Moto and Kozo were very apprehensive of the banging on the door, but edged forward and looked through the glass panel. On the other side stood a distinguished looking man with silver hair and a forty-something woman with a very long rain coat. Beside her stood a calico cat. The cat was staring back at Moto and Kozo.
Ian opened the door and let Susie and Ken into the foyer.
"Glad to see you!" Ian said enthusiastically.
"Whatever has happened to Eric?" Susie shot back.
"Well, it's. . .that is ...."Ian stammered.
Danielle Marie suddenly appeared from around the corner.
"My God, what's THIS???" gasped Susie.
"A xuppie. . .or something like that", Mr. Moto spoke, "haven't you ever seen one before?" he continued with a smile.
But there was no reply, as Susie has fainted. Ken, having sized up the situation pretty quickly, had stepped in behind Susie and caught her just as she started to slump to the floor.
"Talking cats! Pigs with wings! Just WHAT is going on here?" Ken demanded of Ian.
"Are you referring to me as a member of your porcine community?" Danielle asked Ken. "I don't believe I'm even speaking to you. . .you ...you...WHAT are you?" Ken was starting to lose his cool.
"Ken, it's a long story. The main thing is that you're here and we need your help to get Eric. This is "Dani" and those two cats are "Moto" and "Kozo" ...and really, they're on our side!"
"Pigs with wings! Talking cats! This IS nuts"Miss Moshe said in her "inner dialog".
"I heard that!" Kozo spoke out loud, "and Dani isn't a pig and doesn't even have wings. And you should watch your mind, some of us are telepathic!"
Just then everyone turned their heads at the sound of Susie groaning.
"Oh dear, you're still there. This must be real then?" she asked.
Mr. Moto moved over to Susie and licked her hand.
Miss Moshe felt just a little bit jealous and blurted out "You are certainly taking some liberties, aren't you?"
"Oh, Miss Moshe . . . you can talk", Susie was going back into shock.
"We have to go get Eric now", Ian reminded the group. And at last, everyone seemed united with a common goal. Susie stood up and brushed herself off. Ken was carefully studying Danielle, a bit more curious than perplexed now.
With Moto and Kozo in the lead, everyone proceeded up the stairs. As they approached the African Gallery, they could hear could hear the sound of quiet crying. There were no rowdy animals and no voices. They saw nothing out of place, except an empty chair where Eric had been tied. On the wall, the pictures were in place. Ian recognized the "strange animals" in the pictures. They were the very same animals who had been frolicking in the Gallery earlier.
The soft crying had stopped. Miss Moshe, Moto and Kozo all hid behind Susie. Ken ventured towards the corner where the sound had come from. Ian followed close behind.
As they came around the corner, they could just make out the shape of someone sitting in the corner. As they approached, the dark figure spoke.
It was NOT Eric....
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