9e945bf3b1d705d5d70aa6e5ed9fa2ba

Wallace nodded, dragging the camera phone behind him. He dropped it at the white cat’s feet and then leaned over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. “I don’t want to be a cameraman anymore.”

“That’s fine,” the white cat said, swiping at the screen. “You can add social media manager to your r?sum? too. Because that video you took is taking off.” She smirked at them. “I posted it online.”

“What?” Wallace peered down at the screen.

“What did you do?” Marco and Polo squeezed in to get a closer look. “Is that the RACCOONS?” Polo squealed. “They’re so much clearer than on the TV!”

“But it’s just the part where they eat the treats,” Marco said. “Why’d you tape that?”

“Once the bigwigs at Beautiful Buffet Cat Food see that, I’m betting these raccoons will be the new face of those caviar cat treats,” the white cat said smugly.

“But that’s your job!” Butterbean said. “Aren’t you the face of Beautiful Buffet Cat Food?”

“The cat food, sure,” the white cat said. “I’m practically an institution. NOBODY is going to replace me there. But the treats campaign?” She rolled her eyes. “They can have it. Those raccoons really sell it. I mean, look at them—they’re adorable!”

She took Reginald aside.“Seriously, this thing is going to be huge. I could make you all big stars.”

Reginald laughed.“Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t think any of us want that, right, guys?”

Tulip shook her head.“I just want to keep the tube top.”

“Besides, there’s a high rise three blocks over that looks promising,” Reginald said. “It has a sushi restaurant on the first level.”

“Sushi?” Chad slithered in from the kitchen, where he’d been helping himself to some tuna. “What’s this I hear about sushi?”

“Don’t even think about it, Chad,” Oscar said. “You’d never make it that far on pavement. Think about your tentacles.”

Chad flexed his tentacles defensively.“I do have sensitive skin.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know,” the white cat said, pouting. “You could be the most famous raccoons in town.”

“I think they already are,” Butterbean said.

“Oh, hey, Doc, that reminds me,” Reginald said quietly. “I’ve got something here for that friend of yours. Hope it’ll make things right between us. I washed it myself.”

Butterbean examined Reginald’s present. “Ooooh, that’ll be perfect,” she said. “Thank you.” She beamed up at him. “You were always my favorite patient.”

“He was always your ONLY patient,” Walt said in a low voice.

“Still,” Butterbean said. “My favorite.”

Reginald’s nose turned pink. Then he cleared his throat. “Well, as fun as this is, we’d better get out of here before Animal Control shows up. Say your goodbyes, everyone.”

Tulip the raccoon lunged forward and grabbed Oscar in a strangle hug, and then went for Walt. Apparently the raccoons were big huggers. No one escaped unhugged.

“Yeah, we’d better get our stuff together and get back out to the loading dock too,” Dunkin said. “Ken’s got a shuffleboard championship to win.”

Ken nodded solemnly.

“If you guys ever need anything, well, we’re right outside. Right, Wallace?” He punched Wallace lightly on the arm.

“Right,” Wallace said, rubbing his arm as he waved goodbye.

The apartment felt especially quiet after the raccoons and rats left.“Well, I guess that’s it, then,” Oscar said quietly.

“Not quite,” Butterbean said. “There’s still one thing that I have to do.”

“Butterbean, nooo, not again!” Madison squealed as Butterbean dragged her off the elevator and down the hall of the second floor.

Butterbean jumped up and pawed at the door until Madison caught up.

“Fine!” Madison grumbled. “I can’t believe you!” she said, knocking at the door. It wasn’t like she had much choice, not since Butterbean had already body-slammed it.

Mrs. Biscuit opened the door a crack and peeked out.“Oh, it’s you!” she said, opening the door wider. “Come on in. I know he’ll be glad to see you.”

“Well, it’s ABOUT TIME,” Biscuit barked, rushing over to Butterbean. “I’ve been DYING over here. Do you know how hard it is not to bark? I had to stuff my face into the couch cushions at least ten times a day! So what’s the latest? Did you rip those raccoons to shreds?”

“Um, not quite,” Butterbean said. “They were actually very nice. I don’t know if you caught their performance earlier on the building surveillance channel?”

“I don’t watch TV,” Biscuit said snippily.

“Well, anyway, they were very good. And they’re relocating, so you shouldn’t have any more problems.” She eyed Biscuit’s bangs. “With the barking, that is.”

“Did you tell them I’d pulverize them? Did they quake in their boots when they found out who they were up against? Is that why they ran away? Because I could TAKE THEM APART.” Biscuit curled his lip in the most threatening way. (Unfortunately, it just looked like he had something caught in his teeth.)

“No, but the raccoon leader did send you a gift.” Butterbean shook vigorously, and Reginald’s gift fell down from where Polo had tucked it underneath her collar. “His name is Reginald.”