Selby's Stardom Read Online Free PDF Page A

quickly if you want to break the story because I’ll be ringing other TV networks. Oh, and by the way, bring lots of cash. This is going to cost you.’
    Click.
    â€˜
Former
mayor?’ Dr Trifle said. ‘But you’re still the mayor.’
    â€˜I’ve just quit!
Whooooppppeeeee!’
Mrs Trifle screamed. ‘I’m Selby’s agent now. And we’re going to make squillions!’
    Mrs Trifle scooped Selby up in her arms and gave him a big kiss.
    â€˜I really don’t want anyone to know,’ Selby said.
    â€˜Then you shouldn’t have told us,’ Dr Trifle said.
    â€˜I don’t want fame,’ Selby said very sadly, ‘and I don’t want you to put me to work.’
    â€˜Work?’
    â€˜Yes, like around the house.’
    â€˜Come to think of it,’ Mrs Trifle said, ‘there’s some yucky stuff down behind the fridge. You might just fit. I’ll get a sponge and some soapy water.’
    â€˜Darling, how can you even think of that?’ Dr Trifle said. ‘Especially when there’s washingup and beds to be made — and the kitchen floor hasn’t been mopped for ages.’
    â€˜Oh, woe,’ Selby said. ‘This is exactly what I was afraid of.’
    â€˜Well, you are living in our house,’ Mrs Trifle said. ‘We do feed you and look after you. I mean, you can’t expect a free ride now that we know you can talk.’
    â€˜Yes, Selby,’ Dr Trifle said. ‘You wouldn’t want to get a reputation for being lazy, would you?’
    â€˜I don’t think I’d mind that,’ Selby said, feebly.
    That day Selby’s worst nightmare came true. Those wonderful people, the Trifles, couldn’t resist telling everyone. Soon there were television reporters queueing up to ask him things like:
    â€˜What’s it like being a talking dog?’
    â€˜I don’t know. I guess it’s like being a talking person. Only furrier.’
    â€˜How did you learn to talk?’
    â€˜From watching TV.’
    â€˜Really? Which channel were you watching?’

    And on and on and on it went. All that day busloads of people arrived and paid Dr and Mrs Trifle for a glimpse of ‘the Down-Under Wonderdog’.
    â€˜I’ve got to get some sleep,’ Selby finally told the Trifles. ‘I can’t even think straight anymore. I’ve been awake for forty-eight hours.’
    â€˜All right, Selby,’ Mrs Trifle said. ‘You get some sleep. We’ll be very quiet and we’ll make sure that the photographers don’t use their flasheswhen you’re asleep. We’ll wake you at six. You need to be ready for a full day tomorrow.’
    â€˜All right,’ Selby mumbled.
    With his last ounce of strength Selby staggered to his mat, curled up and fell into a deep sleep. Suddenly, he was aware of Dr Trifle standing over him.
    â€˜Selby, what are you doing here?’
    Before he could answer, Mrs Trifle was standing there too. He opened his eyes to see them in their dressing-gowns. Outside the first rays of sunlight were breaking through the clouds.
    Selby was still half-asleep and wasn’t sure what was going on. There were no photographers, no reporters and he started to wonder if it had all been a dream.
    â€˜It’s not like Selby to sleep in the office,’ Dr Trifle said. ‘It is very unusual.’
    â€˜Yes, it is,’ Mrs Trifle said. ‘You needed a change, didn’t you sweetie?’
    â€˜You’re a little darling, Selby, aren’t you?’ Dr Trifle said, patting him.
    â€˜Oh, diddums,’ Mrs Trifle said, ‘you really just want us to leave you alone so you can get some more sleep, don’t you?’
    â€˜I certainly do,’ Selby thought — being very careful that he didn’t say it out loud. ‘And you two are so kind and considerate.’
    Selby watched as the Trifles tiptoed out of the office.
    â€˜That was a