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no car, no anything! You will be in your rooms, unless you're doing chores. The chores will commence tomorrow morning.”
    â€œMom, I was going to the mall tonight.”
    â€œNo, ma'am, you will be staying right here.”
    Blair storms up the steps. SLAM !
    Jack is in total shock. He wonders, What about tonight ? His little stunt has completely backfired. He thinks, She cannot mean this. Time for some smooth talk. “Mom, I'm sorry about what happened. It just got out of control.”
    He waits a second and then risks it.
    â€œCan I still go to the park tonight? I mean, it's closing and all.”
    â€œJack, you're not talking your way out of this one. You should have thought about the consequences when you and your sister decided to destroy my picture.”
    â€œBut, mom!”
    â€œNot another word, Jack. I hate that I have to do this, but you and Blair have to learn to coexist.” Jack's world has just caved in. “One week,” his mom says, and then, after pausing thoughtfully, “and no park tonight.”

Chapter 8
    With mallet in hand, Clyde examines his latest handy work. He has just placed a “Park Closing” sign up in front of the main ticket gate, another painful reminder that he only has two more days on the job. He notices a slick black, top-of-the-line BMW pull into the parking space reserved for Howard Snodgrass.
    â€œThe boss is here,” Gwen announces gloomily, holding the season pass sign that she just took down.
    Oh brother, here we go , Clyde says to himself as he takes a deep breath and prepares for the impending conversation.
    The stout man struggles against his own girth to pry himself out of the front seat. Finally freed, Howard Snodgrass slams the door and ambles towards Clyde and Gwen, obviously irritated.
    â€œSo what's this about a wolf being gone? And why, pray tell, did I have to come all the way down here to see about it?”
    â€œAll the way down here: meant five minutes.
    Gwen clears her throat and says, “Mr. Snodgrass, I thought—”
    Clyde cuts her off, thinking, No need for the kid to get involved , and says, “Looks like we had some vandals last night.” He turns and nods to Gwen. “Mr. Snodgrass, I thought you needed to see for yourself.” Even though Clyde is 20 years Snodgrass's senior, Howard makes everyone address him as mister. Clyde often wonders if Mrs. Snodgrass had to, too.
    â€œSo. You've dealt with vandals before, Clyde. Just do your job.”
    Clyde's job description never included night watchman. Those guys had been let go years ago, after the park's financial trouble had started. Still, Clyde had dealt with lots of things that were not his job. At this point, Clyde decides not to mention the incident with the music from the night before. He is already trying to suppress the memory, and it wouldn't really matter. Snodgrass will ignore him.
    â€œActually, Mr. Snodgrass, I was the one—”
    Clyde cuts her off again. “I did not want to bother you, sir, but the fact is that the wolf is a major part of the Enchanted Forrest. The park guests will be upset if it's not there.”
    â€œOh, horse hockey. We only have two miserable days left in this miserable little park. Who cares if someone stole a wolf statue? They could steal the roller coaster and I would not care at this point. Now, explain to me why I was called down here?”
    Again, Gwen continues, trying to take the bullet, “Sir, in orientation—.”
    Again, Clyde interrupts her to cover. “I thought since you were the operations manager you would be concerned, that's all.” Her intentions are noble, but he's not letting her fall on the sword.
    â€œSo what am I supposed to do? Call the cops?”
    â€œWell, maybe.”
    â€œClyde, we are not about to call the police down here about some stupid little prop. Do you have any idea what kind of paper work I wouldhave to fill out? Plus, don't the