203.21.7.85 writes:

At first the screen was very hazy like a fog rolling in at the break of day from the coast, when it began to clear, all you could see was green, beautiful green trees, rolling green hills, the sensation was like that of a bird flying impatiently trying to find something, because every now and then the view would become stationery and then it would pan along the horizon from north to south, then continue on its way at a great speed. Finally the view came to rest on a small creek with weeping tea trees dipping enticingly into the water. In the distance you could make out the sound of voices
and the view seemed to follow the sound as if it was now getting closer to what it was searching for. In the centre of a group of eucalyptus trees
stood hundreds of ladies of all ages and cultures
talking to one another, suddenly they were startled by something unseen, as if a presence that they had known for a long time was amongst them. A calm settled over the group of ladies as one by one they began to turn into magnificent birds of the Australian bush.
There were brolgas, jabirus, kookaburras, lorikeets, lyarbirds, bowerbirds, kingfishers, willywagtails, cockatiels, curlews, bustards, rosellas, galahs, cocatoos, honeyeaters, dollarbirds, bee-eaters, finches, fairy-wrens, and hundreds of others and they were all singing at once. The noise was deafening until a very handsome crow(e) started walking into the middle of the circle that had formed around him, at that moment every feathered friend was silent and you could hear a gum leaf fall to the ground.
The wise crow(e) started to tell them a story as he was a great storyteller, everyone stood around in raptures listening to him weave a story that left them all spellbound. He then told them that he had to leave, which left a feeling in the air of utter desolation, he said that he would take one of them with him and then he reached out his silken wing and made his choice.
The screen then went blank and RC stretched out in the armchair with his hand holding onto the one he had chosen. He gazed into her eyes and then stood up and started to lead her down a long narrow corridor that had light at the end of it, his wicked smile made her go weak at the knees. They reached a door and she opened it to find............


cj

 

 

Austin anyone ?.... The next installment
Wednesday, 17-May-2000 05:33:45

203.30.39.63 writes:

We last left our hero with the one he had chosen,
walking down a long corridor. The chosen one was weak at the knees from RC's wicked smile. They reached a door and she opened it to find....



..... that they had been transported to a club in Austin Texas. The stage was lit with a blue glow and the three other TOFOG members were on the stage warming up. RC led the chosen one to a table that was in front of the stage and asked her what her favourite song was, because that was what they were going to play for her first.
She could not believe that this was happening, because she was the only other person in the club. Imagine a private gig from TOFOG.
She answered that her favourite song was 'Whats
Her Name' ( because we all want to know that )
The band played for two hours and she got to hear all the new songs ( before anyone else ) and lots of the old favs as well. When the session was over Billy, Dave and Garth told RC and the chosen one that they were going to toss back a few ales at the bar across the street and that they were welcome to join them but RC had other plans in mind.
He had a limo waiting outside to wisk them away to the Plaza. Once they arrived they were shown to the penthouse suite which had a magnificent panaromic view of Austins skyline. The windows were from floor to ceiling. RC opened a bottle of wine so that it could breathe while they were waiting for dinner to be served. After a scrumptuous meal they retired to the lounge area where RC opened a bottle of champagne, poured out two glasses and placed them on the side of the spa bath that was in front of the windows. He got undressed and invited the chosen one to join him in the effervescent water of the warm fragrant spa.
He then asked her a question that made her stop breathing. Her heart was beating so fast that she knew she could not answer him... she just
showed him her answer instead........

cj

 

Island Paradise ... Next installment G rating - roolly sorry!
Thursday, 18-May-2000 00:47:21

203.30.39.125 writes:

We last left our Hero drowning in a sea of love........

When RC came up out of the water for air, he found himself in an entirely different place.
He was in one of the largest swimming pools he had ever seen. He could hear laughter and splashing but could see no one.
Grinning to himself he remembered the time that he had spent with the chosen one and wondered what had become of her. He felt something brush past his leg, but when he glanced into the water he could only see a shadow swimming away at a great pace. He took a long look around and realised that he was somewhere that was very tropical as the air and water temperature were quite warm and the foliage consisted of nothing but different types of palm trees. From what he could see and hear in the distance, he knew that the sea wasn't too far away.
He swam leisurely over to the side of the pool and heaved himself from the water.
Shaking the water from his face and hair he decided to go for a wander and see if there was anyone about that could answer his questions.
There were fifteen thatched roof bungalows spread out along the length of the most beautiful beach that RC had ever seen. It had white sand that was so fine that it coated his feet and made them shimmer. The ocean was crystal clear and the colour of deep aquamarine.
At the other end of the beach, he could see a few people that were taking wind surfers out. There was also a boat that was preparing to take out a parasailor as the parachute kept inflating in the breeze. There also a few people on the water zooming around on jetskis. By the time RC jogged to that end of the beach the parasailor was already in the air and there was no one left within hailing distance. RC decided to walk to the end of a long jetty that jutted out about 500m from the shore. The further he walked towards the end of the jetty the less he could see because the sun was sinking lower in the sky.
RC started to limp, without knowing why he reached down and touched the place on his leg that had been brushed by the shadow in the pool, when he lifted his fingers there was blood on them. Startled, he looked and saw a nasty gash that had something sticking out of it.
He pulled it out and saw what looked like a sharp shell.
Further along the jetty was a towell, so he wrapped his leg up, to try and stop the flow of blood. He couldn't figure why it hadn't hurt when it happened back in the pool. He felt a bit woozy, but didn't think that it was because he had lost a little blood. It felt like he had been drugged. He sat down on the edge of the jetty to try and clear his head, when he saw something in the water. The sinking sun was glinting on the water and he had trouble making out what it was. It seemed to be frolicking and cavorting around in the water. Going under then coming back up again and just playing and giggling and laughing, as if there was nothing else to do but play, on this balmy twilight evening. He was about to call out to the girl when he realised that she was not a girl at all but a mermaid, with that thought our hero fell into the water unconscious.........


cj

 

Very Fishy..... Next Installment
Thursday, 18-May-2000 06:14:43

203.30.39.67 writes:

Our hero was unconscious and falling headlong into the water. The mermaid swam quickly to RC as she hadn't expected the drug to take effect as fast as it had. She could remember her Mother
telling her before she died, that the drug would take the quickest on the one who could save their species. She had tried it on plenty of others but this one was the most promising. It was only ten metres to the ocean floor and RC was sinking like a stone. The mermaid softened the impact of the plunge by placing a large sea sponge beneath the unconscious RC. She knew she had to keep a very close eye on him as he would panic when he woke up. Most humans did, and some she could save and some she could not, but she had found no one that could help save her race.
The signs of RC awakening were starting to show and she got very close to him. She watched and waited with great pleasure, as this one was very ruggedly handsome and he sent shivers up and down her spine as she thought about what she needed from him.
His hands began to twitch and then his feet, RC then sat bolt upright with a look of disbelief on his face. He started to fight the sensation that was engulfing him and when the look of utter panic reached his eyes, the mermaid kissed him full on the mouth to shock him out of his panic. This time it seemed to work, because his flailing arms became calm as he realised that the drug had made it possible for him to breathe underwater. He began to enjoy the kiss and encircled the sea creature within his arms. She pulled away......

(Silly, silly mermaid)

..........and led him along the floor of the ocean showing him a vast array of colourful coral
and sealife. They met a great variety of sea dwellers that were all very friendly and inquisitive to see who was with the mermaid. The dolphins were the best, and RC could have stayed and played with them for hours, they were such beautiful creatues with a natural intelligence.
The mermaid led our hero further into the ocean depths until they came to a reef that had a series of caves between the layers of the reef. Drawing him into a cave she showed him the history of her race and how it had dwindled to just herself, she showed him the picture of all the little merbabies and RC got the message loud and clear. He lifted the mermaid into his arms and carried her off to the furthest reaches of the cave.
All RC wanted now, was to get to the surface quickly so that he could have a smoke. The mermaid stood before him and placed something under his tongue, and the next thing RC remembered was that of the sun on his face, he was...............

cj

 

Uluru - The heart of Aussieland
Friday, 19-May-2000 04:41:50

203.21.7.182 writes:

RC could feel the sun on his face, it was hot, burning hot, but there was also a strong dry wind blowing that cooled his perspiring brow. He opened his eyes to find himself a very long way up from the ground. He could see for kilometres and the view was a 360 degree panoramic spectacle
of the Australian desert. He was standing on solid rock that was coloured brilliant ochre. The indigenous people of the area had named it Uluru. The immensity of it was breathtaking, RC decided to soak up the atmoshere as it had a calming effect on him, he sat on the rock for a full hour contemplating life, then walked over and signed the visitors book. He read all distances to the various cities around Australia, then decided to descend to the bottom. He knew he had to be careful as the winds could get gusty and blow you off the face of the rock. There had been a couple of deaths from that very thing happening, so RC felt a little easier when he reached the chain. Now it was all downhill - straight downhill in fact, the people at the bottom of the rock looked like ants as they threaded their way upwards towards the top of the monolith. After 20 minutes RC could finally see his Harley in the carpark. When he finally reached it, he put on his helmet and rumbled off to get a picture of the rock 5 kilometres away. He pulled into a parking area that was set aside for photographers. RC said g'day to the other tourists taking photos as well. As a cloud passed overhead the rock changed from an ochre colour to a luminous purple and our hero got a great photo. RC then began his journey north and relaxed as he got onto the open road. There was no speed limit on the road, so he could really open her up. The wind was flapping crazily all around him and the feeling was one of exhilaration. About 3 hours from Alice Springs he saw someone hitching, there were no cars or road trains of any description to be seen, so he decided to stop and offer the person a lift. He was surprised to find such a beautiful woman stranded out here in the wilderness. She told him of a truckie who had demanded payment for her ride with something she was not willing to pay, so he dumped her. Being the galant gentleman that RC was, he offered her a ride as far as Alice Springs. She hopped on the bike behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest as he got up to speed she knew that she had to nuzzle closer to RC's body because the wind was whipping her hair into her face, she closed her eyes and stayed that way for two hours until RC pulled off the highway into a rest area with a BarBQ. He boiled the billy for a cuppa, then laid his swag under a Melalucca tree to rest for for a couple of hours as the sun was at its hottest, they spent a couple of hours talking about the travels and sights they had seen around Australia.
Continuing on their way, they arrived in Alice Springs as a thunderstorm was gathering over the
MacDonald Ranges. The ferocity of the lightning streaking across the sky without striking the ground was like a lazer show only with the power of nature, to make it amazing. RC and the hitchiker dashed for cover into a caravan park and paid for a site in an overnight van as it would have been too dangerous to continue on the bike. After some tucker they decided to have a game of backgammon as there was only two old movies on the tele. (One about a cop, the other was a western)
They both won a game each, and their skill level was pretty even. RC decided to make it interesting and have a little wager on the outcome of the next game. This game was very competitive with lots of swearing, cursing, yelling and cheating, but it was all in jest and RC won. He decided to claim his winnings before she doubled or nothing the stakes, she did not like his attitude and was not impressed, she changed her mind quickly, after he pulled her into her arms and kissed her gently and persuasively. They spent the night in each others arms, she awoke well before dawn, kissed our hero on the forehead and left him sleeping peacefully............

cj

 

 

Retreat to the bush - Next Installment
Sunday, 21-May-2000 04:58:57

203.21.7.80 writes:

Our hero was left sleeping peacefully.....

He woke up and realised that he had been dreaming, all types of dreams that seemed so bizarre. RC decided that he really needed to get away for awhile, he had a quick shower and a cuppa and stowed some essential items into his backpack, he wrote a quick note to his family telling them that he was going bush for a few days. RC whistled to his dogs and set off on foot to his bush retreat where he could relax and be in touch with nature once again. The track he took wandered along beside a creek with
fiddlewoods and eucalypts that swayed with the gentle breeze. Before he reached his campsite RC had to cross the creek many times, hopping from rock to boulder to rock to gain access to the other side. The dogs were old hands at rock hopping and kept coming back to see if their master was following them, often tripping one another up in their excitement. There were pan-sized siver perch darting around everywhere in the creek, and RC decided that they would taste pretty good for their dinner. He took out a knife and made a spear from a nearby tree branch.
He made the dogs stay on the track while he went back to sit on a rock and take aim for dinner. When he hurled the spear into the water, both dogs lunged into the water from the track after it, and RC fell into the water from all the commotion. Laughing his way back to the track, RC decided that he didn't really feel like fish for tea anyway. They still had another hour to walk before they reached the campsite so RC picked up the pace a bit, so that they could arrive before it got too hot. The creek finally petered out and their journey was almost finished as the source of the creek up ahead was shown to its full advantage in the dappled sunlight. It was a beautiful sight with crops of Australian wildflowers on one side and lush vegetation on the other, the water was crystal clear and bubbled up out of a rock cave that was close to the surface of the water. It looked like a small pool but went underground again and started as the creek that our hero had just crossed.
RC's campsite was situated a little to the side of the pool with an open fireplace that he used for cooking. There was a sunshade for the hottest part of the day and a hammock that was strung between two shady trees. RC sensed that something was not quite right, he noticed that some of his things had been moved around and there were someones belongings resting on the stump of a long dead tree.
RC went to the pool to find the owner of the belongings only to be confronted with.........


cj

 

 

Tourist Invasion - Next installment
Monday, 22-May-2000 05:13:50

203.30.39.72 writes:

RC was confronted with......


A sight that nearly made him turn around and go back home, a 4WD tourist bus, parked and set up on the other side of the pool. He knew that his trek into the bush for solitude was well and truly over. His dogs were a hit with the tourists as they were very friendly and most of them enjoyed the company of animals. There were tents going up everywhere along the side of the pool and RC walked over to see how long they were going to stay for. They were staying for at least a week, so RC decided to stay overnight at least. He set to work doing all the things that needed to be done when he arrived at the campsite. Things like chopping wood, carting water, clearing brush for fire safety, collecting stuff that he needed from his hoard (this was actually just a hole in the ground with a cover on top). When he was finished he needed to go for a swim in the pool as he was all hot and sweaty. He stripped down to his shorts and dove into the pool from the rock cave at the back. There were a few of the tourists cooling off in the water as well. RC asked one of them where they were from because he could hear different accents from the conversations that were going on around him.
Apparently they were a tour group from all over the world, organised by two Aussie ladies, one from Qld and the other from Adelaide, (sorry couln't resist this) who had a group of friends that had wanted to visit a certain part of Australia for so long, that they just decided to do it, and here they were. RC went back to his campsite and did some reading while the tourists finished setting up their campsite. One of the ladies tried to sneak in and pick up her belongings that she had left on the stump without disturbing him, but the dogs started barking at her, which bought a stern word from RC as he rolled out of his hammock. She froze as she was afraid of dogs, and RC told her to hold out her hand to them below their mouth level so that they would know she meant him or them no harm. She apologised for disturbing his peace and collected her stuff. He invited her to join him for a cuppa and a chat after dinner and said that the invitation was for all of them, if they wanted to join him. She accepted and told him that she would pass on the invitation to the others.
RC then set about catching dinner, he rigged up a cherabin (freshwater prawn) pot and lowered it into the side of the pool. He checked it every fifteen minutes to see if the bait had worked. After an hour he had collected over fifty cherabin, more than enough for his and the dogs dinner. He got a fire going and put a BarBQ plate into place, once the plate was sizzingly hot he added the prepared cherabin and a hot spicy sauce for them to cook in. The aroma from his cooking drove the tourists out of their campsite and into his. He removed enough of the food for himself and the dogs and told the ladies to help themselves to a taste. He then boiled the billy and showed them how to make real billy tea, gumleaf and all. They all enjoyed it and helped with the cleaning up. RC then built the fire high and they sat around it swapping stories with one another, until someone spotted RC's guitar and asked if he would play for them. He agreed to, only if they could turn it into a sing along. With all the different nationalities present, RC was surprised to find that they all knew the same songs, and that they could sing together. The fire was slowly dying and the glow from the sky was overtaking the glow from the fire. None of the tourists had ever seen stars like the ones that were out that night, it seemed like a special show was being displayed just for them.
They decided that it was time to retire for the night and they all drifted towards their tents, RC climbed onto his hammock and got comfortable. After a couple of hours of tossing and turning RC decided to take a midnight swim as everything seemed quiet at the other campsite and he didn't want to disturb anyone. He waded into the water without splashing and was enveloped in a cool cocoon of spring water. It was refreshing after the evening festivities, that he wasn't expecting when he first arrived. There was very quiet splashing to one side of the pool as if somone was trying to get out without making a noise - unsuccessfully. He whispered to the person to show themselves and he found out that it was the lady that made his dogs bark this afternoon. She told RC that she had been restless and unable to sleep, so had come for a dip to see if it would relax her. RC moved closer to her and asked if it had worked, when she replied in the negative,
he told her that this sometimes worked for him and he pulled her into his arms. Just as their lips met she disappeared under the water. RC still had hold of her arm and was being dragged along with her towards the rock cave at the back of the pool, our hero knew he couldn't hold his breath for much longer, so he decided to........

cj

Re: Re: FAIRY TALE 1….- Cont….5/31/00

Thursday, 01-Jun-2000 09:50:57

152.163.204.74 writes:

. . .Wake up from the clutches of this terrible dream.

He sat up and burped. "Damn it. I ate too much again." But he loved a good barbie - both the two legged kind and the kind you grill on - he couldn't remember which one he had recently feasted on. He expelled gas . . . the latter he concurred.

"Note to self," he said out loud to no one in particular . . . "call Lynn Redgrave. Get on weight watchers plan."

He looked around. Somehow he had ended up in a big, beautiful, fluffy bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, which had a 3925 thread count. "Guess 'Gladiator' did well . . ." is all he could come up with.

He had no memory of the film opening . . . and he hadn't a clue where he was now . . . The last thing he remembered was trying to feel up Wynnona Ryder at an Oscar's after party - ahhh well - he was drunk. Now if he could just remember where he dropped of his niece.

"So . . . you're up."

He tried to scream. But a belch came out instead. A woman in silhouette stood across the room. She was naked - and holding a giant enema bag.

"Jodie. Is that you?"

"Russell Crowe, where have you been?"

"You're guess is as good as mine luv."

"You get me to have Gladiator sex with you - I mean that bit while you wore the Helmet and I was chained to the wall was exciting and I liked it - but I only do that with people I find extra special. And usually they are chicks. I give you a lead in

 

my new flick. And then I don't hear from you again for months!!!! Have you seen THE ENQUIRER? Someone took photos of us together!

He blanched. "Before or after you donned the strap on?"

"No! Not that! Worse than that! Ones of us walking hand in hand. Kissing and cooing. That kind of crap. My rep as a big liberal lesbian is on the f****ing rocks! My phone hasn't run in weeks.

He had no idea what to say.

"Then news of you pawing Wynnona at the Oscars came out. I mean - god Russ. Its a disgrace. She doesn't even have breasts."

"Huh, maybe that's why it took so long."

"And Matt Damon had to come to her rescue. I mean Matt Damon."

"He didn't hit me did he?"

"Are you kidding, he was too busy fondling Ben Affleck!"

"Then I heard something about you and a car load full of women after the Gladiator premier. Some woman Filly called to tell me that. Then I couldn't find you. You didn't return any of my calls. Why did you do that? You know I have abandonment issues. She began to cry.

He walked across the room - loin cloth swinging so far to the right it exposed his thunderous staff. But who cared. It was clear she ached just like a wom - a ma - a wo-man - but right now she was breaking - just like a little girl.

"Note to self. Set music to that last bit for concert in Austin."

It was clear she as upset about not accepting his invite to the Oscars.

"And that's not all, Russell. That's not nearly all . . ."

"Listen Pet. That bit about me and Meg Ryan skinny dipping in the man made lagoon was a publicity stunt. I mean, yes we were nude. And Yes, they did find me and her in a compromising position and THE STAR will be carrying those photos next week, but it was only to squelch the gay rumor thing." He stopped and chose his words carefully . . . "Not that, there's anything wrong with being gay. Some of my best friends . . ."

"I don't care about Meg Ryan!" She screamed. "It is not Meg Ryan I am freaked out about. It is something far more insidious far more heinous. far more ugly than anything you could ever do during one of your disgusting black outs.

Now he was truly scared. He was sure she found out about the real reason behind Oliver Reed's heart attack.

"What is it!" He cried. "Stop torturing me. And just tell me!"

"Newbies." Is all she said. And collapsing into his arms she wept bitter, frightened tears.

Dread swept over them then. Not because he knew what she was talking about, but due to the weird soundtrack that accompanied what she said. He repeated the word dumbly. "Newbies." There it was again. The sting. A deep, dark, despairing, and frightening soundtrack that sounded like something from a really scary movie.

"They are everywhere. In the stores. In the theaters. ON that message board that you and I often visit."

He smiled.

"How is the message board? And how is that hilarious guy Devin. He sure writes like male well hung. I like him, almost as much as I like some of the women. Fickle as they are. I hate how they laugh at his jokes then turn on him when one of the girls gets offended. Ahhh well - so like a woman. Anyway I think I'm m going to ask him to write a hilarious comedy for me and Meg. I mean, me and you, cuddle bird."

"Russell. Try to focus. I was taking a shower today, after having one of my more debauch sessions with my girlfriend and the nanny and her twelve sisters in our hottub outback when all of a sudden from the steam of my shower ... a . . . a. . ."

She was quaking in fear and near hysteria. He held her tight and murmured. "Go on love. I am here. Nothing to be afraid of."

"A happy face appeared with a little Winnie the Pooh attached to it. And little Russell Dolls dancing behind them to the tune of DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY - and the happy face said to me. It said to me . . . "have a nice day," and then it hugged me. But not before it babbled incoherently about a dragon - and fairies - I guess it was talking about the next John Travolta movie. I don't know. but it was horrible, really, really horrible."

A cold nausea swept through him, he choked back bile in his throat, and held her tighter still. And the feelings that filled the room were worse than anything he had ever had, ever felt before. He could take the gay rumors, and the Jodie talk and even the stuff about him being a big drunk. But this. This was different. This was evil.

Devin

 

 

Re: FAIRY TALE 1….Cont….5/31/00

Wednesday, 31-May-2000 19:03:41

152.163.194.194 writes:

He woke up scared and frightened. Had he dreamt that bit with Jodie and the enema bag? And What about the flatulence and belching? Was that also a dream? What about the strap on that Jodie donned, or was that Oliver Reed who wore a strap on? - And how about the reports of an affair with Jodie, and of him being gay, and of him doing Meg, and of him feeling up Wynnona? And where did he leave his niece? He didn't know. And right now he didn't care, because he was feeling hungry. He had such a craving for a good sour pickle. And he wanted to wash it down with a Haagen Daz chocolate shake!

But then he was seized with fear.

Fear that Jodie would tell everyone how there was a baby - a baby fathered by him - and she the mum - but . . . she wasn't pregnant.

He looked down at his soft waddle of flesh that surrounded his powerful gladiator girth and said . . .

"Blimey! Am I preggers?" He really didn't know what the hell was going on . . . but he did feel a little bloated and crampy . . . So he picked up the phone and dialed . . . he wanted to talk to the one person who could set him straight. He dialed and listened as the phone began to ring . . .

"Hello?" a sweet voice answered.

"Hello? Nicole? Listen its me, Russ."

"Oh hello Russ - - - how are you dahling. Tom can't come to the phone right now. He's getting a sweet oil rubdown by the gardener. Oops I wasn't supposed to say that. He is really out shopping for groceries. When are we going to have a go at it again?

"Listen love, the bone is for the dog. Meat is for the man. I need a woman with a little bit of a figure, you know. I told you, gain some weight. Then we can talk. Now listen. I've got a problem. And I need your help."

"Anything my gladiator man."

"I think I'm preggers."

"Who's the mother?"

"I guess its Jodie." he whimpered

"You beast! Wait till Meg gets wind up this . . ." and she slammed down the phone

And with that she slammed down the phone. He was just about to call her back so he could taunt her bout how Tom had begged him to come over in full Gladiator gear, "So we can wrestle nude like Roman warriors often did, Russ. It's for your research. You want to be great at what you do. You can't just be reading books. Besides they don't have the phonetic version of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire," but a wave of nausea washed over him.

"Ewww I feel funny," is all he could say - and the next thing he knew, he vomited.

Devin

He awoke very happy that actually he had not vomitted...
Tuesday, 20-Jun-2000 01:22:30
167.160.201.94 writes:

but he immediately remembered waking up already. Would he wake up a third time? How far down can a dream go? He looked around but could see nothing.  His eyes were feeble as if he had just stepped into darkness from a bright light....

"Hold on.." he thought. "My eyes have been closed, how can....?" He groped around in the darkness and felt hard ground under a loose sandy surface. The darkness became less thick, a dim greyness was seeping in from above him. He heard something. A low growl? No... not quite. Snoring, definitely snoring.

The sound came from a lumpish shape a few feet away from him. He reached out and felt a warm fur... no, wait.

"That's not real," he thought. The fur had a uniform stiffness to it... like carpet. Or plush. Yes, definitely plush. Like a stuffed animal. Only warm. And purring.

A bright fuscia light suddenly lit up the room, and there is was, a life-sized Tigger. It sat up and spun away from him towards the light.

Prince Russ was frozen in confusion. This was definitely wierder than the part about Tom wanting to play Gladiator. He could hear a rumble, wheels on rails... a train?

Behind the blinding light the noise grew louder, then he could make out giggles and chatter, children's voices, a squeal...

The little train came out of the darkness and slowed in front of the Tigger in Hibernation display. Russ heard a static-infested voices reciting the winter habits of the Tigger. The children giggled until they saw Russ. Living silence fell, but the static recording droned on... "will sleep for months without eating or drinking. But even in his dreams, the Tigger is bouncing happy..."

The train rolled on, the passenger's faces dumb with confusion. As the last car retreated into the darkness, Russ leapt to his feet:

"Wait! Wait, don't leave me here!" he called out. But his voice was drowned out by the recording ahead:

"The wise owl does not go to sleep for the winter...."

petshark