The announcement came on the radio just as Moptop and Ellynnorr were pulling out of the driveway: "Warning . . . a giant tiger is loose in the city! Do not leave your homes for any reason!"
"Eh, let's go," said Moptop. "There is food to be eaten and beer to be drunk!"
As they drove out of the neighborhood, another car, driven by Notop, passed by the opposite direction. The passengers included Mrs. Notop, Terred, and Mr. God. The former tried to get Moptop's attention, but Moptop slinked down farther into his seat in an ineffective attempt to conceal himself. Notop's car whipped around and followed them.
Notop changed lanes and sped up so the cars were side-by-side, and Moptop saw Mr. God's window roll down, so he responded in kind.
"What do you want!?" shouted Moptop over the rushing wind.
"Mr. and Mrs. Notop want you to come to dinner!"
"I'm clearly going somewhere else! Maybe next time!"
Mr. God's window rolled up, and Mrs. Notop cast an indignant glare at Moptop.
The cars came to rest at a stoplight, and Moptop saw the giant tiger in the intersection. It was giant, indeed--easily longer than their car--and appeared very angry. Moptop looked around at everyone's reaction. A woman on a bicycle, suddenly aware of her mortal danger, screamed and pedaled away slowly in the opposite direction.
The tiger, meanwhile, took a swipe at a man walking a chihuahua and barely missed the dog. Moptop was secretly disappointed.
