07-WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE!

WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE! I couldn't take the stress anymore. Things were moving fast. TOO FAST. Faster than a hamster on a treadmill. Faster than being chased by a cat. Faster than New Mouse City's annual rat race! I FAINTED. Mousella took a piece of blue cheese and waved it under my nose. The strong smell woke me up. I could hear my staff members muttering. "Who is this mysterious rat?" "Why does he want to ruin The Rodent's Gazette?" I came to my senses.

What kind of a mouse was I? My staff needed me. I had to be strong. "QUIET!" I shouted. Everyone stared at me. "It's true. We are in big trouble," I said. "But that just means we have to be strong. We have to stay calm. There is a solution for every problem. We will get through this!" Everyone cheered. Then DUSTY DUST WELL, the cleaning lady, spoke up. "Great speech, Mr. Stilton. So what do we do now?" I smoothed my fur. I wiggled my ears. I cleared my throat. I opened my mouth to speak... and burst into tears!

"I don't knooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!!! I wailed. I fell to the floor, crying. Through my sobs, I could hear the other mice talking about me. "Poor Mr. Stilton!"

"After all he has DONE for the company." "What will Cheap Mouse Willy have to say about this?" "I am sure he will do something TERRIBLE to Geronimo!" "This is worse than a hunk of Swiss cheese with no holes!" "Worse than being caught in a rattrap!" "Worse than a cheeseburger with no cheese!" "Slimy Swiss rolls, I'm glad I'm not in Mr. Stilton's fur right now!"