The Wabbit makes his Appeal Speech for Kaninchenrettung

When the Wabbit reached the Kaninchenrettung compound he was most impressed. Some wabbits gathered round and murmured "It's Herr Kaninchen, the Wabbit." Others seemed to know him only as the Jazz Wabbit. There was polite applause for a considerable time. The Wabbit waited for it to subside and then began with a question. "Fellow wabbits! What are your just and fair requirements?" A young wabbit at the rear binkied high in the air and cried "Homes, carrots, health care!" Another said, "We urgently need vet's funds. Through no fault of our own our bills are prodigious." The Wabbit nodded in sympathy and continued. "Wabbits have made considerable gains in recent times." He paused again as sounds of agreement echoed round the compound. The Wabbit went on. "Still, we remain in the shade of other mammals. And so we must find allies as did the Free Wabbits of Turin who are regularly fed by market traders. There are those in the mammal community who will support us in times of need. They are our chief allies." "But we don't know where to find them," said the young wabbit. "The Wabbit glanced at his notes and looked back up. "They will find you. Your friends, supporters and admirers must go to the Kaninchenrettung Web Site on the Internet and press computer keys," said the Wabbit knowledgeably. "Everyone gives a small amount with their credit card." "... with PayPal," shouted the young wabbit and she binkied a considerable distance. "Just the job," said the Wabbit colloquially and bowed. A tall wabbit in the centre of the compound then approached the Wabbit and said "Do you think it will work?" But something had caught the Wabbit's attention and he glanced into the sky. "I think its already starting," he replied to to the tall wabbit quietly. And he turned to the audience and raised a paw. "Seid umschlungen, Kaninchens!" And the Wabbit put up a silent prayer that the wabbits would indeed be embraced. Yet he knew in his heart that there were many out there willing to help the wabbits. "Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt," murmured the Wabbit.

The Wabbit meets his Contact at Kaninchenrettung

Turbina slid smoothly into a clearing on the outskirts of town and the Wabbit alighted to meet his contact. "I can tell by your car, that you are the Wabbit." said the waiting wabbit." Ich freue mich Sie kennenzulernen," replied the Wabbit, because he was very pleased indeed to make his acquaintance. "I am in charge of security and I am detailed to take you through the forest to the Kaninchenrettung compound." The Wabbit knew that meant Wabbit Rescue and he was rather excited. He was thinking about what the Kaninchenrettung compound might look like and how he would be received, when the security wabbit broke in. "Herr Kaninchen, the wabbits are looking forward to your speech." The Wabbit stopped in his tracks. There was nothing in his mission papers about a speech. "Ah, yes, my speech," said the Wabbit. His mind raced. "I will of course, play it by ear." he said finally. The security wabbit started to lead the way through the forest and just as the Wabbit started to hop closely behind, he turned. "I understand you like jazz, Herr Kaninchen," The Wabbit replied enthusiastically in the affirmative. "You are perhaps familiar with Albert Mangelsdorff," said his contact. "Tell me more," said the Wabbit, as together they hopped happily through the trees to Kaninchenrettung.

The Wabbit presents his Credentials

Turbina took the Wabbit straight to the Town Hall. The Wabbit didn't have to look at his map. "Oh, what a nice building," thought the Wabbit. He knew it was called the Rathaus, because his mission papers specified that he must there present his credentials. The Wabbit had been met by the Mayor. "We are expecting you," the Mayor had spoken in a pleasant voice. The Wabbit had then presented his diplomatic pass, which was inspected with approval. Then he was given a wonderful packed lunch, presented in a tray with compartments. In each compartment there was a portion of his favourite food - sliced carrots, artichoke tubers and gourmet pellets. "Ich bin Ihnen sehr dankbar," the Wabbit had responded, because his tummy was rumbling and he was very grateful indeed. Everyone in the building came out and stood on the stairs and waved. "Viel Glück, Herr Kaninchen!" The Wabbit had been quite overcome. Now, as he sat in Turbina, he wondered quite where he was supposed to go and he realised he had forgotten to ask. The Wabbit slapped his paw across his forehead and said to Turbina "I suppose you know." "I do." said Turbina.

The Wabbit hops Out on Mission

The Wabbit was feeling in a determined mood. He had read his mission papers during the flight and he was confident of success. He was to pick up Turbina, the jet car, outside the airport and drive the short distance to Rosbach vor der Höhe. It was only 25 kilometers away and the Wabbit thought he could surely have cartwheeled that distance in no time. But Turbina it had to be. It had been adapted for his paws and so had to be tested - and that was that. The Wabbit looked for the car park exit and as he hopped, he wondered what Rosbach vor der Höhe would be like. He had never been in Germany before and so he turned on the special translation unit in his ears. Then all at once he spotted a tall man holding up a very large sign and the very large sign said "Herr Kaninchen for Turbina," "Oooh that's me," said the Wabbit. "I am that very Kaninchen." "Please follow me," said the tall man, who quickly ushered the Wabbit through a side door and into his car. The Wabbit sat for a second. Then he opened the throttle and suddenly the Wabbit had gone.

The Wabbit gets orders from the General

The Wabbit was staring out the window, convinced that he could see a familiar helichopper, when the Captain's voice boomed over the tannoy. "Mr Wabbit! Incoming communication for you from La Generale Lapinette. I'll patch it through." The Wabbit's eyes shot up as far as they could possibly go. A steward handed the Wabbit a headset and, not without a little difficulty, he put the headphones on his ears. "Em, you were promoted, Lapinette?" "Because I'm worth it!" Lapinette laughed her infectious laugh and continued. "Your mission has been changed. Orders from on high." "Higher than you?" The Wabbit asked this in tone of voice that he thought was humorous. Lapinette ignored the Wabbit's misplaced wit. "It is an extremely important wabbit matter. You are diverted to Frankfurt, where you will proceed on a mission of the utmost importance." "Is it Importantly Important?" The Wabbit thought everything was considered important these days and liked to make sure of the relative importance of everything. "It is most urgently important." said Lapinette. The Wabbit noticed that the steward had placed a bulky envelope marked Mission Papers behind the net on the back of the seat in front. "Copy that Generale," said the Wabbit, getting his terms right for once. "Buon viaggio, bello. Out," said Lapinette without further ado and the Wabbit saw the helichopper fade into the distance.

The Wabbit Takes Off in a Hurry

Having been waved through the Gate and onto the airport bus, the Wabbit was a little relieved he wasn't getting special treatment. He would be able to relax and read all the papers from the net on the back off the seat in front. Maybe he would order a salad sandwich from the trolley. A pang of hunger shot through the Wabbits tummy at the thought. But suddenly the doors closed and he found himself completely alone as the bus lurched out to the Big Green Plane. The Wabbit looked out and saw many disgruntled passengers making their way off the plane. "Not normal, not normal at all," thought the Wabbit. He slid quietly into the shadows at the side of the bus and listened. "I must take exception to all this. I've never had such treatment. Throwing all of us off!" A woman with a rucksack that was far to big for her complained bitterly. "Apparently its a matter of international security," said her partner soothingly. "We should feel privileged to help and they're going to give us a free lunch." The Wabbit put a paw up to his brow and shook his head from side to side. "I think it may be time for me to be be getting along promptly," he thought. He put his head down, his ears right back and then he sprinted lickedy-split for the plane. He shot straight up the steps and he neither stopped nor looked back until he was through the doors. The Wabbit collapsed in Seat 1C and straightened his fur as the plane taxied out to the runway. "Here we go again," murmured the Wabbit. "Seat Belt, Mr Wabbit." The friendly steward fastened him in and he heard the turbines roar. The very next thing the Wabbit knew, he was looking out at a rosy sun that painted the snow-peaked Alps a delicate shade of pink.

The Wabbit gets help with his Bags

Strictly speaking, the Wabbit did not need a trolley to help carry his bag, even if his bag was heavier than it used to be. He had also acquired a temporary bag from Lapinette and though it was a little flowery for his taste, it was, as the Wabbit always put it, "serviceable". "Where are you going small wabbit?" A friendly voice boomed out from behind the Wabbit's trolley. "The Big Green Plane! said the Wabbit immediately. "I am going to the Big Green Plane too," said the voice. "May I be of any assistance?" "My bag is quite small," said the Wabbit, who was not that keen on being called "small wabbit". He felt it unbecoming for a Wabbit of his considerable merits to be addressed thus. All the same, it was a friendly voice and a friendly offer so he decided to accept. That was just as well for the Wabbit, who then enquired, "May I ask your name?" "My name is Captain Sean of the Big Green Plane. "What a coincidence," said the Wabbit. "Are you familiar with helichoppers? " I'm afraid not," laughed Captain Sean. "But I am familiar with the Airbus 320." The Wabbit was quiet. He didn't think an Airbus sounded half as exciting as an Augusta-Bell AB412, but was far too polite to say anything of the sort. The Captain pushed the Wabbit's bags all the way to the Gate. "That was very nice of you, thank you" said the Wabbit. "Please take one of my new business cards." The Captain didn't seem to think it strange that a wabbit would have a business card. "Thank you," said the Captain. "One never knows when one might need the services of a wabbit such as yourself." You're certainly right there," thought the Wabbit.

The Wabbit gets a Surprise Cake

The dinner had been excellent and Wabbit, Lovely Lapinette and Franco Contadino were all extremely happy. Then suddenly, as if by magic, a giant cake arrived on the table. "Whats this?" The Wabbit hadn't a clue where the cake came from. "It's cake," said Lapinette. Franco chimed in. " Cake Sir! What to do? Sir!" The Wabbit was philosophical. "There's only one thing to do with cake. Perhaps it came from Sergio Marchionne." "He doesn't seem like the cake type - but it could be a present," said Lapinette as she picked up a small card that had gone unnoticed. She studied it closely. "It says it's from Sergio and the Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino." Lapinette put the card carefully in her bag. "That spells FIAT! Sir! That is the name of the Cake, Sir!" The Wabbit thought for a minute. "It's a celebration cake and it's just for us." Lapinette frowned. "There are some others who deserve some cake. All the staff at the Big CTO Hospital." The Wabbit pondered. "Clari Csuk, Sergio Marchionne and Moloch!" "What about the students you splashed? Lapinette looked disapprovingly. "Oh I'm sorry, send them some cake," said the Wabbit. Lapinette took some small plastic wrappers from her bag and together they cut off bits of cake for all their friends. They sat in silence for a while. The Wabbit broke the silence. " What kind of adventure was that, anyway?" Franco was swift in reply. "It was Italian neo-postmodern, Sir!" Lapinette and the Wabbit looked at Franco with big eyes. "Got you Sir," said Franco. And for the second time that day, they laughed and laughed and laughed.

The Wabbit rounds Things Off

The Wabbit saw to it that Sergio and his helichopper were dropped off at Lingotto in time for dinner. Now with Franco at his own controls, the Wabbit and the Lovely Lapinette sat in the passenger seats at the back and looked out at Turbina. "It will hold, of course," The Wabbit always worried. "Of course it will. Why do you always worry?" Lovely Lapinette was quite practical in these matters. "Oh, I don't know," said the Wabbit. As usual, when stuck for an answer, he tried of think of as many things as he possibly could. " Weight, wind velocity, downward thrust, turbulence, local atmospheric conditions?" The Wabbit ran out of technical terms and for a brief moment he was quiet until Franco broke in."Where to Sir? Orders, Sir!" The Wabbit turned to Lapinette. "He always calls me Sir." "Oh I know," said Lapinette. "He insists on calling me Marchesa and there is nothing I can do that will stop him." "Lets head for Milan," said the Wabbit. "I know a very good place for dinner." "Really? Celery, carrots, basil?" Lapinette was enthusiastic. "The very best ... " The Wabbit smiled, " ... and artichoke tubers." "Excellent Sir! Sounds good to me Sir! Setting a course for Linate, Sir! "There he goes again," said the Wabbit. Then to the Wabbit's surprise, Franco began to sing. "O mia bella Madonnina, che te brillet de lontan tutta dòra e piscinina, Ti te dòminet Milan/sòtta Ti se viv la vita, se sta mai coj man in man." "I thought he was from Turin," said the Wabbit. "Apparently not," giggled Lapinette. And they both giggled and laughed until they fell fast asleep.

The Wabbit has to Jump

The Wabbit didn't take long to circle the parapet and he was already expecting a helichopper. But he had not expected such a special welcome. He looked out from the railings, astonished. Lovely Lapinette was piloting and his bodyguard, Franco Contadino looked out. Much to the Wabbit's surprise. Sergio Marchionne was there sitting beside Clari Csuk, the Wabbit's designer."Sir" Jump. Sir!" Franco called out to the Wabbit in his usual manner, cutting easily through the din of the engines and the rotor blades. The Wabbit's ears were buffeted by the wind from the blades and he shivered as his fur ruffled all over. He glanced over the rail and it looked a long, long way down, even for a wabbit. "New helichopper, Franco," shouted the Wabbit. He was trying to appear nonchalant but his voice was shaky. "Courtesy of Sergio, Sir! Less turbulence, Sir." Lapinette inched the helichopper in closer. "I can't get in any further than this Wabbit, we'll lose the blades. Just make a big hop." Then he heard a familar voice. "Don't forget your special ears, Wabbit," yelled Clari who had invented them. "Of course," shouted the Wabbit and engaged his ears. They made a soft and curious humming noise, inaudible to most above the sound of the helichopper. But the Wabbit could hear them. "It's funny to think that your ears sound good," thought the Wabbit. "Here I come, ready or not," the Wabbit exclaimed. "I won't even bother to shut my eyes." And he hopped out from the parapet and through the helichopper door with consummate ease. The Wabbit looked out from the door and bad farewell to the Mole as Lapinette took the helichopper back and then up. Then quick as you like the Lovely Lapinettte wheeled it around and the helichopper became a small yellow dot on the horizon.

The Wabbbit gets to the High Place

The Wabbit hopped out of the lift and the first thing he saw was Moloch. "That was quick," said the Wabbit. "I'm a God," said Moloch. The Wabbit thought that was fair enough, but neglected to say so. "Of course I had to secure a favour," added Moloch. The Wabbit thought this was best left ignored. "What is next?" The Wabbit put that politely. "You have to go around until you are behind the school children. I will distract them." The Wabbit shot Moloch a warning look. "I will amuse them with one of my many jokes," said Moloch. The Wabbit smiled and glanced over Moloch's shoulder at the skyline. He was becoming familiar with the city. Far off he could see Lingotto and he briefly wondered about Sergio and his furry sweater. "Can't you hear anything?" Moloch was insistent. The Wabbit didn't have to prick up his special ears. Now he was acutely aware of the dull choppedy-choppedy of a helichopper. "Let me make sure," said the Wabbit. "Round to the other side, behind the school children. Helichopper waiting?" "I said I'd get you home. Be quick," said Moloch." I'm gone. Be seeing you," said the Wabbit. He put down his ears and hunched his shoulders. Moloch tilted his head back and bellowed. "Baaaambini!" All the children turned and took photographs. The Wabbit sprang round the parapet and as he did he could hear Moloch's voice fading. "A funny thing happened to me when I was in Carthage ... " The Wabbit winced and sprang on.

The Wabbit enters the Presence of Moloch

The Wabbit, who was now at the front of everyone, hopped through the entrance and found himself at the feet of Moloch. "That was quick," thought the Wabbit, who had been expecting to make more effort. "I'd better hop around to the front and address him directly." The Wabbit thought he could afford to do this because Moloch looked restrained enough. But he had heard of Moloch and murmured to himself, "Well who hasn't heard of Moloch?" The Wabbit was philosophical about Gods. It was becoming second nature to talk to this and that sort of being. "There appear to be rather many," surmised the Wabbit. "Waaaaaabbit!" Suddenly the God Moloch howled a long Howl. The Wabbit was taken aback but decided to reply in kind. "Moooooloch!" There was no response so the Wabbit carried on. "I have heard of you from Cabiria. I trust you will not require a sacrifice." "Oh I've given all that up," said Moloch. "I quite turned over a new leaf. I have a steady job here and it's a nice little earner." "Well done. Good for you," said the Wabbit. "Good for you," he added. He felt a lot better now that he knew no particular sacrifice was involved. "Draw closer small Wabbit," said Moloch. The Wabbit hopped cautiously forward. "Your mission is complete and transport home is arranged. You will leave from a high place. "The Wabbit wondered whether Moloch was speaking metaphorically, but he looked up high anyway. "Apologies Moloch, I'm a wabbit not a squirrel," he said. "Take the lift, said Moloch. "Silly me," said the Wabbit.

The Wabbit revisits an Old Haunt

The Wabbit's hop turned in to a stroll. Insofar as it could be said that wabbits can stroll, the Wabbit had worked hard and practiced. Now, in his view, he felt he had perfected the art of the wabbit stroll. The Wabbit turned to look up, since he had been told that if he looked up he couldn't miss the Mole Antonelliana the symbol of Turin. The Wabbit had been known to miss quite large things, so every so often he suddenly looked up and around. "Do you know," mused the Wabbit. "I think I've seen this high place before." And he thought and thought and thought. Then it came to him in an instant and he remembered. "This is where I was, when I was in the Wrong Museum." The Wabbit wondered for a while if it was possible to be in the wrong museum. While he was wondering, a choppedy-choppedy sound took his attention, so he kept staring up for a while and squinted through his special glasses. It wasn't Franco Contadino's helichopper but it did look nice against the blue sky. The Wabbit's thoughts turned to his new attaché. What was Franco doing at this very moment? The Wabbit turned to the street and with some difficulty, hopped through the hundreds of school children. He avoided their many feet and the flashes from their phone cameras and studied the long queue for the museum. "Mmm," said the Wabbit. Then he spotted some senior citizens with special passes. "I also have a special pass," said the Wabbit loudly. So he took it out of his bag and waved it in the air as he attached himself to the silver-haired group. Soon he was in the museum. And he was right at the very front.

The Wabbit talks Hard Boiled.

The weather had improved by the time the Wabbit found his contact. He had only had to lope after the bus. When he reached Porta Nuova station, he knew where he was. The Wabbit hopped through familiar territory until he reached the Piazza San Carlo. "This is the time, this is the place, this is the fellow," murmured the Wabbit. He put his front paws on the wall and looked right up. The statue moved and spoke. "You the Wabbit?" " None other, " said the Wabbit. "You could use a drink," said the statue. "Do I look like I could use a drink," said the Wabbit. "Everyone could use a drink," said the statue. "May as well," said the Wabbit. The Wabbit had a good long drink and was surprised. He was instantly refreshed. The Wabbit patted his mouth with his paws. "You got further instructions," he said. It was a question but it came out like a statement. "Everyone needs further instructions," said the statue. The Wabbit thought the statue was a bit of a wise guy, and an old wise guy at that. He decided that he would humour him. "I gotta steer from Turbina, said you had the lowdown." Sure" said the statue "I'm a regular 411." This was lost on the Wabbit, but he ploughed on. "I'm supposed to see some guy." "You gotta see Moloch down at the Mole. He the main man. Importantly important." The Wabbit was ruffled. "That's my line," he murmured to himself. "Be seeing you," he said out loud and suddenly jumped in the water. He shook himself rapidly and water sprayed all around. Ignoring the high pitched yelps from the students on the wall, he hopped casually towards the Mole Antonelliana.

The Wabbit ponders in the City

The Wabbit loped across the city. Things were changing here and the Wabbit didn't like it. It was dry and dusty and grit blew in his eyes. He turned up his fur against the sharp wind and hopped onwards. Why was there so much travelling? Why were there so many instructions? Why hadn't he taken the Metro? There were too many questions for the Wabbit. So he tried to stop asking them and keep going. Three blocks west, two blocks north. What was it exactly that Turbina had said? "That was one more question," thought the Wabbit. He looked at the overcast sky and looked down again. He looked up and down and around. Then he hopped under some scaffolding and stopped. Some people passed but they didn't see the Wabbit. They were too busy eating ice cream. "Funny place to eat ice cream," thought the Wabbit. But then, as he readily acknowledged, there were some things that he had never quite worked out. The Wabbit thought if he could reach a main thoroughfare, he would know where he was. Then, even if it took longer, he could get to where had to go. In the distance he could see big orange buses rumble past, crowded with passengers. "That'll do," said the Wabbit to himself. Suddenly the Wabbit was gone. But a child saw the Wabbit and pointed. "Isn't that a wabbit running after a bus?" Her mother turned and spoke firmly. "Wabbits," she said, wiping ice cream from the child's face. "Wabbits ... are not in the habit of running after buses."