32 The Changed Mind

The Changed Mind Ever the kind and wonderful parrot, Claudette said she completely understood how annoying it could be when people asked you constant questions while you were trying to organize a party. She flew out of the shop with Mortimer and promised that they wouldn't return until the party was in full swing.

The impatient beast was just about to wake up the rest of the neighborhood, when another puddle appeared. Out popped Mr. Nickle. He was followed by Agents Hughie, Louie, and Stewie—all of whom had a variety of parrots clinging on to them. "Where's Claudette?" demanded Mr. Nickle. "She stole a D.o.R.R.i.S. puddler, and she's really in no fit state to travel." "She is now. I've cured her," boasted the beast. The old man squinted at the beast. "There's something different about your voice," he said. "Is there? Oh dearsies," said the beast. It dialed down the slither in its voice and doubled down on the humiliating baby talk to disguise the fact that its mind was back. "I'm

ever-wever so sorrykins if you don't like my voicey-woicey no moresies." Mr. Nickle grunted, satisfied. He picked up the snapped high-tech umbrella and looked around at the sleeping bodies on the floor. "Strange sort of party," he barked. "Sure everything's okay?" "Oh yes," said Ebenezer. "This is what all parties are like these days. Would you like to stay?" "Thanks for the offer, but better not. I was in the middle of tracking the Jackal of Mars when these Dorrises called me in." Mr. Nickle shook his head crossly at the three Dorrises for wasting his time. Then he fished in his pockets and presented a new button to Ebenezer.

"Thought you'd better have this back as well—in case of any emergencies," he said. "Just keep it out of Bethany's way this time." "Don't worry, wrinkly-pants. No more calls from me," said Bethany. "I've realized you're right. The beast has actually changed." Mr. Nickle squinted suspiciously at Bethany, Ebenezer, and the beast, not quite able to place what had changed. The parrots jumped off Agents Hughie, Louie, and Stewie. They had all hitched a ride to see Claudette, but the promise of a party made sure that they were all going to stay. "We'll be fine with the beast," said Ebenezer. "Yeah, nothing's too big for us two to handle," said Bethany. "We're a team on this."

"Byesie-wyesies, Nickle-Wickle!" said the beast. Mr. Nickle squinted suspiciously again. Then, with a shrug, he opened a puddle portal, and he and the three Dorrises disappeared. "Well, that was humiliating," said the beast. It added even more than the usual slither to its voice to make up for all the baby talk. "But I guess not as humiliating as this party is going to be." The beast held out its sticky, slimy hands. Bethany took one and Ebenezer the other. The beast got the hoatzin stink-box to leak out a gas that would make the neighborhood slightly more susceptible to suggestions, while the Frisbees woke everyone up. As the party guests yawned and got to their feet, Bethany,

Ebenezer, and the beast took a series of deep bows. "Thank you, thank you!" said Ebenezer. "Oh, you're far too kind!" "We do hope you enjoyed our little showsies," said the beast. "Gaah—our little SHOW! Not showsies." "We really liked how involved you all got in our performance," said Bethany. The three of them bowed again. The neighbors, partly influenced by the susceptibility gas, and partly because they didn't know what else to do, began to clap. Dr. Barnacle looked to her arm and saw that it was completely healed. The lizard lady didn't know how, but the scarf around her neck seemed even softer and more soothing than she remembered.