Fiddler was late for work, again. He rushed to the base of the tree that the Channel 1.5 offices were in and tripped over a root. Jumping up, he hobbled the rest of the way to the door, flung it open and made his way to the lift that would take him up to his office.

“It’s out of order, sweetheart.” The receptionist told him. “You’ll have to use the stairs.”

Fiddler figured the dormice who worked the lift pulleys must’ve been hibernating early this year. With a nod and mumbled thank-you, Fiddler rushed on and up the stairs. Finally after four flights he reached the top.

“Fiddler! Late again? Don’t let my father catch you!” Hazel, the Boss’s pretty daughter, stood smiling at him.

Fiddler grinned and shrugged apologetically. “Alarm didn’t go off,” he explained. “Where’s Delta?”

Hazel nodded towards one of the offices. “In there, waiting for you.” She grabbed Fiddler’s arm as he tried to pass her. “Fiddler, Delta said you’ve decided to enter the competition. What are you going to film? It has to be something good y’ know if you want to beat Marley.”

Fiddler smiled. “Oh, it’s going to be good all right. Hazel, I’m goin’ to film humans. Huge hairy horrible humans!”

Hazel laughed. Then she frowned. “You’re being serious aren’t you?”

Fiddler nodded, grinning madly. “It’s going to be brilliant!” Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to look into the eyes of the Boss. Hazel patted his paw and whispered, “Good luck!” before hurrying away.

Fiddler gulped. “Sir?”

The Boss frowned. “What time do you call this?”

Fiddler was eager to start his film with Delta and apologised profusely, bowing and shuffling backwards until the Boss got agitated and dismissed him. “Sorry, sir, won’t happen again, sir! Never late Fiddler, that’s what they’ll call me, sir! I won’t do it again, sir . . .”

“Okay!” The Boss waved his paws angrily at the younger mouse. “Just go and get on with your work.”

Fiddler grinned and rushed to his office. He expected to find Delta there but the rat had obviously got fed up with waiting for him. The mouse grabbed a quick drink, then hurried to catch up with his camera-rat and start filming.