January 28

Krebs had just come from the Buell library basement where Cor sometimes bedded down in dusty boxes of old encyclopedias.  Warm within the stacks of outdated references, tired eyes more crossed than ever, Cor yawned out the latest happenings at Redwood Common.

“That rich chunk was yellin’ out the big house door while I was visitin’ Elsy.  Ravin’ about the snow and the paperwork and the machines and the money and the soup or something. Then a guy with a rottweiler face stomped off down the driveway carryin’ a long roll of papers. He got into a truck and drove away.”  Cor fluttered a weary paw as if waving away the unimportant workman like so much book dust.

The moonlight’s edge caught Beam’s golden eyes as they considered Krebs.  “That seems to indicate the Long View project is still having problems.”

This time Krebs shook his head with such agitation, his new collar bell (already detached), would have jingled in protest.  “They aren’t going to let these setbacks stop them.  The snow will melt.  They’ll get their permits and fix their land movers.  And that’ll be the end of the Long View fields and everything that lives up there.”

“We’ve been lucky so far, haven’t we?” said Beam.

“We can’t keep depending on that!  Look, I know you believe things will work out the way they’re supposed to…that everything will be all right as long as you try to do the right thing. But what about the ones who are doing wrong things?  What if they win?”

Beam gazed out the window at the moon. “Those who do wrong can never ultimately win.” 

Krebs, still shaking his head, wasn’t so sure.

Ducking under Jake’s desk, Beamer sat down behind the crate that served as his own.  “You’re exactly right, Krebs,” he said.  “Things will be all right as long as we try to DO the right thing.  We can’t just sit on our tails hoping things will be be OK.  We have to take action.”

“Now you’re talking with all nine lives!” Krebs exclaimed.  What do you think we ought t’do?”

“Oh,” said Beamer, putting up a self-deprecating paw, “I don’t begin to think that I have all the answers.  We’ll have to come up with a plan.”

“Right!” Krebs’ check-marked face reflected his agreement.

“We’ll all come up with a plan,” Beam said.  “Every one of us.  First thing you and I will do is get that word out to the Community.  I’ll direct Cor to tell everyone to think about ways to keep the Long View Project from progressing.  You should contact T.T. Homes with the same instructions.”

Aflame with his mission, the Nocturne cat did not feel the cold at all as he left the cat-door banging behind him.