VOICES:

-Scout: John Travolta (teenage voice)

-Joey: ?

-Carface: Vic Tayback (ADGTH)

 

 

The rat races were crowded with dogs. Small dogs, big dogs, brown dogs, black dogs, and a bunch of different breeds. I really didn't know if I could get outa there. But I decided to stay for a while, win some money. The rats were neck and neck. Before everyone knew it, a called Red Feet crossed the finish line first. Dogs cheered. (those who betted for him of course) I sat howled around like the rest of them. Then I ran over to the betting table to collect my prize. Joey was at the betting table.

 

"Well Joey, what do know, what do you say, yay?"

 

"Yay. But life is no yay, nay?" the Doberman said. He tossed me a piece of meat. I picked it up and ate it.

 

"Well, I have to say, if you could go with the whole life thing again, would you do it?" I said licking my chops.

 

"No. It's a huge no"

 

"Why?" I asked. "Ya think life is to hard to bare?"

 

"No." he said with a snort. "Business is to hard to bare"

 

I laughed.

 

"Joey, seriously. Business is one of the most best things to go after. You don't just become Mr. Happy Go Lucky and win money"

 

"Well it is for me" he scoffed.

 

I covered my face with my paw. This guy didn't get it. He could be so happy with the money making he's doin. Then he says life is no piece of cake. But, bussiness would be business. You can't change that.

 

"Hey Joey"

 

"What?"

 

I grinned an evil smile.

 

"Would you like to come learn what business is all about?"

 

Joey gave a small dog a piece of meat. He turned to me with glaring eyes. He closed them for a minute. Then he spoke.

 

"Where?"

 

"At the old mine, down the road. They have great gold, diamonds there too"

 

Joey raised an eyebrow.

 

"Really? You want to rob an old mine shaft?"

 

I nodded.

 

Joey took a deep breath.

 

"I'm in"

 

"Great! Then I will be able to drag it all out with you. You could learn somethin"

 

"What time, and where at?"

 

I pointed at a place on a small map behind him.

 

"Meet me at 10:00 PM sharp, at the mines"

 

He nodded. I returned it.

 

"See ya tonight" Joey called.

 

"Later" I called back.

 

On my way to my owners house, I thought about my plan on how to get the gold. For... myself.

 

*         *          *

 

Joey came to the mines a few minutes late. But who could blame him? Carface gives him double shifts all the time. He couldn't help that.

 

"Your late" I growled.

 

Joey made a face. It was like he was staring at something a dog had done in the middle of the road.

 

"I was held back by Carface! I can't help it! At least I have a job!" he growled.

 

"Alright! Alright! You don't need to yell! We need to be quite at all times!" I screamed.

 

"I just have one question" Joey said. "If we're trying to sneak around without anyone know'in, why are you yelling!"

 

"Shushup!" I yelled.

 

Joey growled.

 

"You wanna go?" he asked circling me.

 

I growled.

 

"Even if you want to fight me, you'd loose pal"

 

Joey snarled.

 

"Let's go, I don't have time to fight. I need that gold"

 

"I?"

 

"Um... we. Yeah, I said we. You need to see a vet to check your ears Joey" I said.

 

"Be quite! Now let's go"

 

I breathed a sigh of relief. That was close. If Joey ever found out I was getting the gold for myself, I was a dead dog.

 

We walked inside the mines. It was dark and cold in there. Made shivers run down my spine. I tried to ignore the sound of the bats, but I couldn't help feeling frightned. Dark walls with mud on thier sides made a horrible smell. It smelled of maggots in there. I felt like I was going to be sick. Old wooden boards were balancing to hold up the whole shaft. If it fell on us, we would be goners. We kept walking 'till we found an open space with a sqeaking of mice. Joey shivered. I could tell he was scared. Even I was scared. The open space had boards on the ground. Mice were chewing on the leather strings that were left behind from the men that used to come inside. Then, I heard a deep rumble sound that made me jump out of my skin. Joey jumped back too.

 

"Well then," he said. "We are in here. So, let's look for the gold."

 

"Alright. You take that path. I'll take this path"

 

We headed our ways and started to look around. I let my nose drop and I sniffed around, looking for some gold to sniff. It seemed like hours. Then I saw something that made me shut off my breath. Gold!

 

"Gold! I found gold!" I whispered to myself.

 

I quickly picked it up. It was shining all over. I laughed.

 

"Oh baby! Your my one ticket to own Carface's place!" I said.

 

I picked up all the gold I could find. I ran around sniffing like crazy. Then, I tore out of that place! I ran around the whole mine! I found the exit, and ran out'a there, with the gold. My gold.

 

*          *          *

 

The next day came along fast. I didn't know where Joey was. And I could care less. I figured I could make a deal with Carface to buy the Rat Races place. It was a great deal. I could bet on a rat, win the money, and start a deal with Carface. I would ask him if I could buy the Rat place. Then, if I had too, I'll buy it at Carface's price.

 

The Rat Races were crowded, as usual. I looked around to try to find him. Then, I spotted him. He was talking to Joey!

 

"Aw rats! Now I won't be able to talk to him!"

 

I tried to manover around the two, but it didn't work. Joey kept talking. He looked mean, and mad! He had a scowl on his face. He looked grumpy. His coat was all matted too. I saw bruises on his arms and legs. What happened? I tried not to be seen. But a voice shouted.

 

"Scout! How nice of you to join us! Joey go get us some drinks. Come here. I need to talk to you"

 

"Who me?" I called over my back.

 

"Yes, you." said the voice.

 

I knew I had to go over. I turned around and started to walk over to them. Joey was gone. Carface was right in front of me. I sat right next to him.

 

"Hello Carface"

 

Hello Scout. I see Joey said some stories about you" He said. He lifted his head and started to puff smoke out of his mouth.

 

"Well, yeah. We took a small tour in the mines."

 

"Tour eh?"

 

"Yeah Carface. A tour. What else would we do?"

 

"Look for gold" said a voice. I turned my head slowly.

 

Joey was right behind me.

 

"We were in the mines and Scout ran off"

 

I shook my head.

 

"Of course not! We were in there to look around" I scoffed.

 

Joey growled.

 

"Well Carface. Scout left me inside with the bats and the mice. They turned on me, and attacked"

 

Carface petended to feel sorry.

 

"That's to bad Joey. Really bad" He turned to me.

 

"Did you really leave him?"

 

I grinned.

 

"I did find gold"

 

Carface's eyes lifted. Joey's mouth came wide open. He looked funny.

 

"You said-"

 

"I found gold" I cut him off.

 

"Where?"

 

"In the old mine. Where Joey and I were taking a tour"

 

"Really?"

 

"Yeah. I could go in there and get it for you, if..."

 

"If?" he repeated.

 

"You let me own this place"

 

Carface growled.

 

"No way! It's my place for business!"

 

I shot a sly smile at him.

 

"Fine. I won't show you where I found it"

 

Carface stared at me. Then said.

 

"Ok. You can have this place. If you bring the gold to me. All of it!" he snarled.

 

"Sure thing" I said.

 

With that, I jumped up and ran out the door to go to the mines, not knowing someone was following.

 

*          *          *

 

When I arrived there, it was dark and gloomy. I hated it, but I had to go fetch the gold. I felt all giddy when I walked inside the mine. I heard the rats again, chewing on something I didn't detect. I stalked inside the cave. I knew I wasn't going to find much.

 

My eyes picked up some movement. It was pitch black in there. I couldn't see.

 

"Do you think this is a joke?"

I spun around. A Doberman walked in the light. It was Joey!

 

"Oh man... I mean hi man!" I tried to play it cool.

 

Joey growled.

 

"Why did you steal the gold? For yourself?"

 

"No way! No! I promised to help you! Remember?"

 

"Yeah I remember. I remember you running out with the gold! You only wanted it for yourself! And your not going to get the others!"

 

Joey crouched down and snarled. I did the same, thinking he was joking. He wasn't. Joey pounced at my shoulder, but missed. I quickly slammed into him, sending him

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