ME:.

Uh, Great-Aunt Emma told me. From beyond the grave?

S:.

Oh.

ME:.

I was wondering about the reward she promised you. Because...she...said I should find out what you want.

S:.

Well, uh, I don't know if I actually deserve any reward. But, yeah, when you talk to her again, let her know, there is something, I mean, I don't know if she could do it, maybe it's not even worth asking, but...

ME:.

Spit it out, Schneider.

S:.

[Blushing like crazy.] I want to be mayor of Blackrock.

ME:.

[Laughing like crazy.] No problem, dude. I will definitely tell her.

Man, who knew Schneider was so mental?-Anyhoodle, what's important is that he also coughed up the following information: 1. He confirmed that he owes Great-Aunt Emma a favor because she gave him enough money to pay a huge bribe and get elected to City Council.

2. Come to find out, Schneider is also Head of the Sanitation Department, Fire Marshal, and Coordinator of Charitable Activities. (Like I said-Mental!) 3. As far as he knows, EVERYONE has sold their property to Attikol, including himself, excluding my dead Great-Aunt Emma, who could not be persuaded to sell, being dead.

4. Schneider did not want to sell, but the price kept going higher and higher, and then there was some mention of kneecapping, so he thought it best to agree.

5. He's now staying in Hilda's spare room upstairs from the El Dungeon.

6. He knows that Attikol has been looking for Great-Aunt Emma's will. So has Schneider. Nothing so far.

7. It would be pretty easy for Schneider to transfer ownership of her properties to me if we act fast, before all the town officials leave for good.

8. He says it is common knowledge that Attikol A) prides himself on never, never losing a challenge, and B) has never, never been so smitten with a lady as he is with Raven.

9. Rumor has it that the Mayor accepted a pretty staggering sum of money to give Attikol permission to go ahead and push the El Dungeon to the east once everyone is gone.

10. Schneider hopes I have some clever ideas on preventing this, since he doesn't think Attikol will let a little thing like ownership stand in his way.

11. Schneider recommends that I do like him and pack my belongings in preparation for fleeing town, since he is sure the El Dungeon will be rubble in a day or two.

12. Schneider is being a major Mr. Bring-Down right now.

13. Schneider really DOES believe I can communicate with Great-Aunt Emma. He said I should say "hi" and "sorry" for him. Wow.

Day 27 Have done something very, very shameful.

Was feeling super-overwhelmed after yesterday's conversation with Schneider. No idea how I am supposed to deal with all this stuff about Emma's will and fighting Attikol for her property. Was getting very weak-hearted with thoughts like "I'm just a kid" and "The SMART thing to do here is...to panic" and so, I'm sorry to report, I took out the folded bit of paper that I found in my pocket on Day 20, and opened it up.

Was extremely excited to see "MOM" and a phone number. Blessed Mom. Blessed emergency hotline to Mom.

I hunkered down behind the counter of the El Dungeon and dialed.

SOMEONE:.

h.e.l.lo?

ME:.

[Hm, doesn't sound like a mom voice. Do I have a sister?] Mom? Is Mom there?

S:.

h.e.l.lo? Oh...Earwig!

ME:.

[Good grog, is my name actually Earwig?] Hi! Can I talk to Mom?

S:.

Dude, Earwig, it's me, Molly.

ME:.

Oh..............Molly. Wow. Uh, sorry, I was actually trying to get in touch with my mom.

MOLLY:.

Oh, well, I'm not staying there anymore, actually. Right now I'm in this crazy town called Zip Down, Pennsylvania.

ME:.

Wait, so...[Molly was staying with MY mom? No. No. Brain will not process.]

M:.

You sound kinda out of it. Did you give yourself another case of amnesia, or what?

ME:.

Uh, something like that. Um, so, uh, have we met?

M:.

You bet we've met! Hey, listen. You don't need to say any more. I know you wouldn't have called unless you needed help, so just hang in there and I'll be in Blackrock as soon as I can!

ME:.

Wait...you don't need to come...

M:.