23-YOUR BILL, SIR!

YOUR BILL, SIR! Trap stood up. He studied himself in the mirror. "Do I really look like her?" he asked. Tidytail clapped his paws. "You look exactly like her. Maybe even better! Much more glamorous, more attractive, more charming!" Trap shot him a puzzled look, Tidytail didn't seem to notice. He was too busy printing out the bill. When he was done, he slapped it into my paw. I stared at the total I felt faint. My paws began to Shake. My tail began to twitch. I had to sit down in the pink chair to keep from falling. I had never seen such a bill, A furcut cost more

than six months' worth of cheddar! A massage cost more than my entire set of the Encyclopaedia Ratannica! I started to complain, but Thea cut me off. I guess she could tell I was in shock. "Don't you dare embarrass me!" she hissed. "Fur 4 Life is the most exclusive salon in the city. It's worth every penny. Just pay the bill, Geronimo. And don't forget the tip!" I handed over A WAD OF MONEY. I couldn't believe I was doing it. I could have bought a new car with all of that money. Instead, I had bought my cousin a new look. And he wasn't even happy about it. He stepped on my tail on his way out the door. Tears rolled down my fur. I didn't know if I was crying because of the pain or because my wallet was empty, Outside, a well-dressed female mouse

waved to Trap. "Sally, dear!" she called. "We must do lunch again soon! How does next week sound?" My cousin opened his mouth to reply. Luckily, Thea stopped him in time. "Um, Ms. Ratmousen has lost her voices," she mumbled. "Yes, she has a terrible sore throat. She'll have to get back to you." The mouse stared at Sally, I mean, Trap, closely, Did she notice anything different? Quickly, we shoved Trap into a taxi and drove home, That night on television, Sally's snout appeared on the news. She was being interviewed by the famous reporter Bill Blabberat, Jr. "Tell me, Ms. Ratmouseny," he began. "How does it feel to be the most important publisher on Mouse Island?"

Sally had a smug look on her face. She ripped the microphone out of Bill's paws. "It feels great!" she squeaked. "I am great!" Blabberat didn't know what to make of her. "Yes, well, why do you think Mr. Stilton sold you his paper at such a low price?" he continued. Sally jumped up, "Because Geronimo Stilton is a cheesehead!" she shrieked. "And I am not, I am SMART! I am SHARP! I am the MOST CLEVER mouse in New Mouse City!"

Bill Blabberat, Jr., coughed. He stared down at his notes. Sally Ratmousen may have been clever, but she was also crazy! When Blabberat said The Daily Rat wasn't as polished as The Rodent's Gazette, Sally blew her top. She grabbed the Mouse TV reporter by the shirt. Then she shook him until his eyes rattled. "KELP!" he shrieked. I couldn't watch anymore. I switched off the set. I just had to get my paper back before that rotten Ratmousen ruined it!