14 Demands

14. DEMANDS Once the Pirate Piper had left the Town Hall, there was silence. Nobody said a word. The mayor, the councilors, the townsfolk, and even Mrs. Bumble, were wide-eyed, surrounded by rats and unsure of what to do, or say, next. "Excuse me, Cap'n Carrot," said Jim Lad, raising his hand at the back of the room. All eyes turned to Jim, who had just walked in after a

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long stroll from Contraband Cove with Bones. "It was my little sister, Nugget, that returned yer kids, with the help of Matilda 'n' all. We figure we could help you out with Cap'n Rattus and them rats, and we won't go chargin' twenty thousand dollars neither." Mayor Harvey Carrot grumbled under his breath with a grimace he tried to hide in his bejeweled fingers. The last thing he needed was children, especially pirate children, coming up with silly plans. He coughed, putting on his best smile. "Oh, how lovely. That's splendid. So how would you clever kiddiewinks propose to save the day?"

"I can play a magic fiddle!" chirped Nugget proudly. "I can get rid of the rats and save the children!" "A magic fiddle, eh? And what would your fee be, young lady?" "As much ice cream and cotton candy as I can eat!" said Nugget. "Every time I visit Dull-on-Sea!" "Done!" said the mayor with a smug grin. At least this might keep the gullible townsfolk happy while he came up with a proper plan. "Nugget can eat a LOT of ice cream," Jim whispered, giggling with Matilda. "They might've been better payin' the piper."

"And a statue!" Nugget added. "I'd be likin' a statue!" "A statue?" The mayor looked puzzled. "Aye!" chirped Nugget with a wide grin. "A statue of ME! On the waterfront, with my fiddle 'n' all!" "Of course," the mayor agreed, his fingers crossed behind his back. "You shall have a fine statue on the harborside, and it shall be bedecked in flowers every year to celebrate your triumph!" Everyone cheered, and Nugget looked particularly happy. She couldn't wait to have her own statue. The mayor couldn't wait to get back to his office.

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