37.
   This little charade really irked me. All that huffing and puffing, all that strutting and snorting reminded me of the trio from my earlier nightmare. I’d been strung along and then laughed at. If ‘Oliver’ was going to enjoy this adventure, then ‘Oliver’ wasn’t going to put up with any crap. Screw this lizard, I thought as I headed for the ruins with Pat and Nanette in my arms.

   Raymond wasn’t too happy seeing ‘Oliver’ walk off in a snit. “I was serious, Oliver. I get angry at this horror, angry that you don't see it, angry that you won't when it's turned on you. Sometimes it’s better to release your frustrations through laughter. I wouldn’t get on your high horse if I were you. You are here to learn these things and it’s never going to be easy. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
   “I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with, loony tunes!”, barked Nanette over my shoulder.
   “Ever think of taking that show on the road?”, sneered Pat. “Try jumping up and down on one foot next time.”
   As I walked into the crumbling edifice I started to calm down. After all, that lizard could have eaten us back on the river. Maybe he’s just lonely. Maybe I was too hard on him.
   Pat and Nanette seemed to be of like mind. “I feel bad I said that to the big guy.”, admitted Nanette.
   Pat hung his head. “He might be a bit screwy but his heart is in the right place.”
   I stopped in my tracks. “I think we owe him an apology.”