," she whined, still attempting to step past him. "Listen to them. They want me and I want them."

"And that is exactly what the problem is," The Major insisted. "They want you, but you cannot in turn want them. That is a paradox that destroys the very fabric upon which you and your popularity is laced upon."

Peg looked at him incredulously, "Major, all I want to do is go out there and say hello."

"But how will you say hello?"

"Like I always do," she said, flashing him a sample of a smile. "I've been doing this basically my entire life. Have a little faith in me."

"I have all the faith in the world when you are in the room, but that does not change the fact that much like every risk you and I have ever taken, this one must be calculated as well," he said and then quickly noted the glint of boredom on her face. "Luckily for you, I have already run all the calculations and now you will just have to use the answers."

"If I do that, can we hurry things along here?"

The Major grinned in reassurance, "Naturally." He took a slow step around the corner, "The first dog with which I have arranged for you to meet is one that would do wonders for your publicity. Kromer, is what he goes by and it is of the utmost importance that you strike the right chord with him. Keep your language formal enough, but not so much that he considers you the snob type. He's got a wide range of hangouts around this town, has good relations with Otto and has an artistic appreciation of what you do. Perfect for business and easy networking in my mind."

"Networking..." Peg stewed on the word, "huh."

Miss Susie Johnson is crazy as can be

About that easy riding kid they call Jockey Lee

Now don't you think it's funny, only bets her money

In the race friend jockey's goin' to be

There was a race down at the track the other day

And Susie got an inside tip right away

She bet a "hundred to one" that her little "Hon"

Would bring home all the "mon"

When she found out "Jockey" was not there

"Peg," Kromer approached her shortly. "A pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," Peg answered with a short bow. "Sorry about all the noise," she said apologetically, gesturing to the excited buzz beyond where they were speaking.

"I don't mind," he shook his head dismissively. "That's all part of the job isn't it? This job of yours' which has opened so many doors and made so many things so clear. Why do you do it, huh? Why do you go up in front of all those people and all those dogs and make a show out of yourself? What do you get out of it?"

She raised a brow, "My, my, if I knew this was going to be an interrogation, I would have brought a leash."

"O-oh?" Kromer coughed, trying to hide the blush coming to his cheeks.

"Jokes you old hound," Peg said, shaking her own head with some laughter, "jokes. Why do I do what I do?" she repeated his question to herself. "I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I don't," she confirmed honestly. "Why do you think I do what I do?"

He stared at her, studying the inquisitive expression stuck to her face.

Peg, to him in particular, was not an unknown breed. Young upshots were a weekly, regular thing. A dog could find glory for a day or a night if they were truly lucky and then would have to accept that someone better and more fresh would show up to steal that glory. From all the ears he had to the ground, he knew that Peg was once one of those dogs. All apart of the system and algorithm. Then the news had come to him that this once seeming upshot whose career had become a joke of itself, was back to attracting massive crowds determined to follow her where ever she went. It was bizarre and only grew more so when her notoriously fustian advisor contacted him for a rare chance to converse.

It was obvious what they wanted, he was not stupid enough not to know that. Had this been any other dog, he would have immediately given her every spot or gig that she asked for. His hangouts were popular and brought all sorts of company over. She was popular and would bring all sorts of more company over. To most, himself included, it should have been a foregone conclusion.

But just how had she beaten the system?

"You love it," Kromer said at last and after he had thought enough. "You do it because you love it."

"That's a strong word that," Peg said with a low whistle. "Love."

"How so?"

"I loved my mother and my father, I love my mate, I love my friends and I love the air of the early morning and late night. It's nothing special to love, but that doesn't mean there aren't special things that I do love," she exhaled softly and inclined her head at the noise. "They love me, don't they?"

Deciding to change the subject, Kromer asked, "Do you consider yourself the best? Can't say that there's ever quite been a dog like you in this system before."

"There ain't no such thing as the best, but I've gotta say that if you really wanna know who deserves all the praise and attention in the world, just give a listen to Ma Fitz whenever she goes solo again, Joanna Rivera and-"

"Bruce Lenny?" Kromer cut her off with the suggestion, brow raised sharply.

"Seems you do know what you're talking about."

"Those three made themselves known at my hangout," he said, silently bragging. "You should stop by sometime, let some of the locals get to know a hotshot like you."

Peg flashed him a smile, "I might just take you up on that offer."

Miss Susie cried out in despair I Wonder where my easy rider's gone today

He never told me he was goin' away

If he was here he'd win the race

If not first he'd get a "place"

Cash in our winnings, on a "joy-ride" we'd go, right away

I'm losing my money that's why I am blue

To win a race, Lee knows just what to do

I'd put all my junk in pawn

To be on any horse that jockey's on

Oh' I wonder where my easy rider's gone E'er since Miss Susan Johnson lost her Jockey, Lee

Peg stared down at the patch of mud with a slight grimace.

Then she looked back up at the dog eagerly sitting and waiting in front of her.

His tail wagged when she dipped a paw in the mud and lifted it out, presenting his side for her to mark.

"I'm never going to wash this off!" he proclaimed happily, once the deed was done.

"You... you do that."

There has been much excitement, more to be

You can hear her moaning night and morn

She's wonderin where her Easy Rider's gone?

Cablegrams goes off inquiry

Telegrams come in of sympathy

Letters come from down in "Bam"

And everywhere that Uncle Sam

Has a rural free delivery

All day the phone rings, but it's not for me

At las' good tidings fill my heart with glee

This message came from Tennessee

"Alright one at a time," Peg assured as she dealt with the dogs surrounding her. "One at a time."

Bull and Toughy kept a solid barricade around her, but it was evident that they were overwhelmed in the midst of a crowd which seemed to grow larger by the minute.

"Peg!"

A crazed shout to her left caught their attention and Bull barely jumped forth in time to keep the frothing, agitated dog which had called out her name away from her. Toughy jumped in as well, rushing to keep as much distance as possible between them.

Miss Sue your Easy Rider struck this burg today

On a southboun' rattler side door Pullman car

Seen him here an' he was on the hog

Miss Sue your easy rider got to stay away

So he had to vamp it but the hike ain't far

He's gone where the Southern cross' the Yellow Dog


"It certainly took it's toll on my dear girl even when he was proved to only have been a very over excited fan. She insisted afterwards that everything was fine, really she did. But it took no expert to see the cautious and paranoid looks she would send out on any one of her public appearances. The bags which grew under her eyes and time she spent pacing in worry only fueled my suspicions. A pity then that I did not intervene earlier, that I allowed such a thing to plant a seed of doubt. Maybe not in her mind, but in the mind's of those she kept company with. And with that seed planted, I unknowingly gave it the water which it needed to grow..."


Getting past the precedes of dogs assigned to look his girl over was more of a hustle than The Major would have liked, but he could at least appreciate the security measures they had put in place to ensure that she would be safe.

From the way her usual entourage had described it, Peg had merely had a slight stumble on stage that had ended a show earlier than planned, but he didn't let that end his qualms or his fears. She was their sole source of income. Without her, they'd be left to the mercy of the hands which fed but did not give. And so he worried and so he fretted, calming only slightly when he had his own pair of eyes on her to confirm that she was safe.

"My dear girl," he pushed past the trio of Rick, Cliff and Randall. "How are you feeling on this warm, lovely day? Not too much of a headache I hope."

Peg clearly had enough strength to at least muster up a smile for him, "Oh I'm alright Major. Just a little tired is all."

"Not just a little tired," Ma Fitz spoke up from her perch at the head of the small hideout of pillows and blankets, where The Major had not previously noticed her. "That human doctor said you looked like the second most overworked mule he's ever seen. And in my own expertise, I'm inclined to agree with him."

"Oh, you know how doctor's are always exaggerating about everything Ma Fitz, the state of one's health especially" Peg countered. "It's a handy way to put more green in their pockets."

She seemed far from pleased by her answer, but didn't say anything as retort, "Well in any case, you best be getting plenty of rest. Doctor's orders."

The Major quickly nodded, "I must concur my girl, after all it's best to catch a problem at it's root before it has time to grow into a tree of much larger problems. I'll tell you this, rest up real good today because tomorrow it's three shows in a day, one of which will be in front of Otto himself, our dear benefactor."

"So you're okay with putting on three shows a day in the same town," Cliff spoke up before anyone else could, "but if someone even mentions the possibility of performing elsewhere, it's suddenly one of those problematic roots which spread and spread and make everything worse. Why is that Major?"

"Cliff, I've said it time and time again. Security in other towns, let alone states is-"

"Completely out of your paws. Yes I've heard it time and time again. We've all heard it out of your mouth by now, but none of us have ever really been fooled by it," he eyed the older dog skeptically, "something else is going on. Spill it."

The Major opened his mouth to defend himself, but Peg beat him to the punch, "Cliff! That there is no way to speak to The Major. Need I remind you that we're only in the generous occupation that we're in because of his efforts? Need I remind you that without him, we'd all be bottom feeders suffering on the streets?"

"You..." even though he clearly wanted to say more, Cliff merely pursed his lips, shook his head and left the room with a defeated sigh.

"He does have a point Major," Ma Fitz chimed in when Cliff had left and taken his negativity with him. "More shows in more places are more beneficial if you're playing the long game in this business. Besides," she turned to Peg, "wouldn't you want to do a bunch more shows in some unfamiliar territory, really get the chance to show 'em what you're made of and knock 'em dead?"

"Uhm," Peg seemed then to squirm under the room's collective gazes, reluctant to deliver an answer. "If it wouldn't be too much of a pain for The Major to organize then I'm sure I could try pulling it off."

"Well, if you really want, I could organize a few more dates here, around a few different places in town," he hummed thoughtfully. "A tour here specifically, place is definitely large enough for all that," The Major's improvisation seemed to turn to truth as he smiled. "Thirty shows in one month, while Cliff and Rick and your manager sort out all their security hi jinks out of town."

Randall finally piped up from where he had been seated, "That sounds like a win-win. You ask me, that's the best compromise there is."

"How is it any safer?" Rick asked.

"Because staying in town ensures that I can handle every aspect of security or more specifically, Otto and myself will be able to handle every matter of security."

"And then we head to a few different states?"

"Texas, Arizona, wherever you want, but in the meanwhile we put on a good show!"

Peg winced as if something were wrong, but no one took notice.

"And what will we do Randall?"

"Have plenty of fun along the way."

"That's right. Stopping by. Winning hearts."

"I like that," Randall nodded in approval. "Stopping by. Winning hearts."

Suddenly Peg gasped and lurched over, her back rising uncomfortably high into the air as the collective attention of the whole room fell on her once again.

Rick groaned at the sight of vomit on the ground, "Can we get that boy Jerry in here to clean up this mess? And someone go grab the doctor please."

"And then we stop and win hearts!" Randall repeated among the stench.


"We did exactly that. Stop by. And win hearts. More hearts than ever before. I got guarantees and the trustworthy word of Otto for every performance. Anytime she was around, the presence of security was doubled, nay, tripled. She had more dogs looking out for her than there ever were humans looking out for the president. Whenever a show ended, she was hustled away to safety. Nobody dared approach her or her entourage. Once she was tucked away and had no need to worry of any sort of ambush, myself and a few of her friends ensured that she rested well. We'd take an afternoon or so to prepare and then she would perform wherever demand was highest next. For thirty straight days! It was life in the show business, just like the good old days, before things fell apart. We made so much noise and such a resounding success that we did it again. And again. And again. May, June, July and August. All months to be written down and kept in the history books. Eventually, she lost interest in leaving town, why would she feel the need to when everything she could possibly want was exactly where she wanted them to be? But, always one to keep my promise, I invented a solution. Otto was just as powerful as his dear daddy, bless his soul, had been. And much of that power had to do with the friends and the company that he kept. They were vast, with influence and lines that stretched for miles on end. It was in casual conversation that I learnt of a few delegates that would soon be visiting. These delegates were from Texas, Arizona and a few other states, aka the places my girl intended on one day visiting. Things weren't perfect, my Master was still struggling with his own emotions, but once all that was sorted, I fully intended on allowing Peg to fully spread her wings. More so than she had already been doing. In the midst of it all, she kept the crowds coming and brought new life to the world..."


"How are you all doing tonight?"

The crowd erupted in a chorus of barks and howls when Peg took the stage, moving around with a flair while her band readied behind her.

"This here's our eighty sixth performance down here at the Crescent," she announced gladly. "Can ya'll believe that?"

At that, they erupted again, cheering her on with whistles of admiration.

"As much as I'd love to go through the usual hooting and hollering, I think you all came down here to see a show and that's exactly what you're getting here, so that's what you all are going to get," Peg said, allowing herself one more chance to bask in their praise before turning back to her band. "After the ball guys."

A little maiden climbed an old man's knee,

Begged for a story—"Do, Uncle, please.

Why are you single; why live alone?

Have you no babies; have you no home?"

"I had a sweetheart years, years ago;

Where she is now pet, you will soon know.

List' to my story, I'll tell it all,

I found her faithless, after the ball."

"Hey," Robert peeked his head around the corner of a curtain.

Peg turned, somewhat surprised by his presence, "Hey."

He stepped fully into view and sat down besides her, "You were great out there tonight."

"Thanks," she smiled, her eyes falling to the ground as the noise from behind her slowly began to shuffle out.

"So," Robert carried on, "I thought we could head out somewhere tonight."

"Why?" Peg half-scoffed and half-laughed, but made sure the question was genuine.

"Well we are mates and all, but..." he trailed off with a sigh, unsure of what to do in the awkward silence which followed. "See you around I guess."

"Yeah," she cleared her throat in the middle of the word, "see you around."

After the ball is over,

After the break of morn—

After the dancers' leaving;

After the stars are gone;

Many a heart is aching,

If you could read them all;

Many the hopes that have vanished,

After the ball.

"And with that, my time on stage comes to a close. But the laughter and joy we've shared tonight will linger on. Until next time, take care, and keep smiling, because life's a lot better with a punchline! Goodnight, everyone!"

"Great, ain't he?" Kromer leaned over to Peg to posit the question.

"Oh yeah," Peg answered. "Funny and a charmer too. It never did strike me that there were dogs that were into stand-up comedy."

"What can I say?" he shrugged. "This business is a lot bigger than you'd think it is. Oh, he's coming over now, I should introduce you tw- Tom!" Kromer cut himself off before he could finish. "I was just thinking about you, how could I not with the way you had the whole place in a riot. You've probably heard of Peg over here?"

Tom looked taken a back for a moment, "Do my eyes deceive me? A fine woman who also happens to be the hottest thing in town finds herself in a place like this?"

"Well, a place like this apparently has one thing I won't find anywhere else."

"And what might that be?" he asked, taking a heavy seat.

"A genuine chance to find a man who isn't in the fame I take with me."

They stared at each other with soft eyes long enough for Kromer to clear his throat, "Do you two need a moment?"

Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom,

Softly the music playing sweet tunes.

There came my sweetheart, my love, my own—

"I wish some water; leave me alone."

When I returned dear there stood a man,

Kissing my sweetheart as lovers can.

Down fell the glass dear, broken, that's all,

Just as my heart was after the ball.

"And it looks to be... a girl!" Ma Fitz happily announced as the puppy curled up tightly next to her mother. "Quite a pretty one too if I do say so myself. She has your looks."

Peg looked down at the soft ball of fur with a gentle and tired smile.

"Congratulations Peg, where's Robert?"

"Oh," she said, more aware of her surroundings than she had been before. "He's probably... out. Not like he knew it was happening today or anything."

Sensing her discomfort, she decided to change the subject, "What are you going to call her?"

"Well I feel very dizzy right now, so let's go with that... Dizzy."

"Dizzy it is."

After the ball is over,

After the break of morn—

After the dancers' leaving;

After the stars are gone;

Many a heart is aching,

If you could read them all;

Many the hopes that have vanished,

After the ball.

"I'm back, what's-" Peg stopped short of where Robert stood, eyeing the way which he hunched his shoulders. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," he answered, returning her gaze with one of his own, one focused on the unkempt fur on her back and the soft limp in her walk. "Is everything okay with you?"

"I'm fine," she said too quickly.

Robert only nodded, "Dizzy's with Cliff and Rick, I told them not to curse up a storm with her around."

Peg nodded back, "Right."

There they stood, in pride and shame, both genders acknowledging and accepting one another's sin.

Long years have passed child, I've never wed.

True to my lost love though she is dead.

She tried to tell me, tried to explain;

I would not listen, pleadings were vain.

One day a letter came from that man,

He was her brother—the letter ran.

That's why I'm lonely, no home at all;

I broke her heart dear, after the ball.

"Thank you, you've all been such an amazing audience!"

She basked in her glory, but prayed for it never to end.

After the ball is over,

After the break of morn—

After the dancers' leaving;

After the stars are gone;

Many a heart is aching,

If you could read them all;

Many the hopes that have vanished,

After the ball.