Sandy slowly turned to look at the dog standing behind her. Her fur was a brilliant white, exactly the color of clouds on a sunny day. As Sandy stood with letters in hand, bright sky blue eyes stared fiercely back at her under. Thanks to the dog’s uniform and her crossed arms, Sandy couldn’t help but feel she’d done something wrong.
Police Dog
What’re you doing with other people’s mail?
Police Dog
You can’t do that! That’s illegal!
No no no! You’ve got it all wrong!
Sandy
Police Dog
That’s what they all say.
Police Dog
I can’t believe it! I actually caught someone in the act!
Police Dog
Now the mayor will have to listen to me. When she gets back, I’ll –
Please, no… I was just picking up the spilled letters.
Sandy
See? The bag is ripped.
Sandy
Police Dog
Huh?
Police Dog
Oh, dang it. Yeah, it does that.
Don’t be so disappointed. That means I’m innocent!
Sandy
Police Dog
I guess so…
Police Dog
And thank you for picking them up.
The dog moved carefully and delicately as she took back the letters. She was dressed in a bright blue uniform with golden insignias on each shoulder. She also wore a small decorative blue hat as well that was riding high on her long fluffy hair. Sandy could tell in a moment that dealing with that much fur must have been a real chore. Even the top button of the dog’s uniform was undone to allow an entire storm of it to lift up and out of her shirt collar. It was then that Sandy saw the name “Miko” upon her tiny name tag.
After the two cleaned the letters together, Miko turned to give Sandy the crispest, most eager salute she had ever seen.
Miko
Your service is appreciated, citizen!
No problem, officer Miko.
Sandy
Miko appeared shocked for a moment, perking up with wide eyes and heightened ears. She looked side to side in confusion before Sandy mercifully pointed to her name tag.
Miko
Oh. Hehe… The name tag still gets me sometimes.
Miko
But I guess I should clear something up… I’m technically not a police officer.
You definitely sound like one.
Sandy
Miko
Because I wanna be one so bad!
What’s stopping you?
Sandy
Miko
The mayor says we don’t need one. And, I admit, everyone does take good care of one another here. But you never know!
So… Oh!
Sandy
You’re a mail dog.
Sandy
Miko
Fable’s one and only postal worker! Yep, that’s me!
Miko
But don’t get me wrong. It’s a good and helpful job. But it’s not my passion. I really want to be a police officer…
Miko
Once I make a few real arrests, I’ll be a real police dog.
I get it. But I can’t help but feel you have that backwards.
Sandy
That’s when Sandy felt a small shock of realization hit her. Miko’s salute captured Sandy’s attention. Sandy took Miko’s hands into her own and ran her thumbs over delicate, normal-sized palms. Miko looked confused for a moment. But it seemed to dawn on her as well.
Miko
Hehe… surprised?
You don’t have giant hands like everyone else.
Sandy
Miko
That’s what I thought. It’s because I’m not from Fable.
Oh my gosh! You also came on the train?
Sandy
Miko
That’s right! I could tell you weren’t from here thanks to your fur.
Miko
Or um… Lack of it? No offense.
I have so many questions! I just got here and…
Sandy
Miko
I really need to go to work, though. For some reason we have a ton of letters today.
Miko
But you’ll likely see me around! I’m all over the place.
I’m staying with Maxine for now. Maybe you could come over?
Sandy
Miko
Oh! Good idea. How about I meet you there at sundown?
Wonderful. It’s good to meet you, Miko.
Sandy
