A ragtag group of kids ringed the nearest table. I waved a hand. "James, guys; guys, James."

The penguin bowed. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said.

Frenchy LaTrine giggled. "Cool accent!"

"Do you know any kangaroos personally?" asked Tony Newt.

"A few," said the penguin. He scarfed down the rest of the muffin as I watched sadly. "I say, do you know what they call a lazy kangaroo?"

"No, what?" said Frenchy.

"A pouch potato," said Bland.

The girls shrieked with laughter; even my buddy Bo chuckled.

I didn't care. So what if the new guy was funny?

Shirley Chameleon elbowed Bo Newt. "Scoot over for James."

She didn't suggest they make room for me.

The penguin squeezed his bubble butt in between them. He vacuumed the last muffin fragments off her plate.

"What do you do for fun , James?" asked Shirley, batting her eyes.

I didn't care. Although Shirley had a crush on me , she was free to fling her cooties wherever she wanted.

Bland angled his hat. "Actually, I do a spot of detective work," he said.

Detective work? Now, wait just a boll-weevil-pickin' minute!