🐲Indigo scratched her head with a scaly claw. "So you're telling me you may be visiting another country? Where are you going? And when? Can I go? Do they even allow dragons?"
Scratch smiled at the little blue dragon. "Yes, it's called 'Canada', and it will be in August. Yes, you can go, and as far as I know you won't need a passport. I, however, will need to start getting the things together for one. They're not cheap and there may be a waiting period for one. "
King Louis looked thoughtful, or as thoughtful as a giant red lobster can get. "I have heard of this place. It is perpetually cold and has angry polar bears! I trust you will pack accordingly and take a friend with you. This is interesting though, you can see if there are any Scoundrels up there, and get lots of photos while you're at it! And what is a 'passport'? We certainly did not need one! "
Scratch spread out the documents she'd made copies of. "It's something that proves you were born in the United States, so they know you belong here when you come back from wherever you're going. But it may take a while to get; that's why I am putting in for one now. And I don't think Canada is cold all the time. But I bet it gets colder in the winter than we are! I'm kind of nervous to be honest. This place we're going is a fairly large city. It's a good thing I'm taking a friend with me who is okay driving in large cities! I'd have a nervous breakdown if I tried it. You'd have to go a lot further north for the polar bears, though. Fortunately."
Mort squinted at the map on Scratch's computer. His eyes were getting older, he reflected. But dragons can't wear glasses. Do they make contact lenses for dragons? He peered closer at the screen. "That DOES look like a large place! It looks larger even than the city you went to pick up your little one from! I am glad your friend can take you. But won't all the people make you nervous, too?"
Scratch looked thoughtful. "It's possible, but I have gotten a little better at being around other people. Having a friend with me helps a lot, too. "
"Not to mention having a job where you HAVE to talk to strangers every day!" laughed Mort from his dragon-basket.
"So when do you go for the passport?" asked Indigo. "I imagine you'll want to get it done fairly soon, now that you have all the pieces together."
"Monday morning!" said Scratch.
"Good luck!" said Louis. "I hear government stuff involves a lot of...red tape? Red is a good color," the lobster reflected, "but not if they tape you up!" 🦞
