Dennis had walked back into the house and just sat down watching TV, on some sort of news channel. He look like he didn't really care about what he was watching, some kind of news channel. He looked like he was relaxing, after a day of getting drunk, and teaching a little girl how to ride a pony. He heard the little girl, and his tenant were in the kitchen, their spoons clanking against the sides of the bowls that were to hold their precious ice cream. He couldn't help but smile at these sounds for they seemed to be reminiscent of two girls who would always have ice cream before their dinner was made. He than pushed the sound out of his mind, and just turned up the volume on the TV: "The army has decided than the death of Barry Winchell was in fact a crime motivated by hate..." he was distracted by the ring of the doorbell, and ran over to the front door. He opened it, revealing some old guy wearing a derby hat over his balding head, black pants, and some black vest, while holding a cane and slouching.
"Can I help you," asked Dennis, his arm keeping the door open.
"I am George Dasurvur," said George, "Master Kell's butler."
"You're British," asked Dennis.
George nodded," yes I am from London."
"Wow," laughed Dennis," a British butler, I haven't seen one of those, Stan must do pretty well to have one of you guys."
"Indeed," exclaimed George," we are in fact the ultimate status symbol. An American man owning a British man. How exquisite, and not only a British man bring you something, you can even play dress up with him," he said, his eyes squinting. Dennis grimaced at him.
Dennis sighed," Sorry, I didn't mean to see you as a prize." He paused, rubbing the back of his head. "You want some coffee, or- you never mind, you guys must enjoy some tea."
Dennis shrugged," as much as I would enjoy some of your celebration of my culture," Dennis felt the sarcasm of his statement, "I must return Miss Polly to the house."
"Come inside anyways," Dennis beckoned, waving his hand in the direction. "Polly, George is here to bring you back to your dad's house." He allowed George to come into the house, letting the door close. He saw the kitchen door open, revealing, a little girl with her face covered in white cream, and a girl who looked like she relaxed after a long day. Dennis looked toward Mr. Dasurvur, who seemed to have less of a blank expression on his face, and grinned a little when he saw Lyra.
"Hi Mr. Dasurvur," said Lyra, her spirits
"Hello Ms. Hart," muttered George in a strangely dramatic tone, "It is only by the good grace that I should again encounter your presence twice in one day," he removed hit hat and bowed.
Lyra chuckled, "you're being a little dramatic Mr. Dasurvur."
"As I have said before," replied George, standing up almost straight and putting the the hat back on his head, "I was in acting, a little after the War, but then my agent told me Peter Sellers had a better shot than me."
"Than what happened," asked Dennis.
"I told him, he should be, cause I certainly have him in my sights," he chuckled, but resumed his usual grimace when he saw nobody else laugh. Dennis waited til he stopped to ask him the question.
"You two already know each other," asked Dennis, turning his head from George to Lyra.
"Yes," said George, "This girl was kind enough to help me unload the lorry."
"Well that was nice of you Lyra," he said putting his hand on her shoulder, "you did alright helping our neigh-," he paused, as did Lyra, who just stared at him. He noticed his hand on the college student's appendage, and slowly pulled it off, and turned away from each other, blushing.
"Well, I shouldn't stay hear longer, Miss Polly," George shrilled," it's time to go-," George's eyes widened, seeing as Polly was no longer in sight, the group looked around, before seeing the little girl, lying on the couch, half asleep.
"Miss Polly," he said, tapping her cheek with his bony finger. She woke up, with a quiet squeak sound.
"Hi George," said Polly, "Lets go. By Mr. Sadnik," she said waving her hand.
"So long my friend," he said waving back.
"Miss Hart," George turned his head around as he walked toward the door, holding Molly's hand, " There is a serious clog in the drain, if you could come over, that would be exquisite," he said grinning.
Lyra covered her mouth, "Very funny, George."
"But really Ms. Hart, Master Kell did enjoy your company, and was ashamed you couldn't stay longer, but our friends are our friends, I suppose." George turned his head around, and walked outside the front door, with Polly holding her hand. Dennis and Lyra stood out on the porch watching them leave.
"So you went to their..house," Dennis said, stuttering.
"Yeah, I wanted to meet our," Lyra paused ,"I mean your new neighbors. "
"Why didn't you stay longer," asked Dennis, causing Lyra's once renewed face to seethe. "Did Bonnie tell you too?"
Lyra looked annoyed ,"Yeah. I'm sorry she made me-,"
"Why are you apologizing to me, huh? I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. You're an adult, you are the one who decides whether or not to follow my advice or not, unless its affects my property."
"Yeah, your right, I'm sor-," Lyra started but remembered what he said," Right."
"I'm not gonna be always looking out for you like when you were-," Dennis paused, before deciding to recant on his original statement. "Just ask yourself what is it that you want for once," he than ran back inside the house, ready to have a nice cold one. Lyra just stood there, pondering what she told, but was broken by a familiar, and surprisingly annoying sounding voice.
"Lyra," said Bonnie, running onto the porch, "where were you? We need to finish our study," emphasis on the word study.
"Sure," mutterer Lyra, staring into space, not even acknowledging Bonnie.
"Well come on," Bonnie ordered, ignoring her frustrated friend, walking back into the house.
Lyra sighed than followed her in.
-
"So how was your play date with Mr. Sadnik and his little pony," asked Stanford, as he sat on the white couch in the yellow living room of the old farmhouse. Polly was currently fiddling around with her doll, trying to get into the dollhouse, which according to her, had been foreclosed because of collapsing property values, and sub prime loans .
"Fine," said Polly, in a lone tone.
"What do ya mean fine,"
"Just fine," in an even lower tone. She turned around and returned to her doll, when she felt a couple of strong, warm hands pull her up.
"What's wrong," asked Kell, putting her daughter on his lap.
"I don't know," said Polly, in small.
"I would like to know."
"I don't know," Polly rubbed her eyes," I got to ride a real pony, instead of that dumb plastic one. If felt really cool and she seemed nice.."
"And you are upset you can't have one of your own," Dennis leaned into her daughter's face, "because you see how fun it is?"
"Yes."
"Well, we are gonna be staying here for quite a while," said Stan, "once yo momma get's here. And you have Chester."
"But he's too big. And you said I couldn't ride him."
"When you're older you can."
"Can we please buy Crystal?"
"What?"
"Don't worry daddy," said Polly, smiling, "Mr. Sadnik is your friend, I'm sure we can get her cheap."
"That's not what I mean," Stan uttered, and he gently lifted Polly of her lap, and on to the couch, and gave her a good long stare. "Polly I need you to understand something. Mr. Sadnik is my friend, but a friend doesn't insult another friend, and trying to buy Crystal would be an insult."
"Why,"
"Well, Crystal isn't just a pony to Mr. Sadnik," he remembered what he heard, and struggled to find the word "he told me this pony was very special to him," he almost teared up, before trying to stay strong for her daughter, "it means a lot to him, and you don't just buy it from him, it's like family. Let me put it to you this way: would you ever sell me?"
"No."
"Would you sell George?"
"No."
"Mommy?"
"No."
"Ann?" Stanford saw Polly in thought. But the way she looked, like someone negotiating a deal. Her lips were tightly packed, and she had her index finger on her lips. She stood there for a minute. "Polly," said Stanford in an annoyed tone. "No."
"Okay, where there you go," said Stanford. "That's why I won't ask Mr. Sadnik to buy the horse, because you don't buy people's family."
"Okay," said Polly.
"Good," said Stanford, "Now I have to get back to my office, make some calls so you sit here and play."
"Okay," replied Polly, "I will. Daddy can I have a raise in my allowance."
"How much," asked Kell, as he bent down toward his daughter.
"10,000 dollars a week." Kell couldn't help but smile.
"Is it because you want to buy a pony of your own size?"
"Yes."
"How about 10,000 kisses a week," he said, kissing her daughter on the forehead." and room and board included."
"Okay," she said in a high voice.
"Good," he stood up and walked out of the room.
"Now," Polly returned to her dollhouse, and held up a boy and girl doll, "we must discuss the bankruptcy laws that are applicable for the sell off of this estate," the girl doll said. "I argue that my client should be allowed to dispose of the assets at the highest possible value in order to under Chapter 13, reorganize her financial structure."
"Miss Polly," said George, walking into the room with his cane.
"Yes George."
"I've decided to go to the state park tonight to go for a walk," said George, "I'd appreciate the fresh air. Your father, however just got a call. He is going to Albany for some business deals. We couldn't get a babysitter, so An will have to babysit."
"Ha," laughed Polly, "you are a riot George," she continued to chuckle.
"No Polly," said George ," she will babysit you tonight."
"But-,"
"Look, even I need to take a holiday sometime," said George, " and your sister said she would do it."
"But," Polly replied, stamping her feet, "every time she babysits, she makes me do the dishes and all the other chores"
"Yes," muttered George chuckling ," I can only imagine the torture."
"Polly," shouted an angry teenage voice.
"Good luck," said George, as he picked up his cane, and ran out of the living room. Polly stood there quietly, her face white with fear, and the only sound she heard were a pair of shoes that walked off the porch, and then a car peeling out, with a screech one only heard in a crime movie. Eventually, she felt the sound of some fancy high heels scraping the floor, and turned around to face the girl.
"Polly," said Ann with a smile that one could only find on a shark looking for its' prey," Dad and George are going out, so-,"
"Dishes," muttered Polly with a defeatist expression,"got it." She put down her dolls, and marched off to her torture. While most families had dishwashers, the Kells hated them since they didn't always keep the dishes clean, so she used the old "rag and washcloth" strategy in dish-washing, and thus a week of dish-washing was the worst punishment in the house.
-
After an hour, Polly had finally finished washing the dishes. She survived the smell of dish detergent and the constant exposure of her skin to hot water, and walked away with weary hands. She slowly pulled of the yellow gloves with a rubber snap, and throw them into the silver colored trashcan, and walked out of the kitchen. Normally she would take the time the open the fridge and have a soda, but she knew her supervisor was watching her every move. She just sat there, putting nail polish her hands, and putting her feet on the table.
"No Polly," said Ann in a high, annoying voice voice, "no juice and soda, it will fill you up, like Dad says."
"Dad also said not to put your feet on the table," Polly replied, annoyed at having her delicious beverage blocked.
"Is are you going to tell him, blabbermouth," Ann exclaimed, with emphasis on the last word , walking over to Polly with a stoic expression.
"No," shuddered Polly. She just stood there, awaiting her next labor from her older sister.
"I heard you talking to dad," said Ann ," you said you wanted Mr. Sadnik's pony." Polly, looked up at her sister stunned. Ann was normally very dismissive of Polly's interest. Normally, when Polly wanted to talk her about ponies, she would usually tell her to go away, or just throw a pillow at her.
"Well," Ann rubbed her foot against her right leg ," Daddy said it would be mean to buy his horse."
"Dad's just being cheap," said Ann. Polly looked up, "he doesn't want you to have the pony because he doesn't want to pay for it."
"What," Ann looked up, shocked at this idea. "But Dad-,"
"Daddy is just a businessman. It is his job of finding nice ways of saying no to people."
"But-,"
"Look, I'm your sister, so it is only nice that I tell you the truth," said Ann, a smirk on her face. "I don't think it's fair either. That horse is really nice, and it's clear that you like him-,"
"HER!"
"Her a lot. Mr. Sadnik is too big for a horse like that. He might one day crush her."
"What," gasped Polly in shock.
"I have an idea. George and Dad are gonna be out very late tonight right?"
"Yeah so?" Polly looked up as Ann's smirk grew into a clever grin.
-
9 p.m.
Things had quieted down in the Sadnik household. The lights were off and Dennis had gone upstairs to watch TV, although to his own family, it would mean "this will be the last you'll see of me, till morning." Meanwhile two girls stayed upstairs, working on some late night project, each sitting on a bed.
"Alright," said Bonnie, "The Tele-Crystal can work at certain.." she stopped and noticed that Lyra wasn't paying attention, just staring off into space.
"Lyra," said Bonnie ," I know you are upset about what happened, but you really have to.."
"You really need to stop.." replied Lyra, "you really need to stop bossing me around."
"Lyra I'm just trying to help you, I've been your friend for years..."
"Yes but..." she stopped, hearing some kind of scream coming in the distance, that only got more frantic as time went on. She leaped out of bed and came to the window to see what was causing the ruckus. Bonnie dropped the pink crystal she was holding onto and came to the window. She saw two figures, one less than have the height of the other, probably dressed in black, made only visible by the flashlight the small one was carrying. The taller one seemed to to be pulling something. It was braying and shouting and running around, and it stood on four legs.
"Oh my gosh," screamed Lyra ," Come one let's go get Mr. Sadnik-," Lyra turned and saw Bonnie no longer next to her." Lyra heard Bonnie, her running down the stairs.
"Bon-Bon wait,"
-
"Come on, you stupid horse," screamed the tall girl in black, trying to tug at the horse.
"It's a pony," screamed the short one ," and you're the one that's making him all scared. I think we should bring him back."
"It'll be fine," said the tall one ,"once she gets to know you, she'll be fine."
"But-," the short one was interrupted by the sound of grass. She turned around and saw with her flashlight a girl in a purple tank top and tan shorts run toward them, with a furious look on her face.
"Ann," said the younger one, "run."
The tall one looked up saw the same girl darting toward them. In a panic, she let go up the rope pulling the horse, who galloped off wildly in a panic. The little girl attempted to run only to get decked in the head by the rampaging girl. The tall one in black attempted to run, but could not outrun the angry girl in a tank top and was tackled. A girl in a white tank top with green stripes ran out of the room and saw the downed black figure, and saw her friend beating down on the black covered figure. Her attempts to control the situation were blocked by the sound of a panic pony running around in fright, a muzzle on her face.
"Come back," said Lyra, chasing after the panicked pony.
-
"Rabbit Season, Duck Season, Rabbit Season.." said the TV in Dennis' room. He laid in his bed under his sheets. in a white T-Shirt and orange shorts with a grin that could befit any four year old in a toy store.
BAM!
"Ha ha ha," laughed Dennis, "this never gets old." He picked up a mug from the top of his drawer and took a sip of coffee. The mug had "LOONEY TUNES". He put it down, but just after he heard a bang. He heard the commotion outside. He ran to the window and saw ruckus unimaginable: a pony running around the field, a short figure dressed in brown lying on the ground and a tall black one grappling with one of his tenants. The other was running around, chasing the pony. He bolted out of the room.
-
The black figure was pinned under Bonnie, while the short figure sat there shaking.
"You're not taking her away," shouted Bonnie, punching her in the head, holding the person down by the arms as she straddled her chest. She saw the figure wearing a mask.
"What the hell is going on," screamed a figure from the house. Bonnie turned around, and saw Dennis, a stoic, but still frightening look on his face.
"Mr. Sadnik," said Bonnie jumping off the figure, who was two ,"these two were trying too steal.."
"Shut it," said Dennis, his voice ice cold. He saw Lyra chasing after Crystal with an icy glare. He pulled out a special whistle and blew. Crystal immediately stopped, and trotted over to Dennis.
"It's okay, Crystal," Dennis cooed, his voice suddenly warm, petting his pony's face, and pulling the muzzle off her face. Lyra slowly walked over to the group, nervous.
Dennis walked over to the tall burglar, his teeth clenched. "Okay punk," he said, seething, "what makes you think you can take my pony," he pulled off the mask, revealing a teenage girl, her lip slightly bleeding.
"Ann," Dennis asked in disbelief. He walked over to the other figure dressed in black, and pulled off her mask, and saw a quivering little girl. "Polly?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Sadnik," cried the little girl.
Dennis looked up at Bonnie, his face in rage. Bonnie's face looked confused and apologetic. Lyra looked scared.
"Everyone," Dennis pointed to his house. "Inside."