curiousers under way

Part 4 - Yonnie and Treeka

I called Miguel and Licia as soon as I got back to the apartment and left messages on their answering machines. 'Kozak came over for Yuletide supper and after that two bunglers showed up. Then, I was rescued by a donkey.'

Licia called back in the morning. She didn't seem impressed by my message but she did sound slightly hysterical about something on her computer and she wanted Miguel and me to see it.

I called Miguel and waited for him on our porch. It was still snowing and the city plows had already pushed up windrows along both sides of the street blocking all the driveways.

Our neighbour, Mr Kowalchuk, was enjoying his normally winter activity, cursing steadily as he slid a big metal scoop along the ground digging through the windrow so he could drive his car onto the street.

'As soon as I clear the driveway, you can guaranty the damned City plows will pushed all back in again.'

Miguel and I grinned sympathetically as we climbed around him.

Licia lived just across rue Sumac street from Silverwood School. On a good day, the walk to school took me less than five minutes but the sidewalk was full of snow and we made slow progress. We were debating the merit of walking down the neatly plowed street when a shriek of rage made me look back. A sidewalk plow, racing toward us, had just pushed the snow from the sidewalk back into Mr Kowalchuk's driveway.

We didn't want to be knocked down by a sidewalk plow driver, so we jumped over the snow bank to get out of the way. I got a glimpse of the driver in the narrow boxy cab of the snowplow as it hurtled passed me. He wore a maniacal grin and a green Mohawk. Jeremy!

Miguel rang the door bell at Licia's place as I looked across Sumac Street at our school. Silverwood School occupied only the ground floor. The upper floors were used by the building owner, Dr Zhang, who subsidized the school because he was interested in experimental education. How experimental we were still finding out.

'Take your shoes off,' Licia ordered as she herded Miguel and me through the front door. 'I don't want melting snow all over the carpets. '

'Are you sure your parents won't mind?' Miguel asked.

Licia grinned. 'They're always out visiting friends.'

Licia's room was identified by a large red and white sign. Aucun entrée sans autorisation. Inside was a disaster zone.

'Come In!' Licia ordered. 'You're authorized.'

'This is your bedroom,' asked incredulously, 'where's the bed?'

'Very funny,' Licia said sarcastically as she hastily swept up discarded clothes from the floor and collected books scattered over her bed.

Miguel picked up a half eaten sandwich. 'Never eat where you sleep, unless you want a bear in your tent,' he observed sagely.

'There are no bears around here,' Licia pointed out. 'Only dinosaurs.'

'Hey Licia,' Miguel was looking out the window, 'you can see our classroom from your window. With a good pair of binoculars, you wouldn't even need to attend classes.'

I looked around the room, puzzled. 'Where is it?'

Miguel answered without looking around. 'The computer is hidden behind the three Barnies.'