Chapter 12

The cousins looked at each other.

Frank said, “Have we been insulted?”

Both turned and stared at Company.

Like twins, “Have we?”

“What?”

“Been insulted?” said Frank.

“About what?”

“The food!” Ernie was close to livid.

“No ... heaven forfend. It’s all good ... but ... I have to cut down ... and ... Wendy burgers and fries are the best.”

“Is it going to be enough?” asked the cousins.

“If it’s not I’ll time it to northern Australia and pig out on Crocktail.”

“Oh,” them again.

“If I get feeling like a good fight ... that’s where I go ... Saltwater crocks and giant sharks,” she said, “I believe they’re called Megalodon by those who decide.”

Now confused, the cousins asked, “Who decides?”

“What?” Company’s turn to be confused.

“That’s what we want to know ... who decides the names?”

“Which names?”

“Names like Pterodactyl and dinosaur and what you said.”

“Megalodon?”

“Yeah ... that one,” said like twins ... again.

“Usually it’s the scientist who finds the first one,” said Company.

“Okay.”

“But ... sometimes ... it’s by committee.”

“OooKaay. Randomness.”

“Yup. Bunch of Paleontologists get together and make up names ... the harder to spell and pronounce the better.”

“Ya know ... you’re funny,” Frank said.

“Funny? Ha Ha or Sheesh?”

“Yup ... funny,” and they both fell out laughing.

Tyche and Junior came in.

“Company!” Junior shouted, “You’re back.” It has to be admitted, though. She sniffed ... before the hug.