“I’ve always felt the same way. Mandy did, too. If only Cady could remember. You don’t think she’s in any danger, do you?”

“No,” Mandy said.

“Absolutely not,” Anthony said.

“You’re both lying.”

“You down there!” A voice from the top of the embankment bellowed. “Stay right there and don’t move. Don’t even twitch. What the hell did you do here?”

Lola stared up at the police officer, who appeared to be ten feet tall. “Why, Officer, whatever do you mean? We’re just sitting here having a picnic. Why are you shouting like that?” Lola said, batting her false eyelashes under her fishing cap.

“Where are all the signs? Where the hell is the fence? Who cut the weeds down?”

“What are you talking about, Officer? What signs? What fence? What weeds are you referring to?”

“You homeless people are starting to get on my nerves. I’m going to run you all in?”

“Homeless people!” Mandy shrieked. “Run us in for what? We’re sitting here having a picnic. You can’t take us to jail for having a picnic. Don’t even think about it.”

“Who cut the grass and weeds?” the officer bellowed again.

“Do we look like we cut grass? I have a gardener who does that. I’m Lola Jor Dan,” she said imperiously.

“I don’t care if you’re Daisy Duck. Somebody cut this grass. It was overgrown yesterday. There were eleven signs here yesterday, too, and at least a mile of plastic fencing. It surrounded the entire pond. Where the hell is it?”

“What’s your name and badge number? I don’t have to listen to your abusive language, young man. Now, skedaddle, and stop bothering us. Are you drinking on duty or sniffing that…whatever it is you young people sniff?” Lola demanded.

“This is a no trespassing area. It’s been posted for twenty years. There’s a fine for trespassing. Don’t even think about getting smart with me, lady.”

“Where’s the sign? Show me a sign that says we can’t be here. Ha! You see, you can’t produce one sign. We aren’t budging.” Lola looked from one to the other. “This might be a good time for us to lawyer up. You know, have our lawyer come here. And, I’d like to see the police chief come out here, too. Anthony, you have your cell phone with you. Make the calls. I think we just put our ball into motion. I’m all atwitter. Are you all atwitter, Mandy?”

“Shut up, Lola.”

“Don’t any of you move. I’m calling this in. Stay put and I mean it.”

“I’ve never been arrested before. Another little scenario for my memoirs. This is just too delicious for words,” Lola said happily.

“Think about this, Miss Movie Star. Your picture is going to be in the paper in that getup you’re wearing,” Mandy said sourly.

“A star is a star, Mandy. I’m preparing for my role in the movie we’re going to be making. I’m playing a character part. My public will love it.

“Now, I want you two to listen to me. Anthony, try to look feeble. Drooling will help. Mandy, say stupid things like you aren’t too bright.”