Chapter two

When Frosty arrived at the big top the ringmaster was reviewing the liontamer's act. The lions didn't stop Frosty. He blew into the ring with snow flying and screamed " What have you done with my newt? ! " " Your what? " " My newt, " repeated Frosty pointing at the ringmaster. " You have turned my newt into a lion. You see, the orange one. " The ringmaster asked security to escort Frosty from the tent. Rags offerred Frosty some tiramisu in an effort avoid a scene. Frosty couldn't resist. Rusty wished Rags would stop rescuing him, so their life could return to normal , a wish swimming with guilt.

Rags started designing a plan to convince Frosty that the lion was not a newt. Frosty was psychotic but he was logical. Rags first waited until Frosty had taken a few bites. He asked tentatively " How did you recognize Steve after all these years? " “Steve died four years ago,” Frosty replied suspiciously. Rags smiled. “I’m sorry, how could I have forgotten. It never occurred to me that you would replace Steve. Where did you find a newt in the snow?” Frosty often invented pets with quite complex origins. He kindled relationships with them but he couldn’t maintain a friendship, not even with someone imaginary who didn’t speak. Rags knew Frosty would never use the same story twice and dropped the subject.

Frosty got ready to resume his quest.