Olivia goes West

Chapter 24

The main street of Green River bustled with activity as the stage for Ratigan's rally was being set up by Waul's cat gang, near the Sheriff's office. No one noticed Tiger slip by with three mice that morning, there was too much to focus on. The polls were going to open the following day, and everyone was eager to hear what plans Ratigan had in store for the town.

Having been up until his usual late hours, Tony needed to be lightly shaken awake by Bridget after she got out of bed and got dressed and ready.

"Tony, wake up," she said, "Yer gonna miss the rally."

Tony groaned and rubbed his eyes, having gotten about five hours of sleep. The events of the night before slowly crept into his mind. He looked as Bridget went to pick up her picketing sign reading "Equal Pay for Equal Work" on one side and "Legalize Woman's Suffrage" on the other.

"If Ratigan's gonna be our new Mayor, I want me voice heard after all," she said, "But he seems like such a sincere and charming man, I bet he'll be listenin'."

Tony rubbed his temples.

"Ya know what Bridge? Sometimes politicians like ta pretend they're that way, till ya vote 'em into office and they go ahead and do what they want."

Bridget tilted her head, "You ain't normally the one to talk politics. Usually I'd be thrilled yer showin' an interest even if ya don't agree with me, but, don't you like Ratigan?"

Tony heaved a sigh. He hated keeping secrets. And he was afraid if he told Bridget the truth about Ratigan, she'd want to go out and do something about it, and get herself into trouble. But then again, he thought, wasn't that what Nellie thought he'd do if she told him? Tony could be rational when he needed to be. So could Bridget.

"Let's just say you hear a lot of stuff workin' as a bartender. And I know fer a fact Ratigan and Waul are up to no good. But, if I tell ya the details, you've gotta swear yer not gonna go get yerself into trouble. Ya gotta just not act any different. You can't tell nobody."

Bridget gave a look of concern, "What is it that ya heard, Tony?"

"Swear yer not gonna say nothin' to anybody first."

Hesitantly, Bridget nodded, "I swear."

"Alright then, here it goes," he began, "You see first off, Ratigan was a big shot criminal back in England. After Basil of Baker Street knocked him offa Big Ben everyone thought he was dead, but somehow, he lived and he teamed up wit' Waul and they came here to take over the town."

Bridget searched her mind, remembering having met Basil in New York, and the name Ratigan...

"He's that Ratigan?" she asked in surprise, "Why he was runnin' rampant in London, I used to read about it in the papers back in New York."

"Yeah that's him, and well anyways...Filly and Olivia, they got too close to da truth and well...that raft thing, it wasn't no accident."

"How...how do you know that?"

"I know it cuz Tanya overheard them sayin' they did it."

Bridget was in shock, "Why, we can't let them get away with that! We can't let him become mayor! We gotta get together and do something!"

"Calm down Bridget, calm down," Tony hushed her, suddenly almost expecting to see Fidget or Chula spying through the window, "They got too many cats on their side. But we're workin' on doing something."

"You and who else?"

"Well uh, ya see Nellie Brie knew all along, and she wrote to Basil telling him Ratigan was here, and now he's here in Green River. Ya gotta keep it a secret, he's got a plan that'll fix everything."