25-TELL IT TO SOME MOUSE WHO CARES!

TELL IT TO SOME MOUSE WHO CARES! A few minutes later, Sally rushed out of the building. She headed for a taxi. Just then, a shy-looking mouse stopped her, "sorry to bother you, Ms. Ratmousen," the mouse squeaked. "I'm Mickey Misprint, your proofreader. I just wanted to ask you about my raise. You've been telling me I would get one for the past ten years. I have five small mice to feed, and we live in a tiny hole. Some nights we go to bed hungry." Sally pushed him away. "Puh-lease!" she snorted. "I don't have time for your little problem." Then she began to imitate Mickey in

a high-pitched voice. "I'm a FAMOUSE mouse, a RICH and IMPORTANT rodent. I don't have time for your petty concerns," she scoffed. "Tell it to some mouse who cares! I have a party to attend! Now get lost! Right now! At once! Immediately!" Poor Mickey wiped a tear from his eye. Then he slumped back into the building. I was furious. Sally was so insensitive. At The Rodent's Gazette, I treat my employees with respect. We are all part of a team. I couldn't run the paper without them. Who did Sally think she was? I wanted to grab her by the tail and shake her.

Vrummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! But she had already disappeared in a taxi. Seconds later, Trap put Phase 2 of our plan into action. "Break a paw!"" the rest of us whispered as he headed into the building. Then we snuck in behind him. Near the staircase, Trap ran into Sally's managing editor, Rodney Rulerat. He had a stack of papers in his paws. "Good morning, Ms. Ratmousen! Here are the stories you asked for. Do you want to read them now or later?" he mumbled. Trap took a deep breath. Then, in perfect Sally form, he began to shout: "Now, you pinhead Right now! At once! immediately!

Well, what are you waiting for? I'm getting gray fur! Fork them over, Cheesebrain!" Rodney didn't seem the least surprised. I guess he was used to Sally screaming at him. He gave her the stories and scampered off. Trap turned toward us and winked. The three of us gave a sigh of relief. So far, our plan was working like a charm! Trap stormed down the hall. We followed right behind.

The offices of The Daily Rat were cold and bare. There didn't seem to be any coffee or soda machines. And all of the employees crept around, quiet as mice. They looked like they were afraid of their own furry shadows. When Sally, I means the fake Sally, strode by, you could practically feel the whole room tremble. Pasted on the walls were framed sayings. Who wrote them? You guessed it — Sally Ratmousen! Don't make me squeak! Sally Ratmousen WORK HARDER, WORK FASTER! JUST WORK! Sally Ratmousen

MOVE IT OR LOSE IT! Sally Ratmousen I call the shots around here! Sally Ratmousen I am always right! Sally Ratmousen TALK LESS! DO MORE! Sally Ratmousen THIS IS A RAT RACE. NO REST ALLOWED! Sally Ratmousen