Wendall:

My keen senses tell me that something is off kilter with Uncle Louie and the Polka dots. For one, they play the worst music I’ve ever heard. For another…well, I can’t think of another, but my instincts are telling me that we need to follow that weird make-up artist.

“Come on!” I say urgently as soon as the torture session was over. “I want to follow that lady!” Perry holds us up, however, by insisting on buying an “I Love Uncle Louie” t-shirt, hat, and, yeah, a candy bar. By the time we get out of there, the make-up person is halfway down the street.

We follow her into Pet Foods “R” Us. “Shh,” Maya whispers, as we hide behind a rack of snake pellets.

“Could I buy some wallaby food?” The lady asks in a very high pitched voice.

“Um, why?” The owner looks confused.

“Oh, it’s like, for Uncle Louie. He’s going on a new diet, like no carbs, you know?”

“I know someone who could use that diet,” Maya looks pointedly at Perry.

“Who?” He asks innocently, fondling his Uncle Louie action figure.