Oxbrain, CEO
Episode IV
In our last episode, millions of people jam-packed the city waiting for Oxbrain.
Oxen dressed in business suits are set loose in the city in an elaborate attempt to make the crowd leave.
Would the bovine look-alikes help the situation? Or would Oxbrain and friends find only
Rack and
Ruin With the Bulls?
by John T Sherman
Illustrated by Katie Burgess_

____ As the sun came up, a cattle truck with the word "Encierro" painted on the sides arrived at the outskirts of the city. Air brakes belched, iron bolts slid back, and bulls,-- dressed in business suits,-- barreled their way out of the trailer, and began running through the crowded streets of the city. Cheers rang out from the people.
_____ "There he is! And he brought his friends with him," shouted someone in the crowd.
_____ "Wait! We all want a picture with you, Oxbrain!"
_____ "Slow down, Oxbrain. You didn't tell us this would be a running tour of the city!" said a jogger, struggling to keep up.
_____ In the financial district, a bespectacled investor scampered after the Oxbrain look-alikes, asking them about certain IPOs.
_____ This same scene played out in other parts of the city, as the people, believing the bulls to be Oxbrain (and his business colleagues), ran with them as they charged down the streets.
_____ Towards evening, the people, exhausted but happy, began leaving the city.
_____From his office suite in the Billowy Building, Oxbrain watched with relief as the crowd dwindled.
_____ "Your plan is working! But I better get back to my farm, before anything else happens. I think I was wrong to come here and be CEO of this company. I've caused too much trouble for everyone. Could you help me leave this place, Alexi?"
_____ "Okay, Oxbrain."
_____ " There's still a bit of a crowd down there. I better shed this business suit if I'm going to walk outside," he said.
_____ "Look. A wide-brimmed lady's hat! It'll hide those horns. I'll tie it on you, Mister Cow." Alexi giggled, remembering the first time they had met.
_____ They walked out of the building in the twilight, with Alexi perched on Oxbrain's back. "Don't pay us any attention," the little girl told the curious onlookers. I'm just taking my pet cow for a walk. He's really not Oxbrain! Bye, now! Nothing special here. Go away, people!"
_ ___ "That's not very convincing."
_____ "SHHH!!"
_____ "Hey, that cow talked!... I bet you're Oxbrain!... You had us fooled there for a while... Come back and show us around the city!... We all want our pictures taken with you... And can you sign my autograph book?... "
_____ The crowd of onlookers swelled as they followed the lumbering ox and his diminuitive rider.
_____ "We need to get out of here really fast! We'll never get finished with them," Oxbrain said in a panicky voice, as they waded between parked cars and gawking bystanders.
_____ "That man over there just parked his pick-up. If only we could borrow it..."
_____ "Can you drive a truck, Alexi?"
_____ "Sure. Daddy showed me how, once!"
_____ "There's some cash in the satchel around my neck. Reach in and give the man the bundle of money inside. We're buying that truck."
_____ They stopped next to the black Chevy pick-up.
____ "Talk to him!"
_____ "Hi, Mister Man, uh, we're buying your truck, if that's okay with you." She plopped the wad of cash in his hands. He looked at it and nodded.
_____ "Okay, get in and start driving then, Alexi. They're coming closer!"
_____ "Umm, Mister Man, could you start the engine for me."
_____ The man got in, started the engine, and then got back out, never taking his eyes off the talking ox who was wearing the lady's hat.
_____ "Alexi, I thought you said you could drive! Why couldn't you even start the engine?"
_____ "I can't start trucks. I'm only seven!"
_____ "We'll never get out of here," he moaned.
_____ "Just get in the back."
_____ Oxbrain clambered onto the back of the pick-up, praying for a miracle. The truck springs sank under his weight.
_____ Alexi climbed in, sat in the drivers' seat, and stepped on the gas pedal. The truck lurched, hesitated, and then spun its wheels. Oxbrain staggered, barely keeping his balance. Finally, the vehicle pitched forward, and as they drove away, he managed to call out, "Don't worry, we can do your paperwork on the truck later!"
_____ Luckily, there was little, if any, traffic on this road just past the city, and with Alexi able to peer over the steering wheel (just barely), they were up to a reasonable speed. Pleased with herself, Alexi was again chattering away as Oxbrain strove to listen to her above the wind noise.
_____ "I think Daddy will want another animal as CEO. He says they really pay the bills. Do you have any other animal friends who can talk?"
_____ "Your Daddy does not want any more of us talking animals, believe me."
_____ "Well, can I interview them anyway? Who do you have at the farm?"
_____ "We've got ducks, sheep and cows at the farm. Oh, and Farmer Breakneck too."
_____"Can the animals talk?"
_____"All animals can talk. It's just that humans don't speak their language."
_____ "Daddy will give them fancy cars and a big house."
_____ "I don't think animals are that materialistic."
_____ "Tell them they'll be famous and have lots of money and run a big company, but they have to talk if Daddy's going to hire them."
_____ "If you say so, Alexi."
_____ And with that said, they drove on in silence into the huge night.

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