Requiem for a Mouse Read Online Free PDF

depicted a foreign land with grass and paved roads. The women had flawless skin while the men wore immaculate smiles. He was sure even the weather there was perfect. The best part about the show was the music. Music like that didn’t exist anywhere else but the TV.
    With his finger, he rubbed his front teeth as if he could clean the yellow stains from them. Not even his skin could compare with the heroes of the TV, least of all the arms too long for his body and ears too big for his head.
    I’ll grow into my body. These words were recited at least once a week. He hated the pains he felt in his joints every morning. Flower had told him he was just going through puberty. Apparently, it was natural.
    “What’s going on?” Dave asked.
    Maverick had been so engrossed in the show he had forgotten Dave was here. He had even forgotten the reason he was here in the first place. A quick glance at the Riverside Tavern confirmed that Prince had not yet left. He hoped that Prince was behaving himself, but was not stupid enough to bet on it.
    “It’s a romance,” Maverick said. He spoke with a light Russian accent, the only gift his parents had ever given him.
    Dave rubbed his chin, moving apart thin grey bristles. “What’s their problem?”
    “The man’s Jewish and the woman’s Catholic. They love each other but their families cannot accept them.”
    “Bah,” Dave scoffed. “Ridiculous. What does that matter?”
    “God seems to be a big deal. Everyone is trying to figure Him out.”
    “If everyone’s still trying to figure Him out, why do they all come here claiming to know the one true God?”
    Maverick shrugged.
    Dave took a coin from his pocket and held it in the air. “This is the God I believe in. It keeps me fed and it keeps me warm. Until another God can do that, I’ll put my faith in this one.”
    “So then why do you go to so many different churches?”
    “Because missionaries always bear gifts.” Dave gave Maverick a wide smile. “I’ll believe in a million gods if each one is holding some food and wine.”
    Maverick laughed. “One God is already enough. I don’t think I could handle a million.”
    “Maverick, at your age, you should only be concerned with your next meal. Eating is a far greater joy than praying.”
    Maverick looked at Dave’s protruding stomach. “You’ve taken your own advice.”
    Dave let out a rumbling laugh. “Yes, I’ve been happy for quite a while now.” His eyes twinkled with humor. “So, why are you here, surely you’re not here just to hang out with an old man? You helping your damsel in distress?”
    Maverick thought back to his damsel and laughed. “Yeah right.” Sasha could never be called a damsel in distress. Not even his vast imagination could change her firm commands into the sweet pleading he would’ve liked to hear.
    From the corner of his vision, he saw Prince leaving the Riverside Tavern. Sasha was going to be livid when he told her he couldn’t stop Prince. Truth be told, he never even tried. He had been too distracted by the TV to do anything. While Prince had his gambling addiction, he had his TV one. At least his addiction could never hurt anyone.
    “They say it’s going to rain soon,” Dave said.
    Maverick looked up at the sky. There were only a few wisps of clouds. “Really now.”
    “It’s supposed to be the storm of the century. Wind so strong it’ll blow a baby out of her mother’s arms.”
    It hadn’t rained in months. Maverick saw no reason why it ever would. “As long as it rains, I’m okay with anything.”
    Dave nodded, serious. “Best prepare though, this one’s going to be bad.”
    “Alright.” With visible strain, he pulled his eyes away from the TV. “Duty calls.”
    “I’ll see you later Maverick and remember, buy an umbrella.”
    With a nod, Maverick weaved his way through the streets, sneaking up on the unsuspecting Prince.
     

PRINCE
     
    “Gambling again?”
    Prince jumped. “Jesus Maverick! You scared