Chapter 7 • More Than A Chance Meeting
Cozmic Cat approached the gates of empty space that surrounded the black hole and was greeted with an evil laugh. “Have you come to save your friends the Band of DogZ?” Screeched Jack in the Black, the spirt and soul of the black hole.
With a quick roll on the snare drum and a soft tap on the ride Cozmo replied. “How did you know?”
“I know everything.” Jack said with a snide grin and a chuckle. “Why don’t you come a little closer and see how your friends are doing.
“Oh look! I can see them right now. All you have to do is come over here and get a little closer and you will see them too.” Jack in the Black was coaxing Cozmo to come within his reach. He was looking forward to trapping the feline genius just as he had captured the Band of DogZ.
Beating his foot on the bass drum several times Cozmic Cat took off flying towards Jack in the Black. Overwhelmed with joy Jack reached out to grab a hold of Cozmo’s body. But, as he began to clench his fingers together, the great and powerful spirit was surprised to feel nothing at all. To the great surprise and consternation of the dark spirit, Cozmic Cat had slipped right through his hands.
Somehow the little drumming cat had eluded Jack’s grip. Wearing his anti-gravity hat and flying on the anti-gravity drum set, Cozmo moved about freely in the black hole with no problem at all. Jack in the Black was horrified, shocked, annoyed, disturbed, impressed and entertained all at the same time. Mostly he wondered how it was even possible for this to be happening.
Watching as Cozmic Cat flew in and out of the black hole, Jack quickly realized that it was the anti-gravity hat and drum set that were allowing the feline genius to defy his power. Jack grew angrier and angrier as he watched Cozmo flying freely about in his kingdom. But even with all his anger Jack in the Black was also impressed and entertained by Cozmic Cat. The great spirit could have destroyed the drumming cat at any time and taken the hat and drums away. But as much as he wanted to, it was not in his nature to steal. Besides that would not be any fun for Jack who was quite entertained by Cozmo’s boldness and ingenuity.
Jack in the Black decided he would try to win a bet with Cozmo to get what he wanted. “That’s very impressive Cozmo.” Jack said as he watched the drumming cat zipping around in the black hole. “You surely are the greatest genius I have ever met. Nothing has ever escaped from or even moved about so freely within my world. You should be trapped forever and yet, you are not. Even so, your friends, The Band of DogZ are trapped forever, unless... Would you like to try and win their freedom?”
Cozmo moved a little closer to hear what Jack had to say. Jack went on speaking. “I will ask you two questions. If you can answer one of these questions to my satisfaction, I will allow you to try and save The Band of DogZ. If you cannot answer the questions all I want is the anti-gravity hat and drum set.
Without hesitating to think about the consequences, Cozmic Cat looked Jack straight in the eyes and boldly replied. “Start asking!”
