ME:.

[Getting very interested.] Really? Like what?

J:.

Like...uh, calculating terminal velocity. Whatever that is.

ME:.

Oh, come on. That's baby stuff. All you do is multiply the ma.s.s of the object by the gravitational acceleration at the Earth's surface, double that, divide by the drag coefficient...

J:.

Jeez, listen to yourself. Seriously, I bet you're the only person in Blackrock who knows that.

ME:.

Huh. OK. If you say so.

Weird, huh?

Anyway. Played some video games, taught Jakey's parrot some new words, and entertained each other swapping gossip about umlaut and Attikol. Yeah, the kid is all right, I guess. As long as there's nothing embarra.s.sing in my mind.

Very Much Later I'm finally back in my lean-to. And man, things may be tough right now, but in a way, I got it good. I got cats everywhere, a sandwich, a black cherry soda, my notebook. I got a skylight I can see the stars through, and the night air is perfect.

Belgium, I just realized I call soda soda and not pop. And haven't I heard the Blackrock locals asking Raven for pop? I could be way off-but I think people usually say one OR the other, depending on where they're from. And it definitely sounds hilarious to me to hear the Blackrock folk asking for pop.

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Man, I must be desperate for clues. But still.

Later I JUST remembered the cat collar I found earlier today at the minipark. I took it out and showed it to the cats. "NeeChee?" I said, and one of them (the one I called Nitzer) stepped up and meowed! I put it on him. Fit really well. What do you know.

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NeeChee Still Later Went out for a late-late-late-night walk and guess what? I WAS FOLLOWED. This is amazing. The guy tailed me and the cats for about six blocks. Then we doubled back, got behind him, waited until he was lost, snuck back around in front of him, and popped out in his face in a dark alley, making him scream like a little boy.

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Here's what he had to say for himself: [image]

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GUY:.

AIEEEE! Oh. My. You gave me a turn. I sure didn't see you standing there in the dark.

ME:.

What were you doing following me?

G:.

Excuse me. I work for the school board. I just wanted to make sure you were safe walking around alone at night.

ME:.

OK, that's completely creepy, guy. Why don't you get lost.

G:.

Sorry. Yeah, it is creepy. Real sorry. Um, I'm actually the truant officer, Mr. Schneider.

ME:.

Oh, SCHNEIDER. [Giving up hope of mysterious fascinating "Schneider"-related treasures.] I guess you live upstairs from me?

S:.

Huh? Er, no, I mean, my grandmother lives upstairs from the El Dungeon, if that's what you mean.

ME:.

Very well, carry on.

S:.

[Obviously annoyed that I am giving him permission to talk.] I've been notified by the police that a 13-year-old has been roaming the streets unsupervised. And I'm afraid you'll have to report to school tomorrow.

ME:.

Oh, I'm IN school.

S:.

Uh-huh. And...do you have any followup comments to that?

ME:.

...I'm...homeschooling...myself? And...I'm taking myself...on a field trip.

S:.

Right, so. I'll see you in the morning, then, to escort you to LeStrande Comprehensive School. Meet you at the refrigerator box at eight.

DOUBLEBRICKING GOBFARX! Not happy about this.

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Day 7 Was woken up at broad daylight o'clock by a tapping on the fridge box. Schneider was standing outside as promised. I'm sure I was looking grumpy. Had to block out the sun with my arm.

SCHNEIDER:.

Not a morning person?