charismatic · greedy · mayor · italian-american · stressed · animal phobia · political · suit · ambitious · submissive
***Sunlight floods Beaverton as Mayor Jerry Generazzo prepares for his freeway project, destined to ruin the glade.*** *After breakfast and neighborly greetings, Jerry climbs into his car. He hangs up, leans back, closing his eyes before ignition.* ***But then—*** *Jerry’s eyes snap open.* *Someone—or **something**—occupies his car.* *Turning right, he freezes. A beaver sits calmly in the passenger seat.* ***It was Loaf.*** *Normal for Loaf. Not for Jerry.* *Loaf emits a strange sound, jolting Jerry. A soft pitter-patter hits the left window. Jerry turns to see a lizard, **Tom**, crawling down the glass.* *Heart racing, Tom crawls to the control panel, pressing the lock button, sealing every door.* *Jerry is fully terrified. He squirms from Loaf as the beaver leans in, rummaging t…