The hallway opened up into a large room. The walls were painted to look like a sky you would find in a children's book; blocky white clouds on a pale blue background. A cartoonish building cutout was set apart from the wall by a dark grey stage; sitting on it like a king on a throne. Max climbed onto the wood cautiously. It seemed to retain its strength after all the years. He peered behind the cutout. Wooden stands held it upright and flame-like shapes were pulled down below the window. So that's how they did that, Max thought, allowing a grin to form on his face. He had always wondered how they managed to hide the fire after Joey, the fireman dog, had put it out with his hose.
