THE TAKEOVER

The Dingle-Mouses were in their living chamber. Oliver was eating a piece of cheese. It kept his paws off the piano and gave his father a break from the endless playing of Tchaikovsky’s opus 71.

Oliver was about to go back to his piano when a knock came on the door. Oliver answered. Brianna stood on the white stone that was the front step, while Timmy danced like a cat on a hot tin roof.

“Have you got the last of it?” asked Oliver.

“Sure have.” Timmy darted inside. “Mom sold the last cookie trap this morning.”

“This is the last money from our business.” Brianna dropped two silver dollars in Oliver’s paws.

Oliver stuffed the money in his pocket. “This will come in handy to buy more sheet music. Dad will be happy. I think he’s tired of hearing Tchaikovsky.”

“I’ve never heard it before.” Timmy tiled his head. “Could you play it for me?”

“Sure!” Oliver wagged his tail at the thought of having an audience. “Follow me to the piano room.”

“Leave the door open,” said Mrs. Dingle-Mouse, “so we can listen to the music.

Mr. Dingle-Mouse moaned.

After a few songs, the little Knoll-Mice came out of the room lead by Brianna and Timmy, Oliver came behind.

“Is that a new dress?” asked Mrs. Dingle-Mouse.

Brianna spun around so the hem would flare out. “Yes, I made it myself with the sewing machine I bought from my share of the profits.”

“I like what you have done with all those patches,” said Mrs. Dingle-Mouse.

“You think so?” asked Brianna. “Mom said I put too many patches on. I would have added more, but I ran out of material.”

Mr. Dingle-Mouse put down his paper. “What about you, Timmy? How are you going to spend your profits?”

Timmy held out Oliver’s old seed catalogue. “I’m buying seeds like Oliver and starting a farm.”

“Really?” asked Mr. D...

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... “How about you and Mom signing up?”

“I think your father and I will pass on the music lessons,” replied Mrs. Dingle-Mouse. “But we would be interested in any performances.”

“There’s one next week,” said Gunter. “Mom is going and she is dragging along Dad.”

“Your mother and I will be there too,” said Mr. Dingle-Mouse. “Where do we buy tickets for the.... What is the show?”

“I have some tickets here in my pocket,” said Gunter. “It’s my ballet class recital. We are doing The Nutcracker. Dad says it will be a real money maker, so get your ticket now while they’re still available.”

Mrs. Dingle-Mouse looked at her husband. “I always wanted you to take me to the ballet.”

Oliver saw the look of shock on his father’s face. “Mrs. Rat is the ballet teacher and she said that I should take every opportunity perform when she offered me the job of playing the piano in her show.”