Kate - A Wolf in New York

In all his excitement Wolf forgot to pick up dinner so they decided to go out and celebrate his “fifteen minutes of fame.” Wolf wasn't sure what Virginia meant but any excuse to celebrate was fine by him.

They went to a nearby family owned little restaurant. The waiter immediately recognized Wolf from the news and soon the restaurant owner came over to their table. He was a very large man with short curly gray hair. He gave a warm friendly smile as he greeted them. “We saw you on the news,” said the owner. “What you did was great. Very heroic. I like that. You know when I was your age I could run five miles without breaking a sweat. You must be in very good shape. Did you do track and field in school?” he asked Wolf.

“Fields? Uh, yes when no one was watching,” Wolf told him. The owner frowned, totally perplexed.

“My fiancé is not from this country,” Virginia explained. The owner slowly nodded, not sure if her answer made sense to everything. Then he shrugged, gave a jolly laugh as he said, “Such a lovely young couple! Anything you want is on the house.”

“Thank you,” they both replied.

After he left Wolf whispered, “I don't think that man was ever able to run five miles. He was fat all his life.” Virginia smiled and was amazed. She wondered how he could know that.

During the course of their meal, Virginia related her trip to her grandmother's and had reassured Wolf several times that things were okay for now. He was finishing his rare steak when he announced to her his plans.

“I figured out what I what I'm going to do here, Virginia. I'm going to join the police.”

This caused her to choke on a piece of chicken. Wolf immediately got up and gave her a sharp whack on the back. The piece of food shot out of her mouth and onto the floor. “Are you all right?” he asked, handing her a glass of water.

“Yeah,” she managed to say. She gave a “thumbs up” to the restaurant patrons who were watching her. Some of them had disgusted looks on their faces. She didn't care. Did he just say the police?

“Wolf, I think that's great that you want to join but I don't think it'll work out,” she told him.

“Sure it will,” he said, his voice confident. “Look how easy it was for me to catch those little thieves. The police need a guy like me. I could sniff out anybody. I felt really good about it too. I got the money back to that tiny little old couple and I finally felt like I could do something here.”

She sighed. She didn't want to embarrass him again, but he had to be told.

“Wolf, in order to join the police force, you have to join the police academy. Which means you will have to fill out forms, a process that requires information from you, like a driver's license--which you don't have, a social security number--which you don't have. Then there are the physicals and that means a sample of your blood, plus the evaluations you'll have to go through---you get my meaning?”

He stared back at her and then said in a small voice, “yes.”

He looked glumly at his plate and jabbed at the rest of his steak with his fork. Virginia felt terrible. She tried to think of a better argument, one that would make him abandon his plan of a law enforcement career.

“Besides, I wouldn't like the idea. I would worry about you. You could get hurt. You were so lucky you didn't get shot today,” she said.

Wolf rolled his eyes and said, “Those kids were so scared they forgot their weapon in that machine.”

“It's a car, and that doesn't happen all the time,” she argued. “You were lucky.”

He still had a sullen look on his face. Virginia knew what would do the trick.

“I need you to be around,” she told him in a soft voice. “And Baby needs you too.”

Then his face finally brightened.

Virginia said very little during their walk home. Wolf asked her, “Is there something wrong, my sweetie pie?”

Virginia mumbled at first and then said, “I'm just thinking about things that's all.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“I'm thinking that you won't be happy here,” she replied. “I was thinking that maybe we can go back to Wendell's kingdom for a little while. Visit Dad. We could plan the wedding.”

Wolf stopped and turned to Virginia. “You think I'm not happy here?”

“I know it's been hard for you,” she said. “I hate to see you get down about not being able to fit in.”

Wolf put his hands on Virginia's shoulders and stared at her with a hard serious look in his face. “Virginia, remember that story you told me about the Statue of Liberty?”

She nodded, remembering the day.

“At one point you said that there was a time in this country when hundreds and hundreds of immigrants came through New York. People who came from very poor families, from countries all over the world and these people somehow managed to make a new life for themselves. When you told me that I thought-- if they could do it then I can too.”

His face then softened and he added, “And Virginia, I'll never be unhappy as long as I'm with you.”

Virginia stared back, feeling her body temperature skyrocket. She hugged him, squeezing as hard as she could. “You are truly one of a kind.”

He picked her up and swung her around in a circle. “You know this place really isn't so bad,” he said as he lowered her to the ground.

“Really?” she wanted to know.

“Oh yes, for one thing, there are no sheep,” he said. His eyes seem to sparkle as he grinned wolfishly. “I don't have to worry about that temptation.”

“I know,” she said grinning back and joining in on the joke. “Those fluffy little trollops.”

They held hands the rest of the way home, laughing and making up corny sheep jokes.

The next day Virginia woke up to find Wolf already awake and dressed. He was wearing one of his suits, a black suit with a white shirt and tie. If he puts on some sunglasses he could pass as one of the Blues Brothers, Virginia thought to herself and smiled.

“Do you have somewhere to go today?” she asked him as he stood in front of the mirror combing back his hair.

“Uh-huh, but I don't want to tell you anything about it right now. If it works out well then I'll tell you later because it'll be good news and it could be kind of like a surprise. If it doesn't work out then I'd rather just forget it and spare you the unnecessary details.”

“Hmmm…Okay”, she said, wondering what he could possibly be up to. The man was always surprising her. It was one of the reasons why she loved him so much.

Wolf stood outside their apartment building. He took a deep breath of the morning air and exhaled loudly. He had a feeling today was going to be a good day. He was going hunting-job hunting. He felt like howling but suppressed it. It was far too early for that. As he walked down the street he caught a familiar scent in the air. So familiar that it made him turn a complete circle trying to place the location. But it was gone too quickly. Where do I know that scent? He asked himself. Something from his world, he wondered? He shook his head no--arguing with himself again. Perhaps it something very close in nature that set him off.

“Why can't we take him out now?” asked the young stranger. “We know where they live.”

“Because it's not the right time I said!” snapped the leader, the elder and wiser of the three. They had watched Wolf disappear around the corner.

“How long do we have to stay here? I hate this place,” whined the third.

“Not too long. Until the full moon,” said the leader.

Wolf made his way back to the restaurant that he and Virginia ate the night before. He hoped to meet the owner who was so impressed with Wolf's heroic story from the news broadcast.

The restaurant was closed. A sign said that its doors would open later in the afternoon. The restaurant was empty except for a young man sitting in one of the booths going through paperwork. Wolf pressed his face to the glass window and knocked. The young man looked up. He scowled at Wolf and waved his hand away. It was easy to tell that this man did not want to be bothered. But that wasn't going to stop Wolf, he was too determined. He banged on the glass causing the whole window to vibrate. The young man was quickly on his feet and to the door. He cracked open one of the doors.

“All right, what the hell do you want?” he said.

“Hello,” said Wolf, “I'd like to have a meeting with the owner please. He knows me”.

“Uncle Phil is busy right now. Come back later,” the young man said and started to close the door. Wolf grabbed it with his hand and held it open.

“But it's important that I see him right away!”

The young man struggled with the door, pulling it with both hands but Wolf's grip was too strong.

“I ..SAID…NO!..HEY!” the man yelled, his face was getting red and he looked a little scared. They continued with the tug of war until the owner stood behind the young man.

“Vincent!” said Uncle Phil, the restaurant's owner. “What's going on?”

Vincent straightened up and tried to control his breathing. “This guy was bugging to get in and see you. I told him to come back later when we're open.”

Uncle Phil ushered his nephew aside and he immediately recognized Wolf. “Hey! It”s the long distance runner!”

Wolf took a step back, smoothed out his suit and shot a smug look at Vincent.

“Yep that's me,” Wolf nodded.

“What brings you back here? No food complaints I hope,” Uncle Phil joked.

“No, nothing like that,” Wolf explained, “It's just ..well.. I need to ask you for a favor.”

“Come in then.” Uncle Phil opened the door all the way, allowing Wolf to pass. Vincent watched with a disapproving look.

“What can I do for you Mr. Wolf?” asked Uncle Phil.

“As you know sir,” Wolf said, starting the prepared speech, “I'm new to this country and I am having difficulty settling in. So I came here today to ask you for a job.”

“I see”, said Uncle Phil. He gave Wolf a blank stare. It was not what Wolf had expected.

“Yes, I really need one,” Wolf told him, his voice now sounding frantic. “I have a wife to take care of and there's a baby on the way. I'm desperate. You know how it is. A wolf-I mean a man wants to provide for his family. I'll do anything. I can wash dishes or be a waiter, anything.”

For a second Wolf considered flashing his wolf eyes and hypnotizing the man to get him to agree. But he decided against it. He wanted to be fair with the gentleman. He really liked the man.

Uncle Phil looked down at the floor and scratched his double chin, and said, “I don't have any waiter positions that are open.” Wolf's heart sank.

“But my bartender has a second job playing in a band. I'm sure he would like some nights off to do tours. I could have him start training you when he comes in. Is that fine with you?”

Wolf was ecstatic. “Huff Puff! That would be great!” He grabbed the man's hand and shook it vigorously. “Thank you sir! Thank you so much!”

Uncle Phil managed to pull his hand out of Wolf's clutch. He flexed it to get the feeling back. “You'”re welcome and call me Uncle Phil, everybody does,” he told Wolf.

“Thanks Uncle Phil,” said Wolf with a big grin.

“Now that we're on first names, what's yours, son?” Uncle Phil asked him.

“Oh call me Wolf, everybody does,” Wolf replied. Uncle Phil smiled. “Yeah I know what you mean. My brother's name was Maurice. He hated to be called by his first name.”

Vincent sat at the table and watched his Uncle Phil and Wolf become good friends. He grumbled as he took a sip from his coffee. He didn't care for the new employee at all.

While Wolf was out job hunting, Virginia spent her morning trying to talk Old Mrs. Murray out of scrubbing the floors. “I can't see my reflection dear,” the elderly woman told her. “They have to be cleaned. No more arguments!”

So Virginia remained in the library writing in her journal. After awhile she stopped and put her head on the desk, wanting a little eye rest. The rest turned into a two-hour nap. When she woke up Old Mrs. Murray was already gone. Virginia went to the kitchen hungry for a snack. She got a peach and a carton of milk out of the fridge. She was never a fan of milk but lately that's all she preferred to drink.

“Mmmm. Rich, creamy white milk,” she said and then froze. Did I just say that? she thought. That was a wolf thought! Either Wolf's vocabulary is rubbing off on me or...

She looked down at her tummy and wondered.

Just then Wolf came into the kitchen. “I'm back,” he said and stood behind Virginia, wrapping his arms around her. “Aaah, succulent,” he sighed and he gently nibbled her neck. She found it extremely ticklish and she wiggled out of his arms laughing.

“Someone has good news,” she said remembering his words from that morning.

“I sure do,” he nodded. “I got a job today. I went back to that restaurant from last night and asked that nice chunky owner for a job. He said I could work part time as a bartender.”

“Wolf, does he know about your situation here in New York?” she asked him.

“Oh yes. He said he understood and not to worry. He told me that he'll take care of things until my problem is straightened out,” Wolf replied.

“Wow,” Virginia said, impressed. She gave him a kiss and hugged him. “That's wonderful Wolf. I know how important it was for you to get this job.”

“Look at what I've learned already,” Wolf said with a raised eyebrow. He took a glass out of the cupboard, flipped it in the air and caught it right side up. He then poured the milk into the glass. Wolf bowed as he offered the glass to Virginia, “Your drink madam.” Virginia applauded.

It was a little after midnight when they heard their front door buzzing. “Who could that be?” Virginia wondered, looking at Wolf.

“Stay here and I'll go see,” he told her and got out of bed.

Wolf looked through the door's peephole and saw Tony's frowning face.

“Tony!” he exclaimed and he opened the door. Tony rushed in, looking over his shoulders nervously.

“Hi. Sorry to visit at such a late hour,” he apologized, “but I wanted to avoid any run-ins with Mr. Murray. Otherwise I'll have hickeys on my butt again.”

“Dad!” Virginia cried. She ran to her father. They hugged each other for a long time. “I missed you,” she told him.

“It's so good to see you again dear,” he said and kissed her cheek. He ran his hand through her hair, remembering that day of the “axe trimming” and the look on her face. He smiled and realized that he missed his daughter terribly.

Tony glanced over and saw Wolf”s hopeful expression. He couldn't resist the opportunity to tease Wolf.

“Yes Wolf, I missed you too,” he said dryly.

Wolf pounced on Tony and Virginia. Embracing them, he cried, “Our first family reunion!”

Tony whistled when he entered their dining room. “Murray and his family did an excellent job with this place. Busy little beavers weren't they?”

“So how is life in the Fourth Kingdom?” Virginia asked as she poured a cup of tea for her father.

Tony groaned. “What do you want to hear first-the good or bad?”

His reply definitely disturbed her. “Okay, the good news first,” she said.

“The good news is that I am fine. I have a wonderful career, engineering King Wendell's plans for an industrial revolution. I am also on Wendell's council of advisors. I have fabulous living quarters in that enormous palace of his. I even have tea with Cinderella every Thursday afternoon. Two hundred years old and still sharp as ever,” he said.

“But...” Virginia added, waiting for the bad news to come.

“But things have become a little crazy over there,” Tony said. “I mean it's always been a crazy place with perverted axe-men and talking devious mushrooms but this is a different kind of crazy.”

“How do you mean?” Wolf asked.

“Our time over there has turned into quite a phenomenon. People from all over the kingdoms have been coming to Wendell's kingdom wanting to hear of the story. They're going nuts over us.”

“That's because all the good stories have been told-- Snow White, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel,” Wolf explained. “There hasn't been a good story in a long time.”

Tony looked at his daughter with tired eyes. “Now there's all kinds of merchandise on us. The people are buying books about us. There are portraits of all of us everywhere, on mugs and figurines-my face is on a dinner plate!”

“Cripes,” said Wolf dreamily, envisioning his portrait on a dinner plate. Then a pile of pork chops on the dinner plate. The dream was divine.

Virginia looked confused. “So why is that bad?”

Tony continued, “The merchandizing idea came from Wendell's advisors. Wendell agreed to it. He wanted the money that was coming in to go towards rebuilding Beantown and the surrounding villages. The trolls had demolished everything.”

“But that idiot manservant of his,” Tony said, “wanted to exhibit the Traveling Mirror in order to bring even more money in.” Tony got up and demonstrated, mimicking Wendell's frumpy manservant: “Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is the actual mirror that leads to the mysterious and legendary Tenth Kingdom. The very mirror that Anthony the Valiant and Virginia the Fair traveled through.”

“What about me? I used it too,” Wolf complained and then he growled something unintelligible.

Virginia's eyes widened. “Wendell didn't agree to that did he? That mirror could be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.”

“No he didn't,” her father assured her. “He sided with me that it shouldn't be a tourist attraction. He ordered it to be locked in a room under guarded protection and I was the only one with authority to use it.”

“Well that's good,” said Wolf.

Tony winced. Here came more bad news.

“The other day someone, or some group, surprised the two guards on duty and got into the room. Virginia, they used the Traveling Mirror. Which means they are in New York and I think that you might be in danger.”