Ralph was a quiet fellow with a slender physique. He was a tall, green chameleon with a silver tongue, capable of swaying nearly all who had something to offer him.
From town to town and from job to job, he was run out in due time once the people had uncovered his true nature. There were times when he barely escaped, but it would have certainly escalated to violence were it not for his quick wit and deception. This frail frame allowed for a little more, leading him to develop his verbal abilities over a lifetime of cons.
As he started off on his long trek to a new city, where none would recognize his past dealings, he came to the realization that what he had been doing was not sustainable. At some point, he would run out of cities to run to in order to escape his own actions.
The city of Whitewall would be different.
He arrived early in the morning and went straight to work before he had even entered the gates. The large bullfrog that stood guard nodded in his direction as he passed, which was more than enough for the quick-witted chameleon to strike up a conversation.
“Hello sir, I don’t mean to be a bother. Would you by chance know where the nearest tavern is in your fine city?”
The bullfrog looked at him quietly, unimpressed, and responded, “Avery’s is down that street. Go four up and to the right for half a block and you’ll see it.”
“Thank you very much, and do you know if they are affordable for a traveler like myself?”
The bullfrog shifted his stance and looked around past the smiling chameleon’s shoulders.
“Aye, they’re not bad. I go there myself.”
“I am but a modest traveler. I’ve lost my family and friends, and have decided to leave home, so I may not be able to afford that which a brave soldier such as yourself would.”
The bullfrog’s gaze softened. “You’d be surprised, my friend, given the danger, skill, and work that go into this profession.”
The chameleon was locked on to the scent of weakness that he had just exposed.
“Well sir, you’re in luck. I have been an attorney for fifteen years before I left home, and it sounds like you might be entitled to more. Why don’t you meet me at the tavern later, and we’ll discuss these matters further.”
“That sounds good, thank you. I will see you later then.”
The chameleon tipped his hat with a slight bow and continued on towards the tavern.
Two streets from the gate, the chameleon came across a ferret who was sitting against one of the buildings asking for money. He changed his trajectory to pass directly in front of the old gray bum, knowing he would be asked for money.
“Do you have any change?” the ferret predictably asked.
The chameleon stopped and asked, “What is your name, friend?”
“George, and I’m hungry.”
“Well, my new friend George, you are in luck. I am in Whitewall to purchase a few apartment complexes, and I will gladly lend you a place to live with a stipend if you would agree to work for me.”
“Of course,” said the drunken ferret.
“It’s settled then,” said Ralph. “Meet me at the tavern sometime this weekend, and do feel free to bring anyone else you might know who happens to be down on their luck.”
With a tip of his hat, the chameleon was off, headed to the tavern for a much-needed beer.
It wasn’t long before he arrived and settled onto a stool. He slowly sipped at the foamy beer, and, in the hopes of getting the next one free of charge, he started sweet-talking the bartender.
“Most bars fail to provide the customer with a properly poured brew, but this one is fantastic,” the chameleon said as he raised his glass to the woman behind the bar.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Can I get you another one?”
“Certainly, thank you.”
Ralph observed the woman closely as she stepped off to the side to retrieve a new glass.
“You know, the reason I know so much about beverages such as this is because I myself own five taverns.”
The woman looked over at him curiously.
“What did you say your name was again?”
“Ralph. Maybe we can work out some sort of arrangement. I do happen to be looking for someone to run a few taverns.”
“I would certainly be interested. Here, this next one’s on the house,” the woman said as she slid the freshly poured beer across the table.
Ralph was pleased. He chatted with the woman for as long as possible, telling her all about how well off his other employees had become, and how she would surely see riches in her lifetime.
Unexpectedly, the chameleon felt a heavy hand rest on his shoulder, causing him to look to his right and find the massive bullfrog that had been positioned at the gate earlier that day.
“My friend, how are you?” Ralph said.
“Great, my brother. I thought I’d find you here. I’m happy you made it.”
“You two have been acquainted?” the woman asked.
“Yes, we met earli-” The chameleon was cut off by the boisterous toad.
“My new friend here is going to negotiate on my behalf for higher rates. He’s one of the most successful attorneys in the province,” the bullfrog said.
The chameleon smiled a toothless grin at the woman behind the bar.
“Is that right? He told me that he was the owner of many taverns and other establishments.”
At this, the truth began to unravel.
The frog turned slowly toward Ralph, his expression hardening, before he suddenly overpowered the weak chameleon and held him down, striking him repeatedly.
“Get him out of here!” the young bartender screamed as the guard dragged the helpless reptile out the door.
After the first bout of punches, a small group of ferrets had rounded the corner, led by George, the one Ralph had promised a home to.
“Let him go,” George said, running towards the scuffle.
“This man’s a con man. I’m taking him into custody by authority of the king.”
“Release him. I can vouch for him. He is no con man, but rather a well-to-do real estate developer. He even offered me a job.”
The frog stood up and faced the pack of ferrets, holding Ralph down with his back leg.
“Sure, he’s a real estate developer, just like he is an attorney or a restaurant owner, all depending on who you speak to.”
“You son of a bitch!” the ferret yelled as he leaped forward to kick at Ralph’s head, causing dirt and debris to become embedded in his eyes.
The large frog pushed the ferret back and stood Ralph up, turned him around, and dragged him off towards the gate where they had first met earlier that day.
Ralph didn’t spend even twelve hours in confinement before he was kneeling in front of a judge and entering into a guilty plea.
It was for his crimes that he was sentenced to labor in the mines.
In the end, the chameleon who could become anything to anyone was finally seen for what he was by nature.
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Jake LeoneRead More
T1
