2. The Wabbit supposes

The Wabbit’s destination was the Big Parliament and as he and Lapinette hopped up the steps they met a puppet who fitted their mission target. "Follow my lead," whispered  the Wabbit to Lapinette, "and if it doesn’t work, run some interference!" Lapinette nodded and the Wabbit stepped forward and addressed the Puppet. "I suppose you know how things operate around here?" asked the Wabbit. "Supposing I was to advise you?" said the Puppet. "Supposing I could make it worth your while?" said the Wabbit. "Supposing you were to demonstrate your goodwill," said the Puppet. The Wabbit paused, dug in his fur and jingled some coins. "I suppose that would do nicely," said the Puppet. The Wabbit leaned towards the Puppet and lowered his voice. "Supposing the Big Vote went a particular way," he continued. "Supposing I was to use my influence," said the Puppet. "Supposing I had 200 more of these coins," said the Wabbit. The Puppet pondered for a while. "I suppose every little helps," said the Puppet. "I suppose I could be more charitable," said the Wabbit and he jingled the coins in his fur again because he was beginning to like the sound. For a while they both listened and the Puppet smiled at the Wabbit and the Wabbit smiled back. "I suppose you’d have an opinion on how my friends might vote," said the Puppet and he rubbed a single coin in his hand as if it would magically multiply. The Wabbit shot a glance at Lapinette and she hopped quickly forward. "I suppose they might abstain," she murmured quietly.

1. The Wabbits and a Speedy Departure

Following a communiqué from the Department, The Wabbit and Lapinette prepared to leave on an urgent mission. The Wabbit had decided that the most appropriate way to reach their destination was with the MoTo Snails and both he and Lapinette had made themselves comfortable on board.  "Are you sure Mo and To can reach a speed of Mach 2?" asked  Lapinette. "Oh, there have been modifications since then," said the Wabbit. "What kind of modifications?” sighed Lapinette suspiciously. "Super duper ones," said the Wabbit. "Won’t we fall off then?" said Lapinette. "Not at all," said the Wabbit. "Not since we introduced Advanced Fuzzy Traction." "We?" said Lapinette questioningly. "Big Blue Snail and I," said the Wabbit. "Hmm," said Lapinettte, and she shifted uneasily on her perch. "Anyway, I think you’re pulling my leg," she added. "Check it out!" yelled Mo. "We have carefully assessed the modifications and we’re quietly assured," said To. Lapinette leaned across to the Wabbit in a confidential fashion. "Wabbit," she whispered, "I can never remember who is Mo and who is To." "No problem," smiled  the Wabbit. "Mo is the impetuous one and To thinks too much." "I don’t think I think too much," said To, who had heard everything. "What about breathing at high speed?" said Lapinette. "Well since they’re so fast, you won’t even have to hold your breath," said the Wabbit. "We are about to commence scheduled departure on the count of three," said To. "Three," said Mo. And with two ear-splitting sonic booms, they vanished. 

The Wabbit & the Ambassadors' Talks

The Wabbit, Lovely Lapinette and their diplomatic guests gathered to have a post adventure drink in a nearby cafe. "Did I hear mention of carrot aperitivi?" said the Wabbit. The aperitivi duly appeared on the table and everyone chatted enthusiastically. "There was something I wanted to ask," said the Wabbit. "Can you tell me what your top level talks were about?" "Oh," said Pink Bunny, "that is most hush-hush." "Das ist verboten," said Rettet Kaninchen. Lapinette looked at the Wabbit. "I suppose anything that’s not forbidden is allowed!" she laughed. Pink Bunny laughed too. "In that case, we can tell you that the Agents of Rabit have been setting up puppet governments and our job is to stop them," she said. "Puppet Governments," mused the Wabbit and he imagined a parliament full of Pinocchios. "I can see what you’re thinking," said Lapinette. "No you can’t," smiled the Wabbit and he changed his thoughts to a parliament crammed with Punch and Judy characters. But just as they were hitting each other with police truncheons, Lapinette broke in. "Punch is funny," she said. "How did you know I was thinking of Punch and Judy?" asked the Wabbit. "Lucky guess?" said Lapinette sweetly. "Puppets can be nice, like Kasper in Hohensteiner Puppenspiele!" said Rettet Kaninchen. "When Good Puppets go Bad," sighed the Wabbit.

The Wabbit and the Brave Diplomats

With the Agents of Rabit disabled, the Wabbit and Lapinette rushed back to ensure the safety of the Ambassadors. But they weren't expecting the aftermath of a struggle. "What’s this?" asked Lapinette pointing at two Agents who were securely roped and tied. "They disturbed us," said Pink Bunny. "We did restrain them," said Rettet Kaninchen. "And took them prisoner," said Pink Bunny, "Jetzt ist ihnen nicht gut," said Rettet Kaninchen. "I can see that," said the Wabbit. "They look a little the worse for wear." "They fell," said Pink Bunny. "Into a wall," said Rettet Kaninchen. The Wabbit smiled one of his smiles which he reserved for such occasions. Lapinette grinned. "Better call it in, Wabbit" she said. The Wabbit lifted his walkie-talkie and pressed the red button with delight. "Wabbit to Control," he said nonchalantly. "Can you send a pick-up squad and a first aid team?" The radio hissed angrily. "Hardly anything at all," said the Wabbit. "Bring sticking plasters and two bags of frozen peas." The radio hissed again and went silent. "What’s going to happen to them now?" asked Pink Bunny. "Oh nothing much. Community Service probably" said the Wabbit. "That doesn’t sound so bad," said Pink Bunny. "In Abu Dhabi," said the Wabbit. 

The Wabbit faces them Down

The Wabbit stood in the path of the snickering Agents of Rabit and casually took a can of WD-40 from his fur. He tossed it in the air, caught it and began to lubricate his laser gun. "I know what you're thinking." said the Wabbit, glancing up. "Huh?" said the leader of the Agents. "You're wondering whether I forgot to service my gun," said the Wabbit quietly. "Huh, uh?" said the leader of the Agents. He turned to his gang and they all shook their heads. The Wabbit shook his head too. "You're asking yourselves, "is it going to work?"" he drawled laconically. "Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as the oil is WD-40 and this is a Snaser, the slimiest Laser gun in the whole wide world, you’ll slip and slide your way to Kingdom Come." The Agents jumped and talked confusingly, then looked back. "So  you've got to ask yourselves one question," continued the Wabbit. "Do we feel lucky?" The Agents turned to each other and hesitantly asked themselves if they felt lucky. Some decided they weren't feeling one bit lucky and decamped from the back. Lapinette smiled from her vantage point, but kept her automatic trained on the lead Agent. The lead Agent stared menacingly at the Wabbit. "Look behind you," said the Wabbit. "There's no-one left." The Agent glanced behind him and the Wabbit hopped quickly forward and pushed him over the parapet. "Luck," said the Wabbit to the few Agents remaining, "is when preparation meets opportunity."

The Wabbit and the Concerted Attack

The Wabbit crouched on the window ledge and listened. Then he heard that strange sound again and he looked down at Lapinette. Lapinette made a sign with her paw and the Wabbit heard her rack a round into the chamber of her automatic.  He touched a button on his laser gun and listened to the whine as it charged. The Wabbit risked a glance round the wall and spotted several agents of Rabit scale the castle bridge and make their way along the ramparts. He strained his ears to the utmost. Yes, there it was again, nearly inaudible - but it was there. Snicker-snacker, snicker-snacker went the sound. The Wabbit switched on his universal translator but the sound was more or less the same. "Snacker-snicker, snacker-snicker," chattered the translator.  "I wonder why the wranglers never worked out this signal?" thought the Wabbit.  Lapinette made a sign with her paws and twitched her ears seven times. "There are seven agents," thought the Wabbit. "That’s three and a half each." Lapinette made another sign. "Seventy!" thought the Wabbit," and he wiggled his ears back and to each side. Lapinette shook her head and twitched her ears once more. "Seven elite troops," thought the Wabbit. "That’s still three and a half each, but harder." So the Wabbit changed the setting on his laser and it started to whine quite loudly. Lapinette frowned and covered her mouth. The Wabbit shrugged his shoulders and shook a paw at his weapon. Lapinette twitched her ears again and nodded her head down. "Go down to the back," reckoned the Wabbit. Lapinette made a scissors motion. "And cut them off  ...?" guessed the Wabbit. Lapinette blew him a kiss. "At the pass!" realised the Wabbit.

4. The Wabbit and the Guest Bedroom

"I swear I heard something," muttered the Wabbit. "I can't hear a thing," said Lapinette. "Maybe it's the plumbing." "It didn't make a drippedy-woosh noise," said the Wabbit. "What kind of noise was it?" asked Lapinette. "More of a snickety-snacker type of noise," said the Wabbit. Lapinette sighed. "You're always hearing strange noises, let's not get spooked." "All the same," said the Wabbit, waving his weapon all around. "I am prepared for the unexpected." "Unexpected what?" said Lapinette. "If I knew that," said the Wabbit, "then it wouldn't be unexpected." "Der Knochen kommt nicht zum Hund, sondern der Hund zum Knochen," said Rettet Kaninchen. "Maybe you're right Ambassador, I should take a look around the perimeter," replied the Wabbit. Lapinette turned to her guests. "Is the accommodation suitable?" she asked. "It's appropriately pink," said Pink Bunny. "I am most pleased, we shall work well here." "Lock the door and don't let anyone in but us," said the Wabbit. "We can always use the secret tunnel in an emergency," said Lapinette. "Secret tunnel, secret tunnel?" said the Wabbit. "I never heard of a secret tunnel." There was silence. "No one told me about the secret tunnel!" moaned the Wabbit. "Then it wouldn't be secret," smiled Lapinette. "Touché," nodded the Wabbit.
["Der Knochen kommt nicht zum Hund, sondern der Hund zum Knochen." German Proverb: The bone doesn't come to the dog, the dog goes to the bone.]

3. The Wabbits protect their Guests

Lapinette and the Wabbit hopped quickly from the helichopper keeping their diplomats under close protection. Lapinette's radio suddenly burst into life. "Hello Trixie, the wranglers report that things are busy, have my nieces arrived?" "Hello Mother," said Lapinette, "yes, our guests are here for dinner and they came a long way." "Take their hats and come on in," said the radio, "the aperitivi are on the table." "What's that about your mother's aperitivo?" said the Wabbit. "It's code, Wabbit" said Lapinette. The Wabbit heard the slide on her automatic and he tightened his grip on the laser gun that he and Snail had made in a shed. "There are uninvited guests," whispered Lapinette. "Be on your guard!" Looking hastily from side to side  Lapinette and the Wabbit hurried Pink Bunny and Rettet Kaninchen across the courtyard. "What's that?" asked Pink Bunny pointing at the Wabbit's strange looking weapon. "Oh," said the Wabbit, "just something Snail and I invented." "Wer ist die Schnecke?" said Rettet Kaninchen? "Snail's a good friend," said the Wabbit. "Everything's ready for your top-level discussions." said Lapinette to the diplomats. "What's our accommodation like?" asked Pink Bunny. "Basic, I'm afraid," said Lapinette. "But if you need anything, just ask the Wabbit." The diplomats turned to the Wabbit. "Anything I can get you?" he smiled. "Carrot aperitivi," they chorused.
[Wranglers: radio signal analysts and cryptographers. Their name derives from Wrangler maths students.  MI6 slang from espionage novels by John Le Carre]

2. The Wabbits take to the Sky

Lapinette kicked the tyres and lit the fires. A helichopper clatter echoed noisily around the square as she lifted off for a top secret destination with her top-level diplomats safely on board. Then she hovered while the Wabbit spoke to Wabbit Command. "Requesting clearance Command, from Corso Svizzera heading SE 54, 2000 metres," said the Wabbit. The radio crackled. "Take off agreed. Proceed with caution. There are power lines and a cooling tower. At your own risk, Commander. Out" "Out," said the Wabbit and he turned to Lapinette. "Mind the cooling tower," smiled the Wabbit. "They always say that," said Lapinette. "Go over the tower and pick up some thermals," suggested the Wabbit, winking. "May we loop the loop?" asked Pink Bunny. "Flight rules Ma’am," said Lapinette. "Your diplomatic mission is of the utmost importance." "It’s urgently urgent," agreed the Wabbit. "Da ist die Gefahr?" asked Rettet Kaninchen. "Danger? Not for you," said the Wabbit. "You’re in safe paws."  The helichopper chattered deafeningly as Lapinette throttled up. The Wabbit cut communication to his diplomats and spoke privately to Lapinette. "Did you notice anything on the ground," he asked. "I saw him," said Lapinette, "he’s just a scout." "But now they know where we’re coming from," said the Wabbit. "I think everyone knows that now," said Lapinette over the noise, "Did you adjust the swash plates?" she asked. The Wabbit nodded and grinned. Lapinette pulled the stick and the helichopper soared near-vertically into the sky. "Bravo Zulu!" * laughed the Wabbit.

[Bravo Zulu: Aviator slang - praise for a good job]

1. The Wabbit takes care of his Guests

At a converted factory not far from the city centre, the Wabbit seated his special guests in a special vehicle. The vehicle was a surprise to Lapinette and she tried to catch the Wabbit's eye. "Wabbit," she whispered, "what's with the vehicle?"  "Vehicle?" said the Wabbit innnocently. "The one you're touching with your paw," said Lapinette. "Oh," said the Wabbit. "I found it it at the back of the Department." Lapinette looked sternly at the Wabbit. "Requisitioned it," said the Wabbit apologetically. "Did you sign for it?" said Lapinette in a threatening voice. "I did," said the Wabbit. "You're not cleared for experimental vehicles," said Lapinette. "No, but you are," said the Wabbit. Lapinette looked at the Wabbit in horror. "You signed my name?" she yelled. "In triplicate," said the Wabbit. Lapinette hopped from one foot to another. "That's is the procedure," said the Wabbit. Lapinette fell silent. "Well I hope you didn't have any trouble getting it here, it's hush hush!" she said finally. "No, apart from the minor business with the tram," muttered the Wabbit. Lapinette sighed. "I got stuck in the tram rails," said the Wabbit, waving a paw dismissively, "but I gave the driver some luncheon vouchers for making him late." "Do you know how it works?" asked Lapinette. "Not a clue," said the Wabbit, "you just tell it where to go." "Where are we going?" said Lapinette. "Well," said the Wabbit, "nowhere particularly fast."

The Wabbit Intermission Gnam-Gnam

Before their appeal, the Wabbit and Lapinette met in their favourite food store, together with special diplomatic invitees Rettet Kaninchen from Germany and Pink Bunny from the United States. "Did you order everything for the Intermission," asked Lapinette. "I did," said the Wabbit. "Carrot cake?" said Lapinette. "Check!" said the Wabbit. "Celery Glacé?" asked Lapinette. "Checkedy check!" said the Wabbit. "Everything in place?" said Lapinette. "Totally," said the Wabbit. "And you remember who are we appealing for?" said Lapinette. "Of course," said the Wabbit. "It's Pledge a Pound and PACT both in the UK." "And what do readers have to do?" coached Lapinette. "They have to click on the Internet clicky links," said the Wabbit. "Your so technical," said Lapinette. "I just can't help it," said the Wabbit. "What next?" asked Lapinette. "Readers have to dig plastic cards from their fur and do things with numbers," said the Wabbit. "Then what?" said Lapinette. "They have to think of a donation amount," said the Wabbit, "and double it." "Well, they can give what they like," admonished Lapinette, "because mony a mickle maks a muckle!"* "You speak my old language," said the Wabbit in astonishment. "I can't help it either," said Lapinette, "you talk it in your sleep!" "Das ist gut," said Rettet Kaninchen. "Excellent!" said Pink Bunny.
[*Scots: A lot of small amounts builds up to a large sum]

7. The Wabbit emerges Back

"Hello, hello," said Lapinette. "Ground control calling the Wabbit!" The Wabbit sat up with a jolt. "Where were you?" asked Lapinette. "I was in my deep unconscious," said the Wabbit. "Well, you certainly weren't here," said Lapinette. "What's in there anyway?" "Lots," said the Wabbit. "I phoned Snail from inside a washing machine and apparently I can sometimes be pompous. "Never!" said Lapinette disguising a smirk. "I learned I can be all sorts of things," said the Wabbit, "and that my unconscious is rather full." "Full of ... ?"  prompted Lapinette. "Electrical goods," said the Wabbit, "and there's an Agent of Rabit who lives there permanently and he won't leave." "I can't imagine why," smiled Lapinette, "but please continue." "Then I met Franco when I was a ferryman on a German police barge," said the Wabbit. Lapinette grinned at the thought. "Perhaps you were going to the Unterwelt, what was it like?" she asked with a straight face. "More pleasant than you might think," said the Wabbit with enthusiasm. "There were woods and a lake and a water witch who looked like Ghost Bunny. She brought us aperitivi and flew off on a giant carrot." "Your unconscious life is rather rich," commented Lapinette, who was beginning to get thirsty. "So is that where all your bad jokes come from?" she asked. "I forgot to mention that," said the Wabbit.

6. The Wabbit and the Water Witch

Still in their unconscious, the Wabbit and Franco hopped by the lakeside to see if they could find the Water Witch. Then, as they rounded a corner by some strange trees, they saw two carrot aperitivi laid out neatly on a tree trunk. "Look," said the Wabbit, "we may be the only creatures ever to get refreshments in our psyche." "The Water Witch provides for her own, Sir" said Franco, "you being a seafaring type." The Wabbit nodded vigorously and glancing upwards, he could have sworn he saw a witch sailing through the air on a most delicious carrot. "Well, the sun appears to be over the yardarm," he said "and so we should drink a toast." "Who shall we toast?" asked Franco. "Ourselves," said the Wabbit. "Ourselves and all our adventures together."  "Our adventures don't seem to stop, Sir!" said Franco. "They won't stop until we've reached our objectives, Franco," said the Wabbit. "That could be quite a while," mused Franco. "As long as it takes," said the Wabbit. Their heads bobbed in mutual agreement. "There's something very familiar about that Water Witch," said Franco suddenly. "I know," said the Wabbit, "it's almost as if our psyches are making it up as we go along." "That's gonzo for you," Sir," said Franco. "It's a stream of unconsciousness," laughed the Wabbit.

5. The Wabbit and the Barge

"Franco!" said the Wabbit. "Commander Sir!" said Franco. "Are you in my unconscious too?" said the Wabbit, "because it's getting rather crowded in here." "I suppose so Sir. I was wondering if you were in mine," said Franco. "Nice spot anyway," said the Wabbit. "Delightful Sir," said Franco and he stood at ease. "Are we perhaps on our way to to the Underworld?" he added and he gave the Wabbit the fondest of looks. "Why?" asked the Wabbit. "You're on a barge," said Franco. The Wabbit looked all around. "So I am. Maybe I'm the ferry wabbit," he said to Franco. "If you say so, Sir," replied Franco, "but it appears to be a German police launch." "Ich bin der Fährmann?" mused the Wabbit. Franco chuckled and tipped back his Alpini hat. "Then we may meet Frau Holden, the Water Witch," he said. "And she will will make us aperitivi?" suggested the Wabbit. "I believe she's quite benign and seldom cross," said Franco. "Oh, I like the sound of her. This place is definitely better than the inside of a washing machine," said the Wabbit. "Washing machine?" asked Franco. "You'll never believe who I met in there!" said the Wabbit. Franco waited because he knew the Wabbit was going to tell him. "A wicked Agent of Rabit," exclaimed the Wabbit. "Oh I see them in dreams all the time, Sir," said Franco. "What happens?" asked the Wabbit. "I eliminate them," said Franco.

4. The Wabbit and the Dark Archetype

Water streamed into the washing machine and sloshed around as the drum span faster. The Wabbit lost grip of his phone but when he looked for it, his fur stood on end at the sight of an unwelcome presence. "What are you doing in my unconscious?" he growled at what was clearly an Agent Of Rabit. "Get out at once!" he yelled indignantly. "I can't," said the Agent, "because I live here." "You can’t live here, rent free and uninvited," gasped the Wabbit. "I can’t leave because I’m part of you," said the wicked Agent. The water sloshed soap suds around and the Wabbit found himself upside down. "Your a fiendish fiend," gurgled the Wabbit. "You need to give me a chance," replied  the Agent. "I’ll give you justice!" shouted the Wabbit. "And who would make me dried bread*?" said the Agent. "I’ll bring a loaf to your cell every day!" shouted the Wabbit. "Then you would be a prisoner too," said the Agent. There was a long pause. All the Wabbit could hear was water. He fell silent as he thought, and as he thought he revolved. "How can you possibly be part of me?" he asked. "I'm your potential for wrongdoing," said the Agent, "don’t you recognise me?" Then he too revolved as the soapy suds washed over his feet. The Wabbit stared at the Agent of Rabit and the more he stared, the more he recognised. The Agent became fainter and fainter - until he was merely a lick of colour in the soapy water. "It’s a good thing I brought a towel," gurgled the Wabbit.

[*Russian saying: prepare for prison, exile]

3.The Wabbit and his Psyche

The washing machine drum started to tumble, and the Wabbit gripped his phone to communicate with his unconscious. "Hello, anyone there?" asked the Wabbit. He heard muffled sounds and a crackling, then suddenly a familiar voice boomed from the earphone. "Hello, who’s calling please?" "It’s the Wabbit and I know your voice - it’s Snail," said the Wabbit. "You’re very clear! You could be standing next to me," said Snail, "where are you calling from?" "I’m in my deep unconscious," said the Wabbit, "but what are you doing here?" "Nothing leaves the psyche," said Snail sagely. "If I’m in your unconscious, I must represent something important to you, Wabbit. Can you think what it is?" The Wabbit thought as the drum tumbled slowly. "Well, you’re stalwart and principled and I can always rely on you," he said. "That’s all very well," said Snail. "But can you think of anything negative?" The Wabbit thought hard for a small criticism that wouldn’t offend, but Snail seemed to know what he was thinking. "I won't take offence, Wabbit. I am merely a relational object amongst others in your psyche," he said soothingly. "OK," said the Wabbit. "you can be a bit pompous sometimes." "Pompous!"  said Snail. "How dare you! I think that rightly belongs to you." "I suppose," agreed the Wabbit and he thought again. "Snail, do you have a complaint about me?" "Yes," said Snail. "It’s your misplaced humour." "Ah!" smiled the Wabbit, "if I misplaced my humour, then it’s not lost and I’ll find it again soon." There was a long silence. "Do you see what I mean?" sighed Snail. 

2. The Wabbit explores his Unconscious

The Wabbit looked all around. Then he looked all around again. "How on earth did I get here?" mused the Wabbit. The Wabbit's reflection laughed and laughed. "You're in your unconscious," it said with enormous mirth. "My unconscious is full of gadgets and electrical goods?" queried the Wabbit. "You're a little weird," said his reflection, "but this will do fine for the time being." The Wabbit had a long think. "Why?" he asked finally. "Since you're on this floor, you obviously need to communicate," said his reflection. "Communicate to who?" said the Wabbit in amazement. "Now you sound like an owl," said his reflection. "Anyway, it's to whom. Whom is the object of the preposition." The Wabbit's unconscious whirled. "OK, I grant you the grammar, just answer the question," he said. "Communicate with yourself," said his reflection emphatically and it squinted at the Wabbit in the glare of the shop lights. "Do I need a phone for that?" said the Wabbit. "If it helps," said his reflection. "There's so much choice, so what colour should it be?" asked the Wabbit. "What's your mood?" asked his reflection. "Blue," said the Wabbit. "Then it's settled," said his reflection. "Now we can go deeper into your unconscious." The Wabbit looked down. "What's there?" he asked. "Washing machines," said his reflection. "Good clean out?" suggested the Wabbit. "And a spin dry," grinned his reflection.

1.The Wabbit and his Shadow

The Wabbit had been on the roof, thinking. And there were many things to think about. There were the wicked Agents of Rabit, who never left him in peace. There was his work for the Department. There were his leadership duties to his small band of willing helpers. Last but not least, there was the sausage question that had not been fully laid to rest. But that wasn't all - because of the list of things to do from more than a year ago. There had been so many additions! "Now the things that used to be at the end of my list are in the middle," sighed the Wabbit. The Wabbit stretched out a paw to his shadow on the staircase wall and touched it just for fun. "You're funny!" said his shadow. "I beg your pardon," said the Wabbit sharply. "Don't worry about your list, Wabbit." The Wabbit sat down on the stairs and looked at his shadow. "What exactly do you propose," he said with narrowed eyes. "What are you doing for fun?" asked the Wabbit's shadow. The Wabbit shrugged. "That's not a satisfactory reply," said his shadow. "You mean like playing unobtainable records from 1936?" suggested the Wabbit. His shadow started to laugh. "I mean exciting adventures," he said. "I can't always be having adventures," said the Wabbit. "Everything's an adventure," replied his shadow. "In that case, another will start in a minute," said the Wabbit, who was beginning to feel cheered. "Can I come?" asked his shadow with excitement. "Hard to get rid of you," chortled the Wabbit.

The Wabbit and the Sausage Incident

"It was spontaneous combustion!" said the Wabbit, "just like you see on Discovery Channel." "You deliberately took a lighter out of your fur," said Lapinette. "I only intended to light a small paper napkin," said the Wabbit. "It was provocative" said Lapinette. "Well that's all in the past," said the Wabbit diplomatically and he flicked his lighter a few times. "Anyway, the demonstration was all your idea." he added very, very quietly. "Rabbit sausages should be forbidden, it's against nature," said Lapinette. The Wabbit nodded in agreement and pondered for a while. "Well, maybe you shouldn't have tipped the policeman's hat off," he murmured. "He shouted at me in an uncouth manner," said Lapinette. "What did he say?" asked the Wabbit as he looked down to dust charcoal from his fur. "That wabbits were nothing but trouble," said Lapinette, imitating a whiny voice. The Wabbit stifled a giggle, which he thought might be unwise under the circumstances. "What happened to the sausages anyway?" asked Lapinette. "They got cooked in the fire and a lot of customers came and ate them up," said the Wabbit ruefully. Lapinette slapped a paw to her head and groaned. "Look, the fire was very small and that nice fireman put it out with a single extinguisher," said the Wabbit.  "So how many lunches do you owe the emergency services now?" asked Lapinette. "Eleven," smiled the Wabbit,  "I'm a legend in their own lunchtime."

The Wabbit and the Many Maps

The Wabbit and Lapinette met to look at maps. The secret map of the Agents of Rabit contained a list of references to other maps, so Lapinette produced  her Big Map Box and emptied it on the table. “What about the original map?” enquired the Wabbit.  Lapinette pointed to her head. “I memorised it,” she exclaimed, “and then it was eaten.” “Oh,” said the Wabbit and he tried to think of what to say. “What did it taste like?” he asked finally. “I don’t know,” said Lapinette “I gave it to Big Blue Snail to eat. He said it was the most delicious map ever.” The Wabbit smiled and pored over the maps. “Greece, Germany, Ireland and ... Abu Dhabi,” he said with interest. “Abu Dhabi Agents of Rabit, “ sighed Lapinette.  “They certainly get around,” chuckled the Wabbit and he took some time to review all the locations on all of the maps. “I had one of these talking maps,” said the Wabbit suddenly. “Really, how did that work?” smiled Lapinette. “By satellite,” said the Wabbit. “You tell it where you want to go and it gives you  precise directions.”  “A GPS,”  said Lapinette. “I don’t know, it never worked for me,”  said the Wabbit. Lapinette looked questioningly and the Wabbit scowled. “Everywhere  I asked for,  it said, ”I’m as mystified as you.””

8. The Wabbit at the Zero Caffè

Lapinette was studying something very intently when the Wabbit arrived with his protégés in tow. "I present Mo and To, the MoTo Snails," said the Wabbit with pride. Lapinette assessed the Snails for quite some time. "How fast?" she asked eventually. "Oh around Mach 2," said the Wabbit in a matter-of-fact manner that suggested Mach 2 was routine for a snail.  "Wabbit!" shouted Lapinette. "Have you and Big Blue Snail been working in that shed again?" "We hired a garage," said the Wabbit innocently. Lapinette looked sternly at the Wabbit and then turned to the Snails. "Mo and To, are you quite happy with this turn of events?" she enquired softly. "Delighted," said Mo. "Critically delighted," said To. While Mo and To were wiggling their antennae in delight, the Wabbit seized the opportunity to ask what Lapinette was studying. "The Map," said Lapinette. "What map?" asked  To. "The locations of our wicked and vengeful enemies, the agents of Rabit," said Lapinette. To and Mo looked questioningly. "They would make sausages of us all," explained Lapinette.  "We’re against them!" shouted Mo. "Let's get 'em!" yelled To. "Now!" they cried in unison. Big Blue Snail shook his head. "I fear their youthful enthusiasm requires tempering by a mature and wise mind," he said. There was a thud as Lapinette slapped her menu on the table. "Well, I hope you’re not thinking of the Wabbit," she said.

7. The Wabbit and the Speed Trials

The Wabbit and friends crept out on a crisp, cold morning and scaled the heights of an old disused railway track that crossed the neighbourhood. Then the Wabbit produced a salvaged stop watch from his fur and set it to zero. "Start when I say go," said the Wabbit. But Mo and To had already gone. The Wabbit strained his eyes and he spotted a blue blur in the distance, getting steadily bigger. They were already on their way back! "Wow," thought the Wabbit to himself. "How fast were we?" breathed the Snails. "No-one knows," said the Wabbit, "because you left before I set my stop watch." "It felt fast," said To. "It was super fast!" said Mo. "It's unrecorded and doesn't count," said the Wabbit. Mo and To were properly crestfallen and the Wabbit took pity. "Think you can do it again?" smiled the Wabbit. Mo was already leaving but To quickly grabbed him back. "There will be a penalty for a false start," said the Wabbit. "What kind of a penalty?" asked Mo. The Wabbit hadn't really thought of a penalty but now he felt obliged to name one. So he thought and thought. "You have to go round again and it's added to your time," he said finally. "OK get ready, counting you down to zero," said the Wabbit. Both Mo and To gazed steadily at him.  "Zero," he said. There was an enormous rush of air and a loud crack as Mo and To left and arrived back.  "How were we?" said Mo and To. The Wabbit shook his stop watch free of broken glass. "You owe me a replacement," he grinned.

6. The Wabbit, Power, Traction and Slime

At a small garage not far from the Testaccio Market, the Wabbit and Big Blue Snail worked until night. The Wabbit aimed to improve the power and thrust of the MoTo Snails, whilst Big Blue Snail sought to enhance their slime production. They were seeing moderate success. "I'm increasing your power," said the Wabbit. "Excellent," said To. "To what end?" said Mo. "Speed and manoeuvrability," said the Wabbit. "Won't power make us go faster?" asked To. "To go faster you have to transfer your power to the road," said the Wabbit. "Your traction is critical," said Big Blue Snail, "otherwise you will spin round and round on your own slime." "Cool," said Mo and the Snails' antennae wiggled in delight. Big Blue Snail gave them a withering look and thought for a moment. "I need to make diet adjustments," he said and he vanished, quickly returning with a mixture of fruit, leaves, kale and mulberry. "Oh, do we have to?" asked Mo. Big Blue Snail added lettuce, artichoke, celeriac and tomato. "Mmmm, we have to," said To. "May I add something," said the Wabbit, delving in his fur. "Of course," said Big Blue Snail. The Wabbit took out a small packet and he added a homeopathic sprinkle. To and Mo wolfed the food with delight. "What's the added ingredient?" whispered Big Blue Snail. "Nitro," said the Wabbit. "Let's lay slime," said Big Blue Snail.

5. The Wabbit and the MoTo Snails

Next in the new Snails' education, was the market. "This is where snails assist in global recycling," said Big Blue Snail. "Look how blue the market has become," observed the Wabbit. "Here comes a blue snack now," said Big Blue Snail, "the traders are only too happy for us to eat their cardboard." "Perfect," said the first Snail in delight. "I'll wait and see how it goes," said the second suspiciously. The Wabbit smiled. "You require new names," he said. "I can't keep saying "You Snails" - it's rude." The new Snails pondered. "What makes you different from other snails?" asked Big Blue Snail. "We're fast Snails," they replied. "We're from Misano, near Rimini." said the first Snail. "We race the circuit there," said the second. "What's your best lap time?" asked the Wabbit, winking discreetly at Big Blue Snail. "One point three three," said the first Snail. The Wabbit's eyes widened and his ears began to quiver. "Minutes?" he asked. "Hours," said the second Snail. The Wabbit tried to keep a straight face. "Oh, that's respectably rapid, my good Wabbit," cautioned Big Blue Snail in an admonishing tone. "Then our new Snails are now Mo and To!" said the Wabbit swiftly, "they're the MoTo Snails!" The Snails wiggled their antennae joyfully. "Do your shells revolve by any chance?" asked the Wabbit shrewdly, pointing to their racy whirls. "We spin them for speed," they said together. The Wabbit turned to Big Blue Snail in excitement. "To the workshop!" he said.

4. The Wabbit and Anita Garibaldi

Big Blue Snail had decided that his admirers needed political education. The Wabbit was leading them all through the Villa Pamphili Park to the Gianicolo Hill but they hadn't gone far when they heard a neighing and whinnying and a stamping of hooves. Suddenly a statue of horse and rider appeared, blocking their path. The Wabbit hopped forward immediately with a welcoming paw. "You're supposed to be at the top of the Hill," he said. "We got fed up waiting," said the horse. "The Wabbit speaks with statues?" asked the new Snails. "They speak with him," said Big Blue Snail. The new Snails tried unsuccessfully to show they weren't impressed. "Listen youngsters," said the Wabbit. "This is Anita Garibaldi, escaping from the wicked enemy, carrying her new born child." "Oooooh," said the new Snails, "how brave!" "Was she against things?" asked one Snail. "She was for things," said the Wabbit. "She was for freedom and unity and we can learn from her." "What would you like to know, young Snails?" said Anita. "Will it take long to achieve freedom and unity?" asked the new Snails. "Do you love your species with all your heart?" said Anita. "Yes," chorused the new Snails  "Prepare for hardship, battles and ultimately triumph," said Anita. The Snails looked suitably chastened. Anita turned to the Wabbit. "We shall meet again, Commander," she said. "For new triumphs," replied the Wabbit and he waved his paw. Both horse and rider vanished and all that remained of their presence was the sound of galloping.

3. The Wabbit and the New Snail Model Army

Up on the Villa Pamphili, the Wabbit introduced the new Snails to his blue comapanion. "Who are those two?" asked Big Blue Snail. "Those," said the Wabbit, "are the self-styled New Model Snail Army." "They'll need to smarten up," said Big Blue Snail. "Come come," responded the Wabbit. "They do have a certain je ne sais quoi."  Big Blue Snail snorted. Adopting a imperious tone he addressed the pair. "Fellow Snails!" he commanded. "We must make a great leap forward!" "Now! Now! Now!" chanted the new Snails. Big Blue Snail turned and looked at the Wabbit questioningly but the Wabbit merely winked at him. So Big Blue Snail slid up and down several times in front of the snails, then turned to address them directly. "Now," he said, "is this very moment." The new Snails stared at him. "Now, is all that has been before," said Big Blue Snail. The new Snails slid backwards slightly and gaped. "Now, is the sum of all our opportunities in the future," said Big Blue Snail. The new Snails gasped incredulously. "All at the very same time?" they queried. Big Blue Snail gave a single, short and rather grave nod. The two looked at each other for what seemed to the Wabbit like an age. "Cool!" they breathed softly.

2. The Wabbit and the Alternative Snails

The Wabbit hopped along the street until he caught up with two large blue Snails. "Hey you two," he shouted. "You're not the original Big Blue Snail!" The Snails turned and tried to menace the Wabbit, but the Wabbit was not to be menaced. "Now look you Snails," said the Wabbit. "You'd better explain what's going on. Or there'll be trouble." "Um, OK," said one Snail. "We are the advance guard of the Alternative Snail Army." "The New Model Snail Army," said the other. "What do you stand for?" asked the Wabbit. "We're not exactly sure," said the first Snail. "But we're against things," said the second. The Wabbit shook his head. "You Snails have to be clear," he said "or no-one will know what you want." "We're against oppression and we want Snail freedom," said the first Snail. "It's a bit general," said the Wabbit. "We want Snail Rights," said the second Snail. "What are these rights?" asked the Wabbit gently. "The right to be left alone and supplied with plenty of leaves, fruit and cardboard," said the first Snail. "Seems reasonable," said the Wabbit, "so let's start. I'll shout a question and you respond." "OK," said the Snails. The Wabbit hunched his shoulders and put his head back. "What do we want?" he bellowed. "Rights for Snails!" they yelled back. "When do we want them?" yelled the Wabbit. "In due course!" shouted the Snails. The Wabbit slapped a paw to his head. "You Snails need training," he muttered.

1. The Wabbit at Loose End

The Wabbit hopped all around the city and eventually admitted that he was at a loose end. He looked about and all he could see was concrete. "I'm going to call this place Loose End," thought the Wabbit and he dug his paws deep into his fur. A warm south wind blew through the cold air. It was a very strange wind that carried a red grit that got in the Wabbit's eyes and made them sting. The Wabbit was unsettled. "Sometimes the city seems friendly and sometimes it doesn't," he thought. But this was a time when the city seemed indifferent, and above all other things, the Wabbit hated indifference. "I need something to do," thought the Wabbit. But the Wabbit reasoned that if he consulted his to-do list, he would find he had so many duties to perform. So he burrowed his paws further into his fur and resolved not to think about lists. "I need  a success," thought the Wabbit. "Maybe even a great triumph," he thoughtfully added. And he scuffed the street with his feet and leaned back against the iron fence. But the Wabbit knew one thing. He knew that little came from leaning against iron fences. So he squinted his eyes and he stared and he thought until his brain raced. And as he looked at the traffic passing routinely along the street he noticed something odd. "Now what the binky is that?" thought the Wabbit.

The Wabbit and the Art Adventure Caffè

The beach at Fregene was deserted except for the Wabbit and Skratch and Lapinette. Lapinette smiled as she took delivery of the painting and her ears twitched in delight. "A job well done," she said. "Oh yes of course," said the Wabbit. "Just our usual. And is everyone having the usual?" Skratch’s tail quivered with anticipation. "The painting, the painting, what about this sought after painting?" he shouted. The Wabbit poured a glass of hot milk for Skratch and looked at Lapinette. "Skratch wants to know what’s so special about the painting," he said. "The painting," said Lapinette, "is the first in a series called Wabbitlands." "Very nice of its type," said Skratch. "But Skratch wants to know ..." said the Wabbit.  "... what’s so special?" smiled Lapinette. "About the painting!" yelled Skratch. Lapinette giggled. "Hidden behind the painting is a map of all the locations of our enemies, the despicable Agents of Rabit," she said with satisfaction. Skratch leaned forward sharply. "We could have taken the map from the back of the painting," he said. "That would have given the game away," said Lapinette, "because the Euls didn’t know it was there." "And besides," said the Wabbit, "it's a nice picture." "In an extremely heavy frame," said Skratch. "You were a work of art, carrying a work of art," said the Wabbit. Skratch smiled a big smile. "My art belongs to Dada," he purred. 

10. The Wabbit's Last Submarine Home

Up on the Hillside not so far away, the ghouls and the ghosts and the Euls gathered themselves together and  grumbled about the loss of the painting, whilst safe and sound in Dalkey Harbour, the friends caught the last submarine home. They had been waiting patiently at the dockside when it suddenly surfaced, much to the surprise of the fishermen who normally used the small port. "Coming with us Ghost Bunny?" asked the Wabbit affectionately. "I always wanted to sail in a submarine," said Ghost Bunny. "I heard that we're going to Abu Dhabi!" "Always!" said the Wabbit and he grinned a big grin. The Wabbit turned to Skratch and shook him by the paw. "Thank you Skratch, you showed commendable enterprise." "It was most enjoyable and I wouldn't have missed it for a cat's ransom," said Skratch, "but what’s so special about the painting?" "That’s a very long story for later," said the Wabbit. "The most important thing is that we have it and the Euls don’t have it and if we have what they don’t have, and they know we have it, it’s better all round." The Wabbit tended to make Skratch’s head spin with this kind of talk, but this time Skratch just laughed and laughed.  "So what are we going to do now, Commander?" he asked. "Run Silent, Run Deep!" smiled the Wabbit.

9. The Wabbit and the Delayed Ghost

Skratch and the Wabbit powered down the slope with the painting but they heard nothing behind them so they both stopped and turned. "I was expecting more chasing and chanting" said the Wabbit. "I can’t see a thing," said Skratch. They both stared at the old haunted Hellfire Club and rubbed their eyes until they were sore. "Strange," said the Wabbit. “Curious,” said Skratch. "Well, I’ll just put this heavy painting down," said the Wabbit, "it’s making my shoulder ache." "Maybe we should go while the going is good," said Skratch cautiously. Suddenly they heard a terrible shriek and they ducked as Ghouls flew in all directions. They saw Euls flee from the house and tumble down the incline one after the other. Then, after what seemed like an age, an enormous white shape rose slowly and somewhat elegantly from behind the ancient stone walls. It dwarfed the rooftops and as it spread its ghostly wings, it issued a chilling scream that carved the air. It wailed and wailed until the brickwork trembled and tree branches bent backwards in the rush of air that followed the dreadful sound. "Disturbing," said the Wabbit and he clapped his paws. "And perturbing," said Skratch and he flicked his tail.  "What took you so long, Ghost Bunny?" said the Wabbit. “Paperwork,” howled Ghost Bunny. 

8. The Wabbit and the Great Escape

The Wabbit flinched as with a single sudden movement Skratch grabbed the precious painting and launched himself into the stairwell. "Yaaah!" shouted Skratch as he plunged down through the Ghouls and past the Euls to the hallway below. Now the Wabbit was left surrounded by three Ghouls, and he gasped as one started to chew his ear. But the Wabbit knew one thing. He could talk his way out of it. "Halt!" he yelled and to his surprise, the Ghouls did halt. "Why was the ghost thrown out of the Liverpool football team?" he enquired. "Duh," said the first spectre. "Dunno," said the second. "I give up," said the third. "He scored an own ghoul," said the Wabbit. Transfixed, the Ghouls began to shake with fury. They bared their ghastly teeth and drooled from their gaping cavities. "You can't say that about Liverpool," screeched the first Ghoul. "You'll never haunt alone?" suggested the Wabbit. "Kill him for his bad jokes," shouted the second Ghoul." "Be seeing you," said the Wabbit and he hopped out over the rails and cartwheeled through the air. "I hate it when he says that," screamed the third Ghoul. "Rend him asunder!" cried another as they flew at the Wabbit. But the Wabbit made an elegant landing given the conditions - and together he and Skratch fled from the Hellfire Club pursued by their demonic foes. "What's rend asunder?" shouted Skratch. "I hope it's a race horse," yelled the Wabbit.

7. The Wabbit and the old Ghoul

The pair bounded upstairs and into the large room. "Waaaah!" said an apparition which seemed to emerge from the very walls of the Hellfire Club. "Put up your dukes, you feckless fiend!" shouted Skratch, bunching his paws into fists. "Let's see what you're made of!" "He's not made of anything," said the Wabbit, "he's a hologram." Skratch let fly and hit the ghoul on the chin with a hay maker punch, but his paw passed right through the bones. "We meet again my furry friends," said the Ghoul in a jocular voice. Skratch looked at the Wabbit quizzically. "Oh, really. Don't encourage it, let's just take the painting," said the Wabbit. "You may have the painting, It's you we want, Commander Wabbit," said the Ghoul. "Ignore him, he's only a recording, Skratch. Lend me a paw here," said the Wabbit. "this painting is quite heavy." "Are you sure it's a recording?" said Skratch. The Wabbit heaved a sigh, hopped across and addressed the Ghoul directly. "You look like a rummage sale," said the Wabbit and he made a rude sign with his paw. "I prefer boutique," said the Ghoul. "Aaaaagh!" shouted Skratch and the Wabbit as they dived on the painting. They staggered under its weight but dragged it to the top of the stairs at lightning speed. "Do you see what I see?" said Skratch. Six ghastly Ghouls drifted up the stairwell with the Euls crowding close behind.

6. The Wabbit and the God of Hell Fire

Skratch the Cat threw his paws in the air and a mighty boom shook the cavernous room. "My name is Lucy Fur!" he cried, "and I am the God of Hell Fire!" "He brings you fire," whispered the Wabbit. Skratch wheeled round ferociously. "Underlings, I apologise for my assistant, Soul Fur," said Skratch, "he is mercifully free from the ravages of intelligence." The Wabbit grinned and crept close to the fire. "Cold night, cold nose," he said inanely and clapped his paws. Skratch whirled back to address the cowed Euls. "I came for my winnings," he said. There was a murmuring and a whispering. "My winnings!" shouted Skratch. "Where's my winnings? I see no winnings! There's supposed to be winnings!" Skratch's shadow grew taller and taller. "Winnings, winnings, winnings!" he yelled and he jumped up and down. "Produce the winnings and we can all go home," said the Wabbit softly and he moved even closer to the fire. "I want my painting now," said Skratch in a dark, menacing tone. This time there was a terrible moan from the gathering. "Give me back my painting!" screeched Skratch and stamped and stamped. "He's not the devil, no cloven feet," shouted a Eul. "Oh, that's just an urban folk myth," said the Wabbit and he flicked something into the fire. "Upstairs Skratch!" he shouted as the room filled with fumes. "Smokin'" yelled Skratch.

5. The Wabbit and the Hellfire Club

At the top of the hill, the air was cold and clouds drifted across a strange moonless night. "My fur feels weird," said Skratch as he clung to the rough, sloping roof. "Mine too," said the Wabbit. "Where's Ghost Bunny?" asked Skratch. "On her way," said the Wabbit. "Shall we wait then?" said Skratch. "No," said the Wabbit. "Lets just go in." "Shall we knock?" asked Skratch. "We shall sweep in as if we owned the place," said the Wabbit. "You look a bit a devil, Skratch, so now you're the devil and you've come for your stuff." "What stuff?" said Skratch. "Your gambling winnings from card games," said the Wabbit, "Talk tough and show no mercy." "What about you?" said Skratch. "I will be your hopeless assistant." said the Wabbit. "Make fun of me and I will distract them." "I'm going to enjoy this," said Skratch. "Don't get used to it," said the Wabbit and he shivered as a drawn out groan issued from the depths of the building and echoed painfully around the roof. Gales of laughter pealed from the house and and flame spat from the window, blackening the stonework. "Let's go, my genial fool," said Skratch with a grim smile. "The devil always gets the best lines," said the Wabbit ruefully. Silently they dropped from the roof and swept through the dark entrance.

4. The Wabbit Investigates a Castle

As Skratch the Cat Burglar scaled the heights of the old abandoned castle, the Wabbit kept a look out. "What news?" he whispered into his radio. "Hang on Wabbit and I'll get a better hold," said Skratch as he scrabbled for grip on the slippery stone surface. "Take your time, what can you hear?" said the Wabbit. "It's the Euls, I can hear them laughing," said Skratch. "What about the valuable painting?" hissed the Wabbit. "They're talking about it now," said Skratch. "There's a bit of chat about Abstract Impressionism," he added. "Pshaw!" said the Wabbit. "We're not here for a seminar, Wabbit," said Skratch. "Wait a second, they said something about Wabbit Affairs then giggled." "Can you see them now?" asked the Wabbit. "Yes," said Skratch, "they're looking at glossy art books and pointing." "A kick in the arts is what these Euls need," said the Wabbit, "can you see our painting?" "It's not there," said Skratch, "it's somewhere else." "Grrrr! Where?" shouted the Wabbit. "Shhhh," said Skratch. There was a long silence while the Wabbit listened. Then the radio crackled. "It's the Hellfire Club. The painting is there." said Skratch. "The Carrot Club?" asked the Wabbit hopefully. "Hellfire!" said Skratch. Another silence fell and the Wabbit was glad Skratch couldn't see his face. "Hello Wabbit are you there? Hello?" said Skratch urgently. Suddenly the radio spluttered. "I was calling in Ghost Bunny," said the Wabbit.

3. The Wabbit Lands

"I know where we are!" said the Wabbit. "Abu Dhabi!" said Skratch. "Submariners call everything Abu Dhabi," said the Wabbit. You've been had. This is Baile Atha Cliath." "Whosit?" asked Skratch. "Dublin," said the Wabbit and he grinned broadly with all of his 28 teeth. "I know my way around, Skratch," he said cheerfully. The Wabbit shook water from his fur and thought for a moment. "What are we doing here?" he asked. "We are here," said Skratch ponderously, "to retrieve an old painting, highly valued by the Department of Wabbit Affairs." "Ah," said the Wabbit as if he had known all along. "It's being held by our enemies in a secret location." said Skratch. "Then lets go and get it," said the Wabbit, drying his fur by patting it with his paws then watching the droplets fall on the dockside. "How shall we pass ourselves off?" asked Skratch. "We're poets," said the Wabbit. "There's more poets round here than you can shake a stick at." "But what if someone asks me to say something," asked Skratch. "Speak in rhyming couplets," said the Wabbit. "I am a burglar, name of Skratch," offered Skratch. "Now there's a cat they'll never catch," said the Wabbit. They grinned at each other. "What about our Canadian helpers?" asked Skratch. "Undersea poets," said the Wabbit. "From Wablantis," said Skratch. "You'll do well," said the Wabbit.

2. The Wabbit and the Torpedoes

"Skratch! I wasn't expecting you on board," said the Wabbit with the utmost surprise. "All hush hush," said Skratch. "The Department has made this mission part of my rehabilitation programme." "I didn't know it had one," said the Wabbit. "Oh yes," said Skratch. "I am officially in charge of getting stolen things back." "And how will you get these things back?" said the Wabbit. "Steal them," said Skratch. "I do hope you didn't steal that hat," said the Wabbit. "I borrowed it from the Weapon Engineer. I wanted to look right," said Skratch. "Well, if you want to get ahead get a hat," smiled the Wabbit. "So what's our ultimate destination Skratch?" "Hush, hush," said Skratch. "Will it take long?" asked the Wabbit. "Hush hush," said Skratch. "There's an echo in here," said the Wabbit with exasperation. "Echo in here?" said Skratch. The Wabbit chuckled for a while. "How do they propose to get us on shore, wherever it is?" he mused. "With these torpedoes," said Skratch. The Wabbit's fur raised somewhat. "They're going to fire us out of the submarine in torpedoes?" he asked. "One each. Boom, boom!" said Skratch. The Wabbit frowned. "Of course not Wabbit, we just have to swim out through the tubes," laughed Skratch. "I want a hat," sulked the Wabbit.

1. The Wabbit goes to Sea

It was cold on the beach despite the sun and blue sky. The Wabbit shivered and listened to the chatter of Lapinette's helichopper engines fade. Before long he could hear the muffled sound of another set of engines and a submarine suddenly surfaced in what the Wabbit thought had been shallow waters. As usual, the Wabbit had only the barest of clues about his new mission. "You'll be briefed on the journey," Lapinette had told him. The Wabbit thought that was all very well, but he knew the journey would have been more comfortable by car. He barely tolerated submarines, because he couldn't look out from the bridge and shout instructions into a telephone. But the journey was to be conducted under the heaviest secrecy and no shouting was allowed. He would have to put up with it. So the Wabbit hopped into his small boat and made his way out. "Permission to board," called the Wabbit, saluting the ensign. "Come aboard Sir," said the Captain. Where submarines were concerned, the Wabbit always worried that things might break off, so he dealt with that first. "Angles and dangles, when you're ready," he chirped. "They don't like such manoeuvres in these waters, Sir," said the Captain. "They'll never know," said the Wabbit, "Crash dive when there's room." "Trim party," shouted the Captain to the crew. "Party already? Mine's an aperitivo," said the Wabbit.

The Wabbit's Drama Adventure Caffe

The Wabbit and Lapinette waited patiently for Skratch the Cat Burglar and Robot to join them. "What you both so long?" enquired Lapinette. "We were signing autographs at the stage door," said Skratch. "You predicted a riot," said Lapinette, turning to the Wabbit. "In the old days we would have had to scurry out of town before the trouble started," nodded the Wabbit knowledgeably. "What on earth for?" said Lapinette. "Having seen the play," said the Wabbit, "the apprentices would riot against social injustice and demand cheaper carrots."  "I think I can hear them now," said Lapinette and she twitched her ears. Everyone looked round and round then laughed. "Nice flowers," said the Wabbit. "Where did they come from?" "An unknown admirer," said Lapinette. "The Duck of Milan?" smiled the Wabbit. "Wabbit, they came from Giuliano Pisapia, and it's the Mayor these days, not a Duke," said Lapinette. "Oooh, where's my flowers?" asked the Wabbit. "You can have these," said Lapinette. "No, I'd give all my fame for a pot of aperitivo," said the Wabbit. "What about you Skratch?" "Latte caldo of course," said Skratch. "What's your poison?" asked the Wabbit of Robot who was making a grating sound. "Rubbing alcohol and cotton buds," said Robot.

6. The Wabbit takes a Bow

"How strange or odd some'er I bear myself, as I perchance hereafter shall think meet. To put an antic disposition on!" said the Wabbit sighing with relief to be at the end of his play. "I thought his lines were most trippingly spoken, the most antic of us all," said Lapinette pointing at Skratch. Skratch waved at the audience and smiled a broad grin. "When words are scarce they're hardly spent in vain and even though a cat, I had my day" said Skratch. "And I could smile and smile and be a villain," droned Robot. "But what occurs?" said the Wabbit. "The page is female, not a boy. She wore her gender in the fashion of a hat and all were fooled." "I was not fooled," said Robot, "but didst play along for fun and interest." "And now we must strip off the motley which we donned in jest and to our offstage lives return," said the Wabbit. "Doubtless, thou meanest to a hostelry repair for sustenance and aperitivi?" asked Lapinette. "I certainty doest," said the Wabbit. "Then let us not stand on the order of our going and proceed forthwith," said Skratch. So they all bowed low to the audience several times and exited the stage to much applause - and there were no catcalls whatsoever.

5. The Wabbit and Leonardo's Tank

[The friends have taken the Inquisitor inside Leonardo's Cat's invention] " See thou," said the Wabbit, pointing around. "This is but a simple device composed of cogs and wheels. There is no sorcery here." "Just science as hard and cold as the forged metal of these blades," said Leonardo's Cat. Lapinette looked up through the tank's lookout hatch. "But soft," she said, "what light through yonder turret breaks? It speaks and says yet nothing." "Then like the light, we will say nothing of the matter," said the Inquisitor and clapped his hands. "Inquisitor, there is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so," said the Wabbit. "Then I find that this is good," said the Inquisitor. "Yet my thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am nor what I do. Does this house move?" "In any direction," said Leonardo's Cat. "if the screws be turned." "Then let us turn them and a new direction find," said the Inquisitor. "'Tis best 'tis we who turn the screws and that our paws do hardly suffer in their turning," said the Wabbit, glancing shrewdly at the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor nodded gracefully enough - and turned to look somewhat cautiously at Leonardo's Cat. Lapinette clapped her paws in applause. "All's well that ends well," she said with a smile.

4. The Wabbit and the Inquisition

[The scene is Leonardo's Cat's house where he is displaying his tank-like military invention to his new friends. Suddenly from stage left, Robot's electronic voice booms out.] "I am the Inquisition. You will be exterminated!" "Excommunicated," hissed the Wabbit. "You will be excommunicated," said Robot, "for sorcery." "But he is no sorcerer," said the Wabbit. "He is but a friendly fool who knows not his own mind yet plays with it as a cat plays with a ball of wool." "He has built a magic house the like of which has not been seen," said Robot, "and we will have none of it." Just at that very moment, Lapinette emerged from Leonardo's Cat's tank. "Oh what a splendid place to meeteth and greeteth," said Lapinette. "I will inform my master so and he will order three score. "And who is your master, youthful page?" asked Robot. "Lodovico Sforza," said Lapinette. "The Duke of Milan," said the Wabbit. "We play skittles together then indulge in a game of primero with biscottini thereafter." "And that is what this tank is for," said Lapinette. "It's for knocking down skittles from afar." "Though this be madness yet there's method in't" said Robot but he was interrupted by a yowling from above. "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I," meaowed Leonardo's Cat, "see how the Cat doth caper." And with that he screeched and frantically waved his paws. "What a caterwauling do you keep here?" asked Robot. "Now there's a cat that really is gone," said the Wabbit.

3. The Wabbit & Leonardo's Flying Machine

Lapinette flung her legs akimbo and threw her hat in the air. "Wheee!" she cried as they took off from the top of a building. "Lo, we doth bestride the narrow world," yelled Leonardo's Cat. "What dost this lever?" asked the Wabbit, who was poking around. "It takes us up or down," said Leonardo's Cat. "Oh does it really?" said the Wabbit with enthusiasm and he pulled it. The plane soared high by the rooftops and soon people on the ground looked like tiny models. "What other inventions dost thou have under thy hat?" said the Wabbit. "Nothing much," said Leonardo's Cat. "Well, what?" asked the Wabbit. "A heli-chopper, a tank, a submarine, a steam powered cannon, a hydraulic pump and a thing for taking boy scouts out of horses hooves," said Leonardo's Cat. "Gadzooks!" said the Wabbit. "What do you do with them all?" "I test them," said Leonardo's Cat. "I boasteth not and make my notes in Latin so the Inquisition pays no heed." "What do people say?" said the Wabbit, as he looked down at the small figures below. "They laugh like drains," said Leonardo's cat, "which suits my purpose well." "What then is your purpose?" said the Wabbit. "To have a lot of fun," said Leonardo's Cat. The Wabbit pulled the lever one more time. "Wheeee!" cried Lapinette as the plane shot in the air.

2. The Wabbit and Leonardo's Cat

"Look!" said Lapinette. "There's Leonardo's Cat, who carries on his master's work using old notes." "What it that flying contraption?" said the Wabbit under his breath. "It is a flying bird," said Leonardo's cat, who's hearing was sharp. "I oft observed these winged demons go about the tormentation of my species and so made my own." "That they should torment you further?" asked the Wabbit. "No! So that I could pursue them farther," said the Cat. The Wabbit whispered to Lapinette. "Let's ask him if he has a larger one with levers and pulleys." "I wish you would address me here, and I will answer you directly," said Leonardo's Cat. "I have a larger version and I did labour long and hard in its creation." "No rude mechanical you, that sports an asses head!" said the Wabbit and ruffled his ruffle. Lapinette span around and slapped her thigh twice. "Let us stout men repair to your abode and make merry with your bird machine." she said. "It's not finished," said Leonardo's Cat. "We may assist you complete your arduous task," suggested the Wabbit. "Then I will lead the way," said Leonardo's Cat." "Oh, let's go paw in paw, not one before another," said Lapinette. And so they did.

1. The Wabbit: Waiting for Leonardo

[Hush! Here comes the Wabbit and he is late for Leonardo. He spies what he thinks is a comely young man and enquires of him the situation.] "Young page, passes Leonardo da Vinci this way perchance?" said the Wabbit. Lapinette waved her hat across her face and quietly murmured. "Good Sir. Leonardo oft times passed, but now more often not, since he has passed his last." The Wabbit looked at the young man and there was surely something familiar about this page. "I have some time, and I will wait," shrugged the Wabbit. "Then you may wait some time," laughed Lapinette and slapped her side. "What is time but our perception of its passing?" said the Wabbit sagely. "Time with some fool hangs heavy as an iron coat," said Lapinette, "to be worn for a lifetime's duration." "Yet time with you is fleeting," said the Wabbit who was enjoying the company of the young page. "Then lets us wait together," said Lapinette, "and note what happens." "It's as if this is a stage and we are merely players, waiting to deliver our lines," said the Wabbit. Lapinette hopped forward and doffed her cap. "But the play's the thing," she said.

The Wabbit and the Better Adventure Café

The Wabbit listened as Lapinette regaled him about what a nice café she had found. She was saying that not many people knew of it, when the Wabbit saw a waiter approaching. "Commander, how nice to see you!" said the waiter. "Oh, hello," said the Wabbit quietly. "Wabbit Special as usual?" asked the waiter. "Make it two," said the Wabbit diplomatically. Lapinette looked at the Wabbit as their aperitivi arrived and she draped herself across a chair. "I'm forced to come here from time to time," said the Wabbit apologetically. "And forced to drink carrot aperitivo from a wine glass?" said Lapinette sternly. "I fly in the face of convention," said the Wabbit. "You daredevil," laughed Lapinette. "What kind of adventure was that anyway?" she said. "Oh merely a star vehicle," said the Wabbit. "because there was little tension but lots of colour and interest." "Who was the star?" asked Lapinette coyly. "Oh you, without a doubt," said the Wabbit, who was anxious to make amends for knowing the café. "What did you put in the Skuttle's wine?" asked Lapinette. "Nitro," replied the Wabbit. "Oh, nitrous oxide," said Lapinette with a giggle. "No, it was nitroglycerin." said the Wabbit. "Crumbs!" said Lapinette and she picked up her glass and sniffed it. "Another cocktail of my own," said the Wabbit. "What's in it?" said Lapinette. "Nitro," said the Wabbit. Lapinette tasted it. "Delicious," she said.