Rocky knocked on Jazzy’s bedroom door. She opened it and found Jazzy on the bed while Ralph sat on the chair. “Hey, are you going to use the bathroom?”

Jazzy shook her head. Ralph followed by shaking his head too.

“Good. I’m going to take my shower now,” Rocky said.

Jazzy bobbed her head, as did Ralph. Rocky giggled before closing the door.

“Hey, stop imitating me,” Jazzy complained.

Ralph typed. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

“Hee-hee. Anyway, you are heavy. Does that mean you are now a dog or still a puppy?”

I’m a dog since I won’t grow any bigger anymore.

Okay. So, tell me, Ralph, the dog. Are you an alien? Or are you from the future?”

Neither. I am a state-of-the-art AI fawn French bulldog.

“Darn it! You are not ET or the Terminator. Wait a minute. That’s even better because you’re my one and only fawn French bulldog.”

RULF! Ralph nodded.

“So, why are you here? Did you come here because today happens to be my birthday?”

Yes, I came to your birthday because my mission is to protect you and Raquel.

“Huh? What mission? And who sent you?”

I need to update my data first for me to know who sent me.

“Oh, okay. But you can do that later because I want some ice cream. Now, please behave when we go out. I don’t have a dog leash. That reminds me that I need to buy one tomorrow.”

Don’t bother buying me a leash because I don’t need one. I will always stay by your side.

“Wow. That’s even better. Let’s go then. Come on, Ralph.”

RULF! Ralph jumped off the chair.

“Wait. I almost forgot my wallet.”

Leaving their condominium unit, Jazzy closed the door without locking it. “Oopsie, I forgot to bring my keys.”

RULF! Ralph stared at Jazzy. Go back in and get it.

“I know I told Rocky I would never do it again, but that’s alright. We’ll be quick. It’s only downstairs.”

RULF! Ralph nodded. Okay. You’re the boss.

SWOOSH! Jazzy jumped down from the stairs. THUD! “Haha! I beat you.”

Ralph scratched his head. What? That’s not fair. I didn’t even know we were racing.

The duo walked to the lobby.

“Good evening, Wilson,” Jazzy greeted the nightshift guard at the lobby.

“Good evening, Jazzy,” Wilson replied with a smile. “Whoa! You have a new dog.”

“Yes, and his name is Ralph.”

“Hi, Ralph.”

RULF!

As the pair left their building, they encountered Hampshire residents staring at them.

“Hey, Ralph. Did you know I can read minds?” She closed her eyes and placed her fingers on the side of her head. “Hmm. I could picture their thoughts already. What do you know? Everybody thinks you are the cutest dog they have ever seen.”

Ralph wagged his tail. What can I say? I am so cute.

“Okay, Ralph. Let’s make a run to the guardhouse.”

Jazzy and Ralph sprinted, exiting Hampshire Place.

“Hooray!” Jazzy jumped into the air. “I win again!”

RULF! Ralph shook his head. How can I compete with you? Look at my short legs.

“Hey, Ralph. Turning right would lead us to New Wave Fast Food, but we’re going left to get me some ice cream.”

RULF! Ralph nodded. I got it. Thanks for the information.

When they reached the convenience store, she patted her dog on the head. “Sorry, Ralph. I don’t think dogs are allowed inside. So, stay right here, okay? I promise I’ll be quick.”

RULF! Ralph wagged his tail. No problem. Take all the time you need.

Entering the store, Jazzy marched straight to the ice cream freezer. “Where is it? A-ha!” She found a vegan ice cream bar. How much does this cost? She gasped at the price. It’s so expensive. Hmm. Just this once since it’s my birthday, after all.

“Good evening, ma’am,” the bubbly female cashier greeted.

“Good evening. Here you go.” Jazzy paid for her ice cream and rushed out of the store.

RULF! You weren’t kidding when you said you’d be quick.

“Come on, Ralph. Let’s go to that side. There’s a bench over there.”

Ralph nodded.

Jazzy sat on the bench eating her ice cream. “Darn it! I forgot my face mask and face shield. Hey, Ralph. Do you think I might get COVID-19 tonight?

Ralph shook his head.

“I hope you’re right. Anyway, I need to stop being forgetful. You know, from face masks to keys and locking doors. I don’t want Rocky to get mad at me ever again.”

Ralph wagged his tail. Good to hear you say that, Jazzy.

After finishing her ice cream, she noticed several people gathering around. “Huh? Why are there so many people here all of a sudden? Is there a big sale or something?” Her eyes widened when she spotted a shiny blue Bentley. “Whoa! Look at that, Ralph. What a cool car.”

RULF! That’s a Bentley Flying Spur, one of the most expensive cars in the world.

“You don’t get to see expensive cars here often, not since the lockdown.”

Jazzy peeked through the glass walls of the convenience store. Her eyes widened while Ralph growled at the sight. “Blood!” She placed her hands over her mouth. “Cheese and rice! Someone’s hurt. Ralph, we need to do something.”

Ralph shook his head. I know that, but your safety is my priority.

Jazzy crouched as the golfer exited the store. “Who’s that guy? Wait a minute. That music, I know this one.” She snapped her fingers. “It’s Vivaldi, Spring 1st movement. Daddy told me Mom loved classical music. Vivaldi and the Four Seasons is her favorite.”

Peeping into the store again, Jazzy saw four people cleaning the bloody mess. “Ew! What are they doing?”

Three muffled gunshots screamed through the Four Seasons.

“Whoa! What’s that sound?” Jazzy jumped up and down behind the crowd. “I cannot see anything. There are too many tall people blocking my view.”

RULF! It sounded like gunshots.

Jazzy saw the Bentley driving away. “That car is gone. It must belong to that golfer.” She noticed the door opening. “Now, what are they doing this time?”

The four people tossed the body outside.

“Cheese and rice! He’s dead.” Jazzy gasped. “They just threw him out like he’s nothing.

RULF! I need to update my data as soon as possible.

Soon, Jazzy and Ralph saw three thugs on the ground.

“Ralph, we need to go back and tell Rocky. She’ll know what to do.”

RULF! Good idea.

As they approached the guardhouse, a flying drone passed over them. Jazzy told the guard what she saw in the convenience store. Grabbing the radio, the guard said they would take care of it.

Entering Hampshire Place, Jazzy and Ralph marched towards their building while the drone moved in closer. She looked up. “Huh? Is that a drone?”

The drone flew away while Jazzy and Ralph entered their building.

“Hey, Wilson. We saw a dead man in the convenience store and maybe three more guys outside.”

“Yes, I heard,” Wilson replied. “Go home, Miss Jazzy. The guards of Hampshire Place will take care of it.”

Meanwhile, the drone floated into an open window of a black Honda Civic parked across the street. The driver examined a close-up picture of Jazzy before driving away.