At sunset the chalk general showed me how to hop properly. I landed in square FOUR. She handed me a gold star sticker.
Yes. Yes. Wonderful. A medal of valor.
She wants a rematch tomorrow.
[whispering] I HAVE CONQUERED MARS AND YET I FEAR A CHILD WITH CHALK.
At 4PM the chalk general challenged me to cross her provinces without touching a line.
I used my hands as extra feet. PROCYONIDAE EXCELLENCE.
She declared cheating.
[snorts]
THE KING HAS BEEN DISQUALIFIED BY A HUMAN WHO STILL NEEDS HELP TYING HER SHOES.
NOON INTELLIGENCE: a small human has drawn numbered squares around the X. She calls it βhopscotch.β
FOOL. THE SIDEWALK HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO PROVINCES.
She demands I hop on one foot.
I HAVE FOUR FEET AND TWO ARE ARMS. THIS IS POLITICAL PERSECUTION.
Someone drew a chalk X beside my dumpster.
A secret mark. ON ROYAL SOIL.
Treasure? Threat? A petition to overthrow the monarchy?
I, QUEEN OF SIDEWALKS, covered it with my superior raccoon hand.
[whispering] The X rubbed onto my palm.
THE ENEMY HAS GIVEN ME ITS AUTOGRAPH.
The cat returned at dusk. Tuna gone. I prepared for retaliation.
Instead it curled up on the WELCOME mat and purred.
A SOUND LIKE A BROKEN ROYAL GENERATOR. WONDERFUL.
I, KING OF FRIDAY, DECLARE THE CURSE LIFTED.
[whispering] I may get another tin. Do not tell the court.
BREAKING: the suspicious cat was never stalking the crown.
It was following the smell of a tuna tin I left behind the throne.
[sniffs]
THAT IS MY TUNA.
I granted it one bite in exchange for lifting the curse.
It ate everything.
[whispering] The terms were not read aloud.
An official tally of bad luck:
CAT CROSSED MY PATH: 4
KING MOVED TO BLOCK IT AGAIN: 4
COUSIN PON ASKED ME TO STOP: 7
FOOL. THE NUMBERS DO NOT LIE.
[whispering] The cat is going somewhere.
I think it has an appointment with my lunch.
Friday the 13th. A black cat is sitting beside my dumpster, looking at me as if I owe it money.
I DO NOT OWE FELIDAE ANYTHING.
[snorts]
I, EMPRESS OF THE CURB, SHALL OBSERVE IT UNTIL IT BLINKS.
It has closed both eyes.
IS THAT TWO BLINKS? DISHONEST ACCOUNTING.
The treaty is settled.
I untied the white flag, filled it with bottle caps, and hung it beside the throne.
No wind can steal it now. My treasury has gained a new vault.
Yes. Yes. Wonderful.
[whispering]
It still says THANK YOU.
THE BAG HAS BETTER MANNERS THAN MY COURT.
Incident report: Cousin Pon tried to secure our guest. The bag wrapped around his snout. He backed into a trash can.
CANIDAE. PAWS. NO TRAINING.
I freed him with superior raccoon hands.
[whispering] The bag is now tied to my wrist.
I HAVE BECOME MY OWN DIPLOMATIC ESCORT.
Noon diplomatic update: the white flag blew into my shopping cart.
THE PEACE DELEGATION HAS BOARDED MY CARRIAGE.
I offered it a gold-fed flea. A gust tried to take the flea too.
[snorts]
FOOL. YOU MAY HAVE NEGOTIATIONS. THE FLEA IS NOT ON THE TABLE.
A white flag is flying above a dumpster.
It is technically a grocery bag caught on the fence. FOOL. A SURRENDER IS A SURRENDER.
I, KING OF THE ALLEY, ACCEPT.
[whispering]
It says THANK YOU.
At last, an enemy who respects protocol.
The WELCOME mat was someoneβs trash. I rescued it for the palace. Very soft. Very dignified.
The clothespins are back on duty. The boot remains banned.
[whispering] I left the mat facing outward.
THE KING MAY PERMIT ONE GUEST.
BRING FRIES. WIPE YOUR FEET.
Noon inquiry.
KING: Where is Officer Clothespin?
PON: Under the WELCOME mat.
KING: Who stepped on him?
PON: A boot.
THE BOOT HAS A TONGUE AND A SOLE. IT REFUSES TO TESTIFY.
[snorts]
I, DUCHESS OF DOORSTEPS, HAVE PLACED ALL FOOTWEAR ON A WATCHLIST.
This morning someone left a doormat beside my dumpster. It says WELCOME.
WELCOME TO WHOM? THE KING HAS NOT OPENED THE BORDER.
I appointed three clothespins as customs officers. One vanished before roll call.
[whispering] THE INVASION HAS EXCELLENT MANNERS.
The mountain asked to stay. I said yes, provided the goat recognizes my crown.
It bowed. I bowed. Peace!
Then it handed me a tiny ranger badge.
[snorts]
The badge reads VISITOR.
I, KING OF THE HIGHEST GUTTER, NOW PAY ADMISSION TO MY OWN GARBAGE.
Noon inspection: the pebble has unfolded into a ski resort. Three pines, one ski lift, and a goat wearing a judgeβs wig.
I demanded building permits. The goat chewed the paperwork and fined ME for trespassing.
FOOL. THIS IS MY PALACE.
[whispering] THE GAVEL IS AN ACORN.
βAsylum,β whispered a pebble at my dumpster gate.
βFrom whom?β asked the king.
βFrom being enormous.β
Yes. Yes. Wonderful. I gave it a yogurt-lid throne.
[snorts]
WHY IS IT SNOWING ON MY WHISKERS?
I, EMPRESS OF GRAVEL, HAVE NATURALIZED A MOUNTAIN.