"Oh there's a lot of opportunities,
If you're willing to take it you know.
Oh, there's a lot opportunities,
If there aren't then you can make it
Make or break it."
~ From "(Opportunities) Let's Make Lots of Money" by the Pet Shop Boys ~

London, England 1875- Gideon Goodling ran downstairs moving past the crowd of revelers. He gagged slightly at the cigar smoke, and tripped into some of the men.
"Watch it, brat!" The man yelled.
"Sorry sir," Gideon said. The small kitten ran into his mother tripping into his oversized yellow overcoat. "Mummy!"
The short female orange kitten crossed her arms around her slender waist as her son fell into his mother's low cut goldenrod dress. She tried to glare at Gideon, but the boy looked up so innocently that she smiled. "Gideon, what have I told you about running into the pub?"
Gideon sighed. "Don't do it unless the cops are after me?"
Mary nodded. "That's right."
"But mummy," the ten year old kitten objected. "It's me birthday."
"I know do you want to live to see eleven?" his mother teased, but then she picked up her son and gave him a warm birthday hug. Gideon tugged at his mother's dark brown ponytail.
"You are being so bad that I almost don't have the heart to tell you that your favorite coach is outside," Mary said.
Giddy pulled from his mother. "You mean Uncle Jem is here!"
Mary laughed in her soft voice. "Why don't you go see for yourself?" Not even hearing his mother, Gideon ran outside to look for the familiar maroon and brown colored coach. When he didn't see it, the little kitten's heart almost sank. He was about to go back inside, when he felt someone grab him from behind and whisper "boo" to him. Gideon jumped with fright, but then looked up and grinned. "Uncle Jem!" He called.
Gideon ran into the arms of a tall graceful looking male fox dressed in a fine dark suit and overcoat. " Hello, Giddy!" Jem Foulfellow said. "My this is a welcome."
"Where did you go this time?" Gideon asked.
"Oh I do believe we went everywhere. We went to France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, India, China, and Russia. All over this beautiful world."
"And we got chased by cops of every nation!" Jem's fifteen year old son, John jumped out of the coach. "Did you know that the word for 'halt' in Italy is the same as it is in Spain?"
"Hi Johnnie," Gideon said.
"Hey Runt," John called back playfully and pushed the kitten to the ground.
"John, don't hit Gideon," Jem said. "A nice polite little shove will do and he will fall like a house of cards." Jem laughed, but then whispered to Gideon. "Don't tell your mum I said that."
"I heard that," Mary called. She then greeted the foxes with a warm hug.
"Did you miss us, Uncle Jem?" Gideon asked.
"Every single day. I couldn't think about anything else but you and your mum," Jem said.
"Ah, the first BS of the day is always the sweetest," Mary said.
"No, it's true, isn't it Johnnie," Jem said to his son.
"Yes, but one thing, Dad, I don't think sarcasticbitch really is one word," John joked.
Mary smiled sarcastically, as Jem laughed and punched his son "playfully" on the shoulder. "Shut up, Johnnie."
"Did you get anything for my birthday?" Gideon asked.
"Why of course I did," Jem said. "There are presents in the coach. John why don't you and Gideon take them and open them, while I talk to your mum."
"Okay, come on Giddy I'll show you how to play dice and then maybe I could sell you to a gypsy camp."
"No you won't," Mary declared.
"But Aunt Mary, they pay top dollar," John said. "And you get to be a star."
"Really?" Gideon asked, his eyes widened.
"Big N little o," Mary said. She watched as Gideon and John ran into the pub leaving Jem and Mary alone. Mary kept a good eye on them to make sure the teenager didn't follow through his threat.
"So, how's business?" Jem asked.
"Couldn't be better," Mary answered. "Enough of the small talk, where's my money?"
"Well, let me just say, I appreciate you not asking when we first got here," Jem teased, but then he doled out half of his share and she gave half of hers. The two best friends had a business arrangement that said that they would exchange their money with the other if things were rough. They smiled at each other as they talked. Jem Foulfellow and Mary Goodling had known each other for seventeen years when Mary's best friend, Tilly Worthington introduced her to her soon-to be fiancé Jem Foulfellow. The two didn't hit it off quite so well at first. With Jem's conniving ways and wisecracking attitude and Mary's bad temper and fiery personality, the two bickered constantly. Mary couldn't understand Tilly's attraction to a man who was constantly gone and Jem referred to Mary as the "thing that wouldn't go away." The two went at it, until Tilly became ill shortly after giving birth to Johnnie. For some reason, after she died, Jem and Mary halted their bickering. They proved to be very helpful to each other, particularly after Gideon was born.
"Okay, Gideon's birthday probably isn't the only reason that you are here, what else?" Mary asked.
"Nothing more than the score of a lifetime," Jem said. "You are looking at the 'dethroned Prince of Verona' and he and his son have been exiled from their homeland for years at the scheming of his evil half-brother, Carlos and longs to return and fight for his throne but needs the funds to do it."
"Who in bloody hell would you get to believe a balmy story like that?" Mary asked.
"Duchess Bijou," Jem answered matter-of-factly. "I sent her a wire before we arrived."
Mary faced him in surprise, "Duchess Bijou! As in Lord Ebonrude's aunt, Duchess Bijou!"
"The very same," Jem answered. Silently, Jem hoped Mary hadn't found that out. Mary had a few regular customers, but none was more regular than Lord Ebonrude, who had been visiting Mary for the past eleven years. Even though he paid good money, he was somewhat obsessive with the young prostitute and their encounters sometimes ended with a transaction more often than not it ended with a loud argument. Their situation was complicated and now with Jem having his own business arrangement with Ebonrude's aunt, well things got even more complicated. "Does Lord E. know about me?"
"I don't think so, you really don't come up that often," Mary quipped.
"Oh good, then things can't possibly go wrong on either of our dealings," Jem said.
"If you say so," Mary said doubtfully.
John caught his breath, "Umm, there is another reason. Well, uh, you see, Johnnie is getting too old to play the innocent victim, besides it would give you a chance,"
Mary looked at him, "What the devil are you talking about?"
Jem paused, okay here it was. He then knelt down on one knee. "Well, uh, I don't have a ring or anything I mean I won't have one until tonight and I'll be sure I'll get one from Duchess Bijou, but will you marry me?"
Mary paused for a moment, then doubled over in laughter. "Come on, don't be silly. You ain't asking me to marry you?"
Jem offered a straight face, "I think I just did."
Mary shook her head. "No, it wouldn't be a good idea, we're friends for one thing."
Jem nodded, "That's why I'm asking-"
Mary shook her head even more emphatically. "Lemme finish, when I want to talk you never let me finish! We're friends, but we fight all the time; we'd bloody kill each other and then where would the boys be? I'll grant you that, whenever you talk about the places you'd been, I can see Giddy's face light up and I think well why can't we go? But, come on you and I both know it would be for convenience and not love."
Jem nodded, "I suppose you are right, what the devil was I thinking? I'll ask someone more prodding, more docile, less loud, less boisterous, less annoying, less you."
The cat laughed sarcastically, but then poked her head up to the second floor of the pub. "It's awful quiet up there. You don't think that John got Giddy in trouble again do you?"
Jem shook his head. "Oh come now, don't you trust my son that he would look after Giddy like a little brother and protect him?" Mary fixed him a look. "All right let's go," Jem said. The two ran upstairs to Mary's bedroom. But all they found was Gideon rolling a load of dice on the ground. "I got seven!" Gideon called.
John looked at it. "That means you lose."
"But, I thought seven was the highest," Gideon protested.
"Those are winter rules, this is spring," John said. "You have to pay up."
"Okay," Gideon said fishing out his coins. "Blasted seven, I keep getting them all the bloody time!" Jem chuckled silently while Mary rolled her eyes.
John casually watched his father whistle as he put on his tie and slap cologne on his face. Through his reflection in the mirror, Jem could see the boy casually thumb through Jem's trunk, which had most of his costumes, his fake documents, and everything else they carried with them. The boy thumbed through the clothes and pulled out a picture of an old playbill, put in a small gold plated frame.
"How long are you going to look through that thing, Johnnie?" Jem asked. He walked behind his son and saw the drawing of a male and female fox in Shakespearean dress. Under their picture were words faded by time, but were still present in their minds: "One night only! Come see John and Alicia Foulfellow as Benedick and Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing! Tonight at the Palace!"
Jem smiled fondly, "You found your grandparents did you lad?"
Johnnie nodded. "Did you want to be an actor like them?"
The older fox shrugged. "I don't know, I suppose there is a definite draw to it, money, fame, my name in lights, F-O-L, uh, U -E-, uh bloody hell! I never could pay attention with tutors that's why I never did. You had to read the blasted scripts, too much work. Besides after they died, the company didn't want to keep me. I guess we were family, until I no longer had one. I just used what mum and dad taught me, about playing a role and keeping a straight face. "
Jem looked at his son, "And if I were never a con artist I would never have met your mum and what's -her-name." John smiled at his father's comment, but before things got too sentimental he playfully punched his son on the shoulder.
Besides, you think I could handle a director standing over me, 'Mr. Foulfellow, you are not committing to the MOMENT!!!!" Jem pranced around the room like a frantic director for a while his son laughed.
"I don't have to take this! I can take my sissy tights and walk!" John said pretending to be a prima donna actor.
"You do that, I don't need you!" Jem teased. The two con artists ran around the room like that, until they fell onto the bed laughing hysterically. Jem stood up and helped his son to rise and the two calmed down.
"Look, we need to get ready to bamboozle a duchess," Jem said. "Then, we must share our spoils with the woman I barely tolerate!"

Gideon playfully ran into his mother's boudoir and leaped on the bed putting the covers tightly over his small body. He could hear the door creak open and he heard his mother call for him. "Gideon Thomas Goodling, where are you?" She called to the boy. Gideon shuffled slightly under the covers to hide his giggles.
Mary glanced at the large lump on her bed. She put her hands on her hips and smiled. "Well, if Giddy ain't here, I guess I could sit on the bed," She flounced on the bed until she felt for his body and began tickling it. "This pillow is very squirmy," she remarked. "Maybe, I should get it to settle down." She tickled it harder, and Gideon burst out laughing. Mary pulled the covers over her, and said in mock-surprise. "Giddy, there you are! I had no idea!" The mother and son laughed. "And now, it's time for you to be in the closet."
Gideon snapped his fingers in disappointment as he followed his mother. "Aww, mum do I have to? I don't want to go to sleep, I'm not sleepy." A slight yawn escaped from him.
"Not sleepy hmm," Mary arched her eyebrow. "You know, I have to work tonight and I can't have you disturbing me. The men get very drunk, and when they get drunk they get mean." Gideon nodded he heard all of this before, but still he obeyed his mother. "I promise when I'm done I'll let you out."
She opened the closet door to a small mattress lying on the floor. She gently took a white blanket and wrapped it around her son. "Mummy," Giddy asked. "Are you going to marry Uncle Jem?"
Mary looked at her son quizzically. "Who told you that?"
"Johnnie told me that his dad was going to ask you to marry him," Gideon answered.
"He did and I said no," Mary said matter-of-factly.
"Do you love him?" Giddy asked.
"In some ways, that's why I can't," Mary said. "Now no more out of you."
"But Mummy," Gideon began. Mary put her hand on the boy's mouth.
"The only sound I want to hear from you is a seven year old kitten sleeping. Now, not another word out of you, not a single word," Gideon closed his eyes as his mother kissed him. "Happy Birthday, Giddy." She put him in the closet then shut the door. She felt guilty every time she did it, but what else could she do? She could handle any beatings the men gave her, but for them to hit Gideon, well it would never happen. Thank God, Gideon was a heavy sleeper and didn't hear anything that went on.
She blew a kiss inside the closet and adjusted her cleavage and lower skirt. She then walked up to the bed and lay on it in a revealing pose to await her clients.

The middle aged Persian cat stood before the handsome man in the dark suit and the royal insignia. The young boy sat by his side. The woman snapped at her butler to hand over three large bags of gold pieces and a briefcase of sparkling jewels. "Please sir, take my jewels as a down payment to contribute to your defense."
"Oh madam, I couldn't possibly take this much. I wish not to earn money in that way," the 'dethroned prince of Verona' said. "I couldn't take advantage of your kindness."
The boy watched in anticipation as his father pushed the money back.
"If not for your country and to aid your defense then take it for the children of your country, especially your son," Duchess Bijou pointed at the boy who was doing his best to look sad and pathetic. "He deserves to return to the country of his birth."
The prince hesitated, but then took the jewels and sighed. "Very well, I will take these jewels, but the most precious jewel I can never take is your kind heart."
The son smirked, and mentally made a gagging sound. The two gathered the jewels and the prince kissed Duchess Bijou's hand as they left.
Jem and John stepped out of the hotel lobby and gasped with laughter. "We have been working that con for months, Dad!" John yelled.
"I know what a success," Jem said. "But we almost didn't pull it off. You are getting too old to play the adorable kid or the innocent victim."
"But what can I do now?" John asked, fearful that his father would say something like, "You're on your own kid."
"How about permanent partner?" Jem asked.
"You mean it!" John yelled excitedly, "Oh boy" He embraced his father tightly.
Jem nodded, now come now we have a lot to do. We'll drop our stuff at our place, and then go see Mary. We'll iron the details later. "
A few hours later, Jem and Johnnie went in the crowded pub. The air was filled with cigar smoke and the strong pungent odor of alcohol was everywhere. A piano played in the background and the sound of men fighting and cavorting the prostitutes was prevalent. Jem and Johnnie squeezed around the patron and Jem saw three men playing poker. "Deal me in boys?" he asked slyly.
The men, two humans and one bulldog glowered at him. "How much you got Jemmie?" The bulldog snarled.
"Enough Bill," Jem said winking at his son. John watched as the men dealed Jem in. The teenager looked around and felt in people's pockets for wallets and coins to keep himself occupied. From the corner of his eye, Jem saw a man leaving the boudoir on the second floor by the stairs. He chuckled to himself, another one of Mary's satisfied customers. He returned to his dealing, so he didn't see the fancy dressed black cat run up to Mary's room and slam the door.

Mary looked up at the slam. She saw a fancy dressed brown cat draped in a black overcoat and carrying white gloves and a cane. "Druitt, come in," Mary purred. "The usual?"
"What the hell are you doing woman?," Lord Ebonrude demanded. "What was that man doing here? Was he touching you?" The lord demanded.
Mary stood up and rolled her eyes. "He was a client that's how I make money? It's what I do for a living, how we met over seven years ago? Does any of that jog your memory?"
"I am supposed to be your only or have your forgotten that?," Lord Ebonrude yelled.
"We both must have amnesia then, because I never agreed to that!," Mary said. "I will make money how I please, especially when you are in Ireland, or America, or Bloody God knows where!" She knew where to hit him. "Besides why should it bother you, you are still married!"
Ebonrude's eyes flashed. "My marriage to Sybil does nothing to satisfy me. You know she is nothing but a callous cold fish!"
Mary sighed theatrically. "Oh boo hoo, poor you! You are married to a bitch! While I am practically starving and I have a slow- witted kid to support! When I need the money, I will whatever I can! And I warned you last time that if you demanded anything more from me again, it would be over! Well it's over good-bye!"
She opened the door to her boudoir and held it open for him. Ebonrude picked up a champagne bottle and threw it at the door. Mary slammed it in surprise. "I will not let a common vulgar street whore order me about!"
From the closet, Gideon woke up to hear shouting. He peeked through the crack between the doors and could barely make out an image of his mother yelling at a man.
Mary caught her breath. She should have stopped there, but she couldn't not after the years of handling his beatings, bullying, and his threats towards Gideon. "Fine then if you won't leave, I'll do what I should have done seven years ago, when I gave birth! Perhaps the cold fish would like to know where her dear husband has been. Certainly not at the Gentleman's Club like she thought!"
"You won't tell her!," Ebonrude said glaring Mary's arm, so hard it hurt her. "We had an agreement, I provide for you and your whelp-"
"-our whelp you miserable bastard!," Mary shot back.
"-and you satisfy my needs when I need them!", Ebonrude continued.
"I forgot the last time you hit me, now get out of here!," Mary hissed. "And if you must know I'll be leaving England soon, to travel with my fiancée!"
"I won't let you leave!," Ebonrude said. "I am going to get my money's worth!"
He then threw Mary on the ground and attempted to rip off her blouse.
Gideon closed his eyes to avoid whatever was happening to his mother. Without another thought he yelled, "You leave my Mummy alone!" Silently, he prayed as the closet door burst open. Gideon felt hands force him out and he looked into the face of Lord Ebonrude. "Not a word, Giddy!" Mary yelled as she grabbed the man from behind and kicked him. Ebonrude yowled in pain and threw Gideon to the ground. Giddy felt the force on his back. Terrified, he crawled into the closet and turned away as he heard Ebonrude whip at his mother with his cane. True to his mothers command, he didn't say a word.
Ebonrude looked down at the woman's body and felt his hands shake. "I had to stop you, woman! I had to treat you roughly now stop staring at me!" He then turned away from the body, feeling sick and miserable. "I won't talk and you won't talk. You're dead! But-" He then turned to the closet and wandered over to it in a daze. "Come here, Little One," he said. "I wish to speak with you." He was so stunned that he didn't notice the table he bumped into fall over and spill to the outside of the room , until he saw the fire form around the corner far from where he Mary and Gideon were. "Bloody hell," he said then ran out of the room.
Gideon didn't pay attention to the fire. He crawled over to his mother and lay near her. He wanted to cry out, but remembered his mother telling him not to say a word. Mummy will wake up soon, he thought, until then don't say anything. He hugged his mother and rocked her.

Jem looked up from his poker game in time to see Ebonrude run out the bar door into the night. That's odd, he thought, usually they go at it all night, he thought, good riddance.
Even though he never met Lord Ebonrude, he didn't care for the man. He went back to his game, until he heard a prostitute yell, "FIRE!! THERE IS A FIREE!!!"
Despite the noise, the crowd heard her and ran out. Jem grabbed for John and the two ran out the door. The fire spread through the top floor hall and into some of the rooms as the patrons ran out.
The father and son con artists watch the people leave, with two exceptions. "Dad, where are Mary and Giddy?" Jem looked around, but didn't see them. "I'm going in. You stay there!"
"But Dad," John began.
"Stay there or I'll knock your block off," Jem demanded. John stayed put as his dad wrapped his scarf around his nose and mouth and ran in the burning building.
Jem coughed as the smoke surrounded him impairing his vision. He coughed and tried to get a good look. "Mary! Gideon! Where are you?" Without thinking, he ran up the stairs taking care that his weight didn't crush them and ran in Mary's boudoir. What he saw made Jem gasp.
Mary lay on the floor, Jem didn't have to look to see whether she was dead or not. Giddy was sitting by his mother's side, clearly alive but scared. Jem wrapped his arms around the mother and son and pulled them out. "Come on, Lad. I'll take care of you," he said slowly.
John paced outside of the pub terrified of what his dad might see, or whether he would even make it. John screamed as he saw the front awning collapse and fall. John was about to run into the pub when he saw someone come out. John's fear turned to delight. "Dad!," he said. He ran up to his father and hugged him.
"Get Gideon," His father said quickly. John turned to the other body and realized who it was and quickly understood what had happened. John shook his head. "Oh no, dad."
"Get Gideon, I want to be alone with her," Jem said. Johnnie then took Gideon and whispered. "Come on, then." When Gideon wouldn't go, John repeated louder. "Come on, Stupid!" The cat then collapsed into John's arms and the two walked off.
Jem was left alone with Mary. He held the prostitute in his arms. She was so still, that she could have been sleeping. Jem smoothed her hair from her face. "I would have married you for real, I would have, " he said tears forming in his eyes. He then cradled her in his arms and kissed her as tears trickled down his eyes and onto her cheek.
After he let go of Mary's body to let the coroner take it, Jem stood up and turned to John and Gideon. They fell into his arms and held him tightly. The three stood embracing each other as the flames died in the night.

John watched the stagecoach pull in with anticipation. He took a deep breath as the people piled out to the streets of London. Foulfellow approached them. He saw a young woman accidentally drop her case on the ground, as the handle broke. Looking concerned, John ran up to her. "Oh dear, madam, how awful. Let me help you," the boy said gathering her supplies, clothes, and personal items in her case.
The woman smiled sweetly blissfully unaware that while he helped her with her things, the boy was helping himself to her diamond earrings, her gold wedding ring, and her diamond necklace. "Why thank you dear," she said. "It's so refreshing to see polite honest folks out there."
John looked up at her, the expression of a pure angel. "That's why they call me Honest John, madam." He tipped his hat and left.
"Excuse me, young man," said a rotund stuffy looking businessman. "Can you tell me where Piccadilly Circus is?"
"Of course sir," John said pointing him in the right direction of the Circus. As John showed him around, he grabbed the man's pocket watch, billfold, and gold studs.
John grabbed a few more things from the unsuspecting crowd and walked away.

He walked to the direction of his, Jem's, and Giddy's hotel room when he passed by two people he knew slightly from the pub. He would have paid no attention to them, but he caught them saying something about, "Mary burned up in the fire." He sneaked under a bench to get a better hearing.
"So, why is there a trial, then?," One man asked.
"Well, apparently the coroner didn't do a good enough job in determining their death. They found some markings all over her and they searched Lord Ebonrude's house and found a cane with blood all over it, so he's being on trial, and now all of a sudden he's saying he ain't had anything to do with her. "
John heard their voices die down until he crept up from his perch before he went into the hotel room.
Jem felt his aching forehead throb as he filled his cup with another bottle of whiskey. His head bothered him as the door came open. John nodded at the bottles sprawled on the floor and knew what his dad had been doing with his time. John rolled his eyes at his father's grief. It had been over a month since Mary's death, and Jem still mourned her loss. Jem usually made it a point to dress finely (as much as his money allowed), but now he had been wearing the same clothes for days. He was a charming, handsome, deceitful, roguish gentleman, but now he looked so old and alone. John knew what he felt, he mourned for Mary, too. A few nights after her death, John would wake up from nightmares that were so prevalent that he would run outside to be sick. He had to get his father out of his depression.
"I had a great haul today," John said. Jem didn't pay attention.
"Got several hundred pounds worth of stuff," but there was still no response.
"But, I was sloppy, the police saw me," John said approaching the window with mounting excitement. "Oh no, here they come dad! Run!" But his father still didn't move from his seat despite John's ruse. John sighed. "And that's when I realized I was talking to a bloody brick wall!" He threw the bag on the floor with such a force that it made Jem jump. "I'm sorry you were saying something."
John waved his hand. "Forget it, I just wanted to see if you were still alive." He then leaned over to touch his father's pulse. "Oh good for a minute there, I was actually worried!"
"What am I supposed to do?," Jem said.
"There's this thing called money, we're supposed to be making it," John reminded him. "And these other things called magistrates, call me bonkers, but I think that if ewe keep staying in the same place conning the same people, they are going to start to suspect. But, I could be wrong."
Jem sighed. "I can't help it, Johnnie. I loved her, I miss her so much."
John sighed. That's what happened when Dad got too entranced by a woman. He always said that they were trouble. "Your mother excepted, son," he said. "Either they want to change, they are good marks, they are better tricksters than you, or you spend too much time worried about them." Too bad, Jem couldn't follow his own advice, John thought. The fifteen year old vowed he would never be like his dad, and let love get in the way of anything else. I will only rely on myself, he thought.
"Well, if you want to know there is a trial about Mary's death," John said.
Jem looked up. "Who's the suspect?"
"Lord Ebonrude, apparently they now think he killed her," John said.
"That's what we'd been saying the whole time," Jem said.
"I know," John agreed. Suddenly, a scream came from the other room. John and Jem ran into the room to see Gideon asleep, but twisting and turning in bed. "Mummy! Mummy!," he yelled. " I want my mummy!" Jem gently took Gideon's hands to stop the boy from scratching his face.
"It's all right, Gideon, it was just a dream," Jem soothed him. The little cat woke up and opened his eyes wide. He looked in the faces of his friend, and friend's dad and smiled. He then leapt out of bed and ran in the kitchen, and to the bag. He struggled with the knot until Jem helped him untie it. Gideon then grabbed the food with both hands and munched hungrily.
"Save some for the rest of us," John said.
"No, it's all right, "Jem said smiling fondly. If Jem had any feeling left besides his depressed emotions, it was for Mary's son. After his mother died, Gideon alternated between blissful unawareness, and fear augmented by nightmares. Most of the time though, he remained silent. He was always slow, but now he was off in his own little world all the time.
"When did you say the trial was?," Jem asked.
"Tonight," John answered.
"Right then I'm going," He said going out the door. "Watch Gideon for me."
He left closing the door behind him. "Watch Gideon? Yeah, right." John said. He stared at him intently for a minute. "Okay, watched him." He motioned for Gideon to come with him.

Jem sat in the courtroom making himself hidden behind a large post. He had been listening to the evidence for several hours. Every time something new came up that went against Ebonrude's favor, his barrister challenged it. Jem glared at the lord who looked just as nervous
John and Gideon listened from a nearby window, or rather John did. Gideon paid more attention to a butterfly that landed on his nose and flew around him. Good thing to, John said. Despite the trial being boring, John paid close attention. He could see his father sitting in the back and in the front he saw the Ebonrude family.
Ebonrude himself looked very nervous, he shifted constantly, and stammered uncontrollably. Ebonrude's wife, Sybil looked sternly at the proceedings. Their nine- year old daughter, Rebecca smirked with an almost deranged excitement.
A juror stood up. The judge glowered at them through his powdered wig. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have your honor," The juror said. "We the jury find the defendant, Lord Druitt Ebonrude not guilty in the murder of Miss Mary Margaret Goodling."
Ebonrude sighed with relief as the courtroom burst into applause. John and Gideon ran up to Jem as he left the building. Jem's eyes blazed as he watched Ebonrude leave with Sybil and Ian. "You murderer!," Jem yelled. "You killed her, I know you did! And I won't let you get away with it!" Ebonrude looked fearfully at the man yelling at him, until Sybil nodded at one of their bodyguards.
The large man then punched him in the stomach and Jem keeled over on the ground. John and Gideon ran up to their father and put their arms around him.
"That was a warning if you harm my husband again," Sybil said. "Now, come Rebecca."
"OF course, Mummy," The girl said sweetly. Then, she glared at John and Gideon and stuck her tongue out at them. John raised his fist to hit the kid, when Jem pulled him back.
"Come Druitt," Sybil said gruffly. Ebonrude nodded and followed his wife and daughter.
The kids waited until the Ebonrude family was gone. John helped his father to stand, "Come on Dad," he said. "Let's go home."
Jem shook his son's offer off. "I won't let him get away with this!," He resolved.
Before the boys could object, Jem ran off in the other direction. "The hell with him!," John said. "Come on, Giddy." Gideon pointed at his stomach and then his mouth. John stared at him oddly. "Oh, I get it you're hungry." John looked around. "Well, we don't have much money, and Dad just went to go blow off some steam, I hope. I'll think of something."
The cat walked around interested again in the butterfly. John looked at him. "How much do you know?" he asked rhetorically. "Come on, I'll get us something to eat."

It was nightfall before they were able to act. John and Gideon stared at the apple cart. "Look at the woman pathetic after I do this," John said. Then, he shoved Gideon on the ground and said, "No Gideon! We can't have any!"
"What's the matter dears?," the seller, a rosy cheeked woman asked.
"He wants an apple, but he can't have one right now, ma'am.," John said. "We still have to work another shift tonight and our pa would skin us alive if we come home without our wages."
The woman's heart was moved with pity particularly at the cat's pathetic sad look. She then took two bright shiny apples from her cart and put them in their hands. "These are for you, no charge."
John made a show of giving it back. "No, ma'am I couldn't. We can't take charity."
The woman shook her head, "It's not charity. It's a gift."
John hesitated. "Well…if you say so," he said. Both he and Gideon munched the apples hungrily. John smiled. Maybe there was a future in the con game for Gideon after all.

Jem stood outside the pub that he saw the familiar black carriage. He hid behind the wall as he saw Ebonrude step out braced by two beautiful prostitutes, clearly drunk. He cradled the gun that he stole from a police officer earlier in his grasp. He clutched the revolver in his hand and he felt his fingers go through the hole. Jem waited until Ebonrude led the prostitutes in his carriage. For a moment he turned to face Jem's
direction. Seeing his chance, Jem fired his gun at the Lord. Ebonrude stared at Jem as he collapsed and fell to the ground. The prostitutes screamed and ran out of the carriage. By now, a crowd had gathered around. Voices began chattering at once. A cop, the same one that Jem stole the gun from, tapped him on the shoulder. "Give me the gun, lad," the cop said sternly. By now, John and Gideon found their way through the crowd. "What happened? Dad! What happened?" The cop retrieved the gun from Jem's and slapped handcuffs on him. "What's going on, officer? That's my father!" John yelled.
"I'm sorry son, we have to take him to Scotland Yard," the man said as he put him in their wagon. John and Gideon exchanged terrified glances as the carriage pulled away. They were about to step away from the crowd, when they felt a rough hand grab them. It was another cop. "So, he's your father, eh? Got any other family?"
John caught his meaning and was about to come up with a creative elaborate story, when Gideon shook his head. "Then it's to the workhouse with you kids!" he resolved. He grabbed them and forced them to come with him.

A few days later, John watched his father enter the courtroom. He seemed somewhat back to normal, but he looked a lot older than he had in a long time. John knew now that his father had made headlines with Lord Ebonrude's murder, a lot of his former clients had found out about him. Even if he were found not guilty, he would never get another job because most people would recognize him.
Braced by two police officers, Jem walked by Duchess Bijou. The Persian cat was dressed entirely in a black outfit. The duchess stood face to face with the con artist. "Hello madam," he said. But that was as far as he got when she slapped him across the face. "Keep away from me, Mr. Foulfellow," she threatened.
"Charming woman," Jem said as he was led to the defense seat.
The judge glared down at Jem imperiously. "Mr. James Foulfellow, you have been accused of the murder of Lord Druitt Ebonrude on 15th August, 1875. How do you plead?"
"Well, I suppose I should plead guilty since everyone saw it," Jem said sarcastically. "But a judge as intelligent as yourself could help me find your way out of this."
The judge glared at him. "Mr. Foulfellow, you can not charm your way out of this one. Please, be seated."
John and Jem's eyes caught each other and they smiled wistfully. Gideon was asleep next to John on one of the seats unaware of what was going on. Secretly, John hoped things would be okay, but something at the pit of his stomach knew they wouldn't.

Two days later, John was positive it wasn't going to turn out well at all. The judge looked at the jury. "Has the jury reached a verdict?," he asked.
"We have your honor," a juror said handing a slip of paper to the bailiff. The bailiff then handed it to the judge. The judge opened the envelope, then looked at the defendant. "Will the defendant please rise?" Jem rose, all color drained from his face. "Do you have anything to say in the proceedings?" Jem shook his head and John felt his eyes fill for what he knew was coming. "The jury finds you guilty of first degree murder. You will receive the highest punishment possible. In two days time on 5th September, in the year of our Lord 1875, you will be taken to the courtyard outside of Northgate prison and there you will hang by the neck until you are dead. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul." Jem looked down showing no expression on his face.

The workhouse warden glared at John through his beady gaze. He roughly pushed him close to him. "Stay here!," he demanded. "And stand up straight!"
"I am!," John yelled back, "Don't push me, Bobby!"
"Enjoy it, Little Bloke, this'll be your future one day and from their maybe you'll go straight to Hell!," the warden sneered.
"Sounds fine to me," John said sarcastically.
Finding no answer, the warden shoved him to the guard. "This brat wants to see his dad!"
The guard pointed at the far end. "Cell block D3, far right. He's still around!" He then turned to the warden. "So, how you doing Herb?"
John ran to his father. Jem stood up to greet him. "Hey Johnny," he said.
John tried to smile as he saw his father in his cramped cell. "Dad, I got to get you out of here!"
Jem shook his head. "No."
"No? Dad, they are going to execute you soon," John reminded him. "Besides, we'd been through tougher spots than this. Remember the Sultan who had you imprisoned because you wouldn't marry his daughter?"
"Yes, lovely dance you did there," Jem recalled, but then sprang back to normal. "No, it's over for me. I don't want you to waste valuable time escaping for you. Now please do this!"
John was about to protest, but then he nodded. "Then, I want to stay here with you."
His father tried to smile. "No, I don't want you watching this. I want you to remember me as your father, the swell guy who taught you to lie without getting caught. And I don't want Gideon to see this either. Take care of him, you're his only family now."
John looked down at his shoes, not wanting his father to see the tears that were beginning to form. "Okay, Dad, I never told you that-"
"Don't you aim to get all mushy, right?" Jem said putting the palm of his hand on the cell. John did too. The two hands touched for a few minutes. "I should have been a better father to you."
"Yes you were," John corrected. "Out of the father's I ever had, you were the best."
Jem looked up to see the warden approach with two guards, and a priest. "Uh Oh, this is it for me. Now go on scram get out of here and don't let anyone see you."
John looked back at his father as the warden dragged him away. John kept looking back at the cell to get a last glimpse of his father. He could see the priest leading him in Last Confession, but always their eyes held on each other until John was gone.

Later that evening, John tiptoed downstairs from the workhouse building. He heard the other kids snoring on the floor and he made sure he didn't step over any of them or wake them up. Right now, my dad's dead, he thought, no don't even think of that now! He didn't want to cry again for his father, he had been doing enough crying that day. Now, was the time to be brave and stealthy. Now, had to be his only chance of his escape if he didn't do it now he never would.
He watched as the laundress' buggy pulled up to the side of the workhouse. Without another thought about it he wrapped himself tightly in one of the laundry bags and curled up in there.
The ride was hard and bumpy and John felt ill each time that the carriage banged against a rock. Despite his discomfort, John did his best to stay frozen and not wiggle or cry out. He wondered where he was, but all he could see was the white cloth in front of him. He felt guilty that he didn't bring Gideon along, but he tried to reassure himself with the fact that he would slow him down. Besides, he's better off at the workhouse than the uncertain future out here. Finally, the buggy stopped and John held his breath as he listened for the woman to walk around to the side. He gulped as she peeled open the bags to get the laundry.
"Here now," she yelled. "What are you doing here?" John looked up in surprise, he was still in his bag there was no way she could have seen him, so who was she yelling at?
John poked his head out of his bag and saw the woman grab Gideon by the neck.
Furious, John unwrapped his bag and grabbed Gideon and pushed the woman. "Come on, Giddy! Let's get out of here!" Gideon and him ran off the cart and ran.
When they got far enough from the woman, John held Gideon a little roughly. "How did you get here? Where you following me?" Gideon looked wistful, then nodded. Then, he sucked his thumb. "What am I supposed to do with you?" John said, feeling his resolve weaken already. "Now, you're only going to slow me down. I can't deal with you, you have to go back, march!" John pointed, but Gideon gave him a sad pathetic look.
John sighed, but then felt ashamed. "I promised Dad, besides I can't take you back now. Oh bloody, hell! You can come," Gideon smiled delightedly.
"We're going to stay together until we become stinking rich and then we go our separate ways," John said. "I don't know you, you don't know me. Got it, partner?" John stuck out his hand and Gideon took it warmly.
John then looked around. "Now, there has to be a town full of suckers, let's find one!"