[Scarlett O'Hara]

Oblivious to the fact the sports car wouldn't start, Scarlett and Albert were enjoying their picnic. Cool breezes wafted off the stream and the shade of the oaks was dense.

They were finishing off with some cheese and wine when they heard the low rumble of approaching vehicles. Both froze, thinking the police had figured out where the speeding red Jag had gotten off the road. A loud roar jerked them around to see a line of circus vehicles slowly approaching them, the elephants with their trunks up and back, roaring their arrival on the flatbed truck.

Fascinated, they watched how efficiently the vehicles pulled into a large circle nearby in a harvested field. Quickly, people poured from their brightly colored and strangely marked conveyances and set up camp. Before long, both Scarlett and Albert could smell food grilling and roasting. Both were thinking how inadequate their own meal had been when Albert stood, adjusted his linen cloth skirt and put on his hat. "Think I'll introduce myself." he announced and walked proudly towards the circus camp.

Scarlett was right behind him, chuckling at the ridiculous picture he made strolling across the field, his loose skirt fluttering in the breeze. They were stopped by two very large, very muscular men in tights. Albert tried to talk to them, but they stared at his outfit and talked quietly to each other in an eastern European dialect. They had their muscular arms crossed in front of their massive chests, looking menancingly down at Albert.

"I say old man, don't either of you speak the Queen's English?" Albert finally said arrogantly. Scarlett knew one of the men would pick him up and snap him in half when a cultured voice behind them said "Ivan, Gregor......" the rest of the sentence was the language they didn't understand.

Scarlett turned and smiled at the handsome man in the jodpurs and tweed coat, introducing Albert as well as herself. The man purred "Why is your man friend wearing a....tablecloth?"

Scarlett giggled and said "He misplaced his clothes." The man asked Scarlett some questions and then invited them to his camp. He introduced them with his grand manners to his Bearded Lady, Lizard Boy, Muscle Men Ivan and Gregor, Flying Emettes, and the Most Tattooed Man in the World. They were invited to join in the noon feasting and they accepted.

Albert began to drink from a large flask with Ivan and Gregor. Before long the strange and powerful mix had upset Albert's rhythm and concentration. He slurred his words terribly, nearly toppled over a dozen times before he did the unthinkable. He switched back to his mouse form, passed out from the intake of their home brewed liquor.

"OH MY!" The circus manager squealed seeing the mouse. "He is a Mage! Is he interested in joining my circus?"

"Dear me!" Scarlett moaned, unsure of how to proceed.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

"I don't believe that a mage sells his magic." Scarlett said for the umpteenth time as she held ALbert by the tail and dunked him in and out of cold water. The water-logged mouse finally began to spit and sputter. A final shake of his head slung water all over Scarlett as she tried to wrap him in a large towel provide by Ivan. She held him closely and warmed him as the circus manager made him a lucrative job offer.

"I bloody well won't do it!" squealed Albert. He wiggled free of the blanket and stood. Since damage was already done, he reverted to his handsome male appearance, garnering another round of clapping and praise. He held his hand to Scarlett and announced "Thank you for the kind hopsitality but it is time for us to leave."

They walked back to the morgan, each thinking through the experience. They gathered up their picnic and once everything was back in the morgan, they got into the car. Scarlett turned the key and nothing...absolutely nothing happened. "Well do something! You're the man." Scarlett pleaded several minutes later as their arguing reached a crescendo.

Albert thought and reached over with his fingertips to the starter. Even his mage magic was not strong enough to send power to the dead automobile. Another trip to the circus folks was forthcoming as they told of their plight and asked if anyone could start the morgan. Several of the circus technicians went with them, but alas none of them could start the car as well. Finally Albert called on the circus manager to lend them a hand.

The large flatbed truck was carefully moved over and backed up to the morgan as the elephants were led over. Gingerly, the two elephants scooped up the morgan with their trunks and placed it ever so softly on the flatbed truck. Albert had covered his eyes in horror at imagining the morgan slipping from their grasp. Scarlett was excited at seeing them handle it as gently as a baby.

Scarlett and ALbert climbed onto the flatbed and sat in the car, as the flatbed truck joined the now ready procession. The elephants were loaded lastly and squished into tight confines around the morgan. "This is embarrassing!" moaned Albert. "Truly embarrassing. If only you had not killed the thing!" he fussed at Scarlett.

A loud argument ensued as they were moving down the highway. They passed several police cars who seemed to be searching methodically for someone. None of the police happened to look up and spot the sports green morgan stuffed between elephants.

In London, Holbrook's pager went off again. He called the number. "Well, sir, I don't know how to explain this, but the automobile in question.....has started moving again." the young lady said pitifully. "I just don't have an explanation."

Sighing deeply, Holbrook asked "Can you tell me in what direction they are headed." and listened as she called off the most obvious route. However, several cutoffs were approaching and she didn't know if they would take the lesser roads. "Then please notify if and when the car stops again!"

Holbrook snapped his cellphone closed with frustration. How those two always managed to slip out of trouble was a mystery to him.