Date:         Wed, 29 Jun 1994 00:59:52 EDT
From:         Laura Whaples
 
 
 
 
          CAN Nick Follow LaCroix's Instructions???
 A Little Bit of Hissstory, or, Whatever Happened to Daniel?
 
 
by my Evil Twin
 
-------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
"What's this?"  Nicholas picked up a curious, tall green can
from the back shelf of LaCroix's closet.
 
Janette looked over his shoulder.  "I don't know.  It's
something LaCroix brought back for Daniel."
 
"For Daniel? _LaCroix_ bought something for Daniel?"
 
"Yes, strange isn't it?"
 
"There he is now," Nick said, as LaCroix slipped in the door,
dressed in his natty military uniform.
 
"LaCroix," Janette called, "didn't you buy this for Daniel?"
She held up the tall can.
 
LaCroix took off his hat and threw it onto the divan.  "Why
would I buy something for that tedious little brat?"
 
"But you did."  Janette brought the can out to him.
 
"Oh."  LaCroix's lips twitched into a wicked smile.  "That.
Yes."
 
"So you _did_ buy it for Daniel?  Why don't you give it to
him?"
 
"Maybe I will, after I let him out of the basement."
 
"That's so cruel, LaCroix," Nick frowned.  "All he did was put
garlic powder in your snuff-box."
 
LaCroix glared at him.  "I _told_ you to never bring that
incident up _again_, Nicholas."
 
Janette stifled a giggle.  "He's just a practical joker,
LaCroix.  He didn't mean any harm."
 
"What _is_ it, LaCroix?"  Nick was dying to know what was in
the can.  "Something to eat?"
 
"No," said LaCroix.  "Not exactly.  Just put it back where you
found it."
 
"Can't I look inside?"
 
"_No_."  LaCroix had promised to take Janette out dancing, and
he impatiently looked at his watch.  "Enough of this.  Are you
ready yet, Janette?"
 
"Yes."  She picked up her gold pocket-book.  "Are you _sure_
you don't want to come, Nicola?"
 
"Not tonight."  Nick could not take his eyes off the green
can.
 
When LaCroix and Janette had gone, he went to put the can back
in LaCroix's closet, but as he reached up to the top shelf, he
stopped.  LaCroix would never know if he just took a peek.
Carefully, he carried the can over to the lamp and began to uncap
it.  He had barely turned the lid one complete turn when it flew
out of his hand, smashing the lamp and knocking it to the floor.
A long, green spring snake shot out of the jar and into Nick's
face.  "Akkkkkkkkkkkkk!"
 
_Damn_ that LaCroix!
 
Suddenly, the telephone rang.  Frantically, Nick tried to
stuff the snake back into the can, but he couldn't, and the phone
kept ringing.  "Damn," he muttered, carrying the snake with him to
pick up the receiver.
 
"Yeah?" he asked rudely, struggling with the snake with his
free hand.  In the background, he could hear the sound of laughter
and a band playing "In the Mood."
 
LaCroix's voice came through the ear-piece.  He sounded very
smug.  "Nicholas, put down the snake, and we'll talk."
 
(A snake story).