and convince those retrograde country bumpkins that it is time to move on," said President Keyes. "You will contact the mayor over there at Bunny Burrow, and organise a conference. I shall personally present myself and speak to the people. After all, when one wishes to be influential and powerful, one must know how to deal with the plebeians."

"Y-Yes, sir," said Jenkins. "It shall be done."

"Good," said President Keyes. "That will be all, Jenkins."

"Yes..." said Jenkins, and hesitated before speaking again. "Um, sir…if I may ask…would it be acceptable…that is to say…"

"Speak up, Jenkins, my time is precious," said President Keyes, sipping his drink.

"Well…do you think I could…just for a few minutes…speak to my family? Just to reassure them that I'm alright."

"Patience, Jenkins," said President Keyes. "Patience is a quality that will help you immensely in life. Do as I told you, organise the conference at Bunny Burrow, and I will let you spend a day with your family."

"A…day?" stammered Jenkins. "A whole day, sir?"

"Yes, under supervision, naturally," said President Keyes with a nasty expression on his face. "And within limits."

"Of course, sir! Of course," said Jenkins. "I shall carry out your wishes immediately."

"Good. There's a good boy," said President Keyes as he swished his drink around in the glass, looking at the city below him. "Now run along. Call me when all the arrangements have been made."

"Yes, sir," said Jenkins, and he quickly left the room.

As the door closed again, President Keyes took his phone and dialled a number.

"Yes, Herb? Move the Jenkinses to my summer home," said President Keyes. "That's right. No, no, no need to let him know. I'll tell him myself when the time is right. Yes. Let me know when it's done."

And he hung up.

All the adults were standing in front of the town hall. Judy, Nick, Mr and Mrs Hopps, Amber and Garth, Uncle Terry and his wife Daisy, and Beatrice Lorena Wilde.

"Well, shall we?" said Stu and they walked up the front steps towards he building.

Judy and Nick lagged behind a little.

"I'll let you make the introductions, Carrots," whispered Nick. "You know your townsfolk better than I do."

"Everyone, this is Nick Wilde, high in nine essential nutrients. Because apparently snark is a nutrient now," chuckled Judy as she and Nick walked arm-in-arm up the steps.

"Be serious," whispered Nick.

"And for only twelve payments of nineteen ninety-nine, you can take home your very own Nick Wilde," whispered Judy mischievously. "He cooks, he cleans, he entertains...and who know what other talents he might be hidin' behind that beguiling smile."

She gave him a hearty wink.

"Accessories sold separately, batteries not included."

"Don't make me kiss you in front of everyone," said Nick through his teeth, his eyes narrowed.

"Are you threatening me, Mr Wilde?" asked Judy with a saucy grin.

"No, I'm tempting you," answered Nick with equal cheek.

As they walked into the meeting hall, they saw that it was packed. Most of Bunny Burrow was there. They were sitting on wooden chairs, all facing a stage which was empty except for a podium and four chairs.

The Hoppses and their guests took their seats near the door. Several residents looked at Nick and Bea with suspicion, whispering behind their paws. Garth didn't cause too much of a fuss. Amber was far too beautiful for anyone to take notice that she was a coyote, second only to foxes on the scale of mistrust.

One of the oldest neighbours, Old Cletus Hareington, was talking loudly as he sat. His wife and his eldest sons looked somewhat abashed, but they nodded in agreement.

He caught sight of the Hoppses and his ears perked up.

"Stuart Hopps!" he said.

"Good mornin', Cletus," said Stu.

"It's a mornin', but it certainly ain't a good one!" barked Cletus. "All our carrots plumb dead! Our pumpkins fat one day and deflated like balloons the next! This is worse than the black rot o' '67."

"I beg to differ, Mr Hareington," said a young adult rabbit to his far left, one of the older McCottons. "Back then the town was far more alone. Now we have the means to ask the neighbouring towns for help…"

"Help? Bah!" yelled Cletus. "Ain't nobody gonna give us no help! We don't need outsiders stickin' their paws in our 'ffairs! At times like this, like calls to like, blood sticks to blood."

"Mr Hareington," said a sheep to his far right. "In times of hardship and need, we must let go of our pride…"

"Hardship! Cotton rot! You fire eatin' young bucks don't know a thing about the hard times! Why, back in 1955 when the frost lasted into June, we had to live off our school books for a week before the first wild shoots pushed up from the ground!"

Cletus stood on his chair, waving his cane around.

"What's gonna happen when everyone gets hungry and push comes to shove and the meat-eaters of yore come huffin' and puffin' on our doors, kindly tell me?"

"Now, Cletus, you're talkin' nonsense!" said his wife. "You hush up now, that was uncalled for!"

"Ain't no bunny been born yet that'll make me hush up!" snapped Cletus. "What'll you do, Abner, when the Grays come knocking on your door, fixin' for some lamb chops?"

"Cletus! Enough! You're just spoutin' nonsense to get people argufying!"

"Whatcha gonna do, Abner?" said Cletus, looking at an elderly sheep across the room. "When Mama Gray comes knockin' on your door with a stew pot in her claws."

"Cletus! Watch your words! The Grays are standing right over there," said Stu, standing up.

Gideon Gray and his folks were standing near the corner, looking very uncomfortable. Judy and Nick looked at them and saw them huddling together, as if for protection.

"Hah! All the better! Tell me, son, how many bruises on my grandchildren were put there by you?" he looked directly at Gideon.

"Mr Hareington, I am very sorry for my past behaviour," said Gideon, looking at the floor. "I have done my best to make amends ever since I took over the family business."

"Cotton rot! You Grays were always big fat bullies! Your old man was a bully, and his old man was a bully too, let me tell you! Like father like son!"

"Now, Cletus! This time you've gone too far!" said Stu, walking a few paces towards his neighbour with Bonnie beside him, ready to support her husband. "Leave Gideon alone!"

"Ha! Says the one whose daughter traipses about with a fox!"

Judy's ears perked up. She immediately stood up and held Nick's arm defensively, as if showing the whole town that she didn't care what they thought.

"It's bad enough with the Grays havin' to breathe the same air as us! But shifty city slickers comin' into our town…"

"Not one word about Officer Nicholas Wilde, Cletus!" said Stu, clenching his fist.

"I'll speak all the words that nobody else will!" shouted Cletus.

"Don't you dare!" warned Stu.

"I'll lay it out for you and everyone else! This town's going plumb to hell!"

"Watch your mouth, Cletus!" yelled Uncle Terry, walking up beside Stu with his fists clenched. "There are ladies present!"

"Then let 'em hear! This town is going plumb to hell! And your daughter, Stu Hopps, is the seed of it all!"

Judy felt a rush of anger creeping up her body.

"You take that back!" shouted Stu.

"Puttin' liberal city ideas in all our youngsters' heads!" continued Cletus. "Becomin' a cop, madness enough! But inter-matin' with a fox! That's the last straw! Free love, that's what they call it today! Pair up with anyone, it don't matter what kind! It's madness, deviancy..!"

"Not one more word, Cletus!" roared Uncle Terry as he and Stu walked slowly towards him, their fists tight as stone.

"Or you'll what? You gonna make me hush up?! No bunny yet born has made me hush up!"

"Then I'll be the first!" growled Stu. "You don't insult my family and walk away with all your teeth! Nicholas Wilde is an officer and a gentlefox! He saved our family farm and my youngest daughter's life! Anyone who offends him offends my family!"

"You've got a skewed idea of family, Stu Hopps, lettin' riff-raff intermix with your flesh and blood!"

"You wanna take this outside!?" bellowed Uncle Terry.

"Anytime, buster! Put 'em up!"

The shouting match was interrupted by the door bursting open and a rush of cold air blowing into the room. Sheriff Donovan Shepard and his deputies, Old Ben and Barkins, walked into the room. Holding Sheriff Shepard's arm was Nana Bernardine. Everyone went quiet.

"Apologies for our tardiness," said Donovan Shepard.

He walked into the room and immediately noticed Nick.

"Officer Wilde," said the Sheriff, tipping his hat and shaking Nick's paw. "A pleasure to have you with us this morning."

The whole room was silent as they watched Shepard and Nick shake paws. This

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