fonca and cub were pulled
through the picture in the foyer
and found that when they arrived
at their destination the floor was
moving beneath their feet.

fonca's immediate thought was that they
were on a boat
but with a little inspection she found
that it was a stage and the boat was
firmly planted on wood in a building
the size of a small warehouse.

she looked at the people
and thought she recognized some of them
she saw an oddly familiar hat in the background
and she could make out that it was stovetop man

looking around a little further she saw the cast
from wuthering heights who cast a disdainful glance
in her and the pup's direction.

how did she get here murmured a rabbit with big ears
who was running after a blonde haired girl with pigtails

i don't know sputtered a tinman in a tone of voice that
was not too unkind.

the lion following tin man spoke up as he wagged his tail
in a circular motion.

maybe she followed alice.

no, said straw man
she doesn't look the type. see how she is dressed.

fonca looked at her clothing

what's the matter with my dress.

well, for one thing darling the lion chipped in
it's too gawdy.

gawdy, said fonca
how so

well, it's gawdy
how so said fonca

it's just a plain cotton dress
with stars on the belt that my
mother had made special for me.

well, there you go said lion
that's gawdy.

you're ridiculous said fonca.

come speed let's see if we can find the
young woman in the picture.

the one with the baby affirmed cub

yes, said fonca the young woman with the baby.

fonca and cub left the trio behind them and
moved to center stage

the crowd had thinned out and fonca assumed that
most of the crowd had gone inside to get away
from the night chill.

someone had lit lanterns on the deck and there
was a bright moon out so fonca could see if anyone
was there.

cub, do you notice something strange.

yes, said cub
i feel as if someone is watching us

not only that said fonca, but i hear a silent breathing
coming from up ahead.

the two passengers squinted out into what they thought
was the dark ocean but couldn't make out anything.

just then the man with the stovetop appeared.

can i be of help he said smiling and tipping his hat to fonca

yes, said fonca that is very kind of you

we are a little lost

lost said stove top man

yes, said fonca lost.

i don't think so said stove top man.

well, we are said fonca
biting her lower lip to keep from yelling
yes, we are lost, lost.

well, what makes you say that.

fonca told him the story of how they got there
minding their own business looking at this portrait
when they were yanked or pulled into the painting.

cub looked at fonca because he knew that was not true
they weren't yanked

they just freely walked into the picture
he cub just being a fraction of a step behind fonca
in fact he got there because his paw got stuck on
her shoe.

well,anyway she was telling the story so he would just
mind his manners.

cub looked around to see if he could see what he could see

he saw lion smiling that crazy smile at him
so cub just smiled and closed his eyes and shook his head
what was he thinking

just then the woman they were looking for was coming towards them
she had the baby in her arms and there was a young boy of about
18 staning next to her. he was taller than the woman about a
head's worth and he had curly red hair, a mean smile and vigilant
blue eyes in that he never waivered his gaze from the young woman's face.

cub listened to their conversation.

i'll be all right nora
stop worrying.

but i am your older sister it is my job to worry.

worry about little danny here
and the boy patted the baby danny on the head.

the baby looked up and put a fist in the air.

ah ha that's it danny
another fighting irishman

shh said nora
someone will hear you

and what if they do said the young man.

brian be quiet
seriously be quiet

brian pursed his lips
and inhaled deeply
a dimple on each cheek appeared.

nora said, danny you get handsomer each
time i see you.

you are just saying that because you are my sister.

no, it's true brian
you'll break many a heart
before you time is over.