06-LAST GASP AIRWAYS

LAST GASP AIRWAYS At last, I climbed on board the plane. I was a little concerned. I had never flown LGA (LAST Gasp Airways) before. The first thing I noticed was the seats. They looked old and worn. The windows were streaked with dirt. And there were dust balls in the aisle. I found my seat and sat down. It was hard as a rock. My tail was aching already. And what was that awful smell? I pulled a moldy cheese sandwich out from between the cushions. How FOUL. I was wedged between an elderly lady and a young mouselet. The elderly lady was very excited. She whispered she had never flown before.

"Don't worry." I told her. "Everything will be just fine." I'm AFRAID of flying, but I hoped she couldn't tell. The young mouse on my other side made faces at me. Then he stole the cream cheese candy the flight attendant had just offered me. "Bratfur! Give that candy back to the gentlemouse, now!" shouted his mother. He smirked, then took the candy out of his mouth. "Want it back?" he slobbered. I shook my snout in DISGUST. He scarfed it down. Then he stuck his tongue out at me. I felt a headache coming on. Relax, I told myself. You're on vacation. Don't let a little mouselet ruin your day. Seconds later, Bratfur began PESTERING me with questions. "Why is San Shabby Fur Island called San

Shabby Fur? Why does the plane have two engines instead of four? Why does the toilet make such a funny noise when I flush it? Why do you have fur sticking out of your nose?" he squeaked. Meanwhile, Bratfur's mother shot me a proud smile. "MY LITTLE DARLING IS ALWAYS SO CURIOUS. I just know he's going to do great things someday!" she beamed. I forced a smile. Maybe I could take a nap, I decided. But before I could even close my eyes, BRATFUR began chattering again. "Why can't I open the window? Why hasn't the flight attendant brought our lunch yet? Why are they showing that movie? Why do I have to keep my seat belt fastened? Why are you wearing those FUNNY glasses?" he babbled. I grabbed my headphones. Maybe I could

listen to some music. Then Bratfur would bother someone else. Yes, that would do the trick. I put on my favorite station, Calnunouse 101.9. Ah, the soothing music filled my ears. Something else filled my ears, too. RANCID RAT HAIRS! Bratfur was still talking to me. But now he was shrieking at the top of his lungs. "Why can't I go to the toilet now? Why is the FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS sign on? Why is the mouse over there putting his finger in his NOSE? Why are there CLOUS? Why are your ears so BIG?" he yelled. By now, my head was about to explode. I couldn't take it anymore. I pictured myself tossing Bratfur out the emergency exit. I could just read the headline now: STILTON MURDERS MOUSELET! PUBLISHER PUSHED

OVER THE EDGE BY NONSTOP SQUEAKING! At that moment, I heard a seat belt click. "Why can't I fly the plane?" Bratfur shouted. He stormed into the pilot's cabin. I watched in HORROR as he launched himself onto the control stick. Cheese niblets! Is this how it would all end? Killed in a plane crash by a chatterbox mouselet? I saw my life flash before my eyes. "Why are you sleeping?" a squeaky voice shrieked in my ear. My eyes flew open. Bratfur was back. "I got him just in the nick of time," the flight attendant told his mom. My head began to POUND again. Maybe crashing wouldn't have been so bad after all.