“Pluto!” Jupiter called. “Could you come see me in my orbit for a moment.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Pluto replied, always eager to prove himself. He shifted his orbit and settled in beside the huge gas giant. “What is it, sir?”

“Pluto, ummm…” God, he hated this part of his job. Why couldn’t Sol do it? She’s the centre of the solar system, it should be her responsibility. “Look, kid, I hate to do this, but I’m afraid I have to demote you.”

Pluto stared as if he’d just been hit by a comet. “De… Demote me, sir?” He looked like he would cry.

“Yeah, I know. It sucks. But look at the facts, kiddo. You’re the smallest of us, your orbit isn’t up to spec, and you’ve got a moon almost as big as you are.”

“But…”

“I’m sorry,” Jupiter interrupted, “but management is quite firm. Even Terra, who argued passionately on your behalf, eventually agreed. Your new rank is ‘Dwarf Planet’. I’m sorry, kid.”

As he moved back into his own orbit, Pluto vowed that all nine of them, including Sol, would pay for this insult.