The Button

Chapter 16: Secret Society Revealed

"Halt!"

Three masked soldiers appeared from the bushes, each holding a gun, two wearing camouflage, but one with Night Vision Goggles and a soldiers suit.

"To enter, you must, uhh, you must, uhh" The man with the night vision goggles mumbled, then turned to one of the soldiers. "Hank! Johnny! Whats today's way to get in? Labyrinth?"

"It's the Riddle, sir" One of them said.

"No, Hank, riddles are Monday!"

"Uh, sir, it is Monday" Frank said after a brief moments pause.

"Nonsense!" The man took off his goggles, revealing old wrinkled eyes. "I know very well what day today is!"

"Then what is it?" Jane challenged.

"Ehh? Can't hear you lass, my ears are a bit old" The General held his hand. "Now, Johnny, the timetable!"

The other soldier ruffled about in his backpack and brought a rolled up piece of paper and handed it to the general. He unrolled it and studied it for a while.

"You people don't know nothing. But I have the answer! Today is Monday, you fools! Which means its the riddle!" The General rolled the paper back and tossed it back to Johnny, who fumbled to catch it.

"But that was what I just said..." Hank whined.

"And I said it was Monday!" Frank complained.

"What? Nonsense! Now, you will answer the riddle or leave this place!"

"This guy sure is smart" Jake whispered to Slither, who both cracked up until Tom shushed them with a glare.

The General didn't seem to hear them. "Now! Hank! Ask them the riddle!"

"Ok ok" Hank stepped forward. "The riddle is, what has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three in the evening?"

Frank was about to answer when the General interrupted him.

"Nonsense! That is not the riddle!" The old soldier fumed, "I have to do everything myself!" He turned towards the five. "The riddle is, what has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three in the evening?"

"That was what I just said!" Hank exclaimed again.

Ignoring him, Jane stepped forward to answer.

"Ok, the answer, is... Frank? What was the answer again?" She whispered.

"Jane! It's-" Frank was interrupted once again as the General huffed in indignation.

"Silly lass! I have to do everything around here!" The general repeated, "The answer is a man, of course! A man like me!"

"Good!" Jane smirked at the two shocked soldiers. "The answer is a man!"

"Pffft..." As Jack and Slither tried not to burst into laughter. Even Tom tried not to smile. Frank just stared in confusion as Jane held her hands for applause.

The General, finally realizing his mistake, tried to reassess the situation. "Another riddle!"

"Sir, that's the only riddle we know, and since the girl has answered our riddle, she and her friends have the right to pass"

"Eh, whatever! Let them pass!"

"Great security you have here" Jack whispered to Hank, and he and Slither started laughing as Hank lowered his head in embarrassment. Frank, overhearing their conversation, defended Hank.

"Its not always like that" He said, "The general was just a bit cranky when he woke up, and he had to round up all the soldiers for their morning duties. So he's not very willing to help do anything lately. Also, he's really really old"