Mickey was floored by what must pass for a guard dog... or rather a guard plant in When-in-Rome! It was a living, breathing cactus, lively and affectionate as a puppy. Mickey noticed that the guard plant must have liked him because she jumped all over him to lick his face to welcome him. “Eh, eh good girl, good little... plant!” he declared amicably.

“Indeed, Gertie is a guard vegetable.” said a cold voice.

Mickey froze with fear, troubled by the grave, stern voice that came from behind him. Then he turned around cautiously, preparing to face the mysterious mistress of the house.

She appeared on the stairs, holding a candelabra that lit up the whole room with a gloomy light.

Mickey's eyes widened, not so much because of Gertie but because of Manny.

She was very similar to Minnie, with the exception of a pendant inscribed with the letter M around her neck, and her blue eyes. Her annoyed expression, however, was the same as his girlfriend's when Mickey forgot an anniversary.

Shortly thereafter, Mickey was dragged into her office, which had a large poster on the wall with Pipwolf's face on it. Underneath it declared that he was indeed a WANTED man.

Mickey, who wanted to make matters clear, told Manny the whole story, mentioning The Manual for the Perfect Guide . Upon hearing him refer to it as a “stupid book”, Manny became furious—she had written that book.

“Without that manual, you travelers would be lost! You think this is a place where you can simply have adventures, when in fact there is much more to it! This is a real world, with real inhabitants. The Land of the Impossible!”  she declared sternly.

As she said that, Manny pointed to the numerous volumes in her library. The titles made reference to the most fantastical creatures: vampires, mummies, ghosts...

Manny continued dejectedly, “Pipwolf is not bad, he is just afraid to take the official guides' exam.”

Mickey remembered that his friend had called himself a free spirit—that seemed to explain the conflict between him and Manny, whose job was to enforce the law!

Although many things remained a mystery, he was gradually beginning to understand the strange laws of the Land of the Impossible. His novice traveler's intuition told him that Pipwolf did well to keep out the way of the formidable Manny, but at the same time it reminded him that there was another reason for him being here.

“Anyhow, I have to give you an object sent by Toppersby.” Mickey declared.

Manny turned around, intrigued, but their conversation was interrupted by the sound of choking, as if someone was in danger.

The sight that greeted Manny and Mickey made their blood run cold. In the room was a fearsome creature, who had a sinister glow in his eyes; upon seeing the terrified expressions of Manny and Mickey, he grinned malevolently.

Gertie had been gagged and was furious; she had been captured by the terrifying creature and she was struggling, desperately trying to free herself.

The dreadful being was holding Pipwolf by the neck in his hideous claws. Mickey and Manny were paralyzed with fear; they wanted to help their friends, but what could they do against this unknown adversary?

What did he want from them?

A ghastly, hollow voice rang out through the room. “Toppersby wanted you to have a mirror: my mirror!”

Mickey shuddered. EXr6287u6NNVz+GYLY+7SBsrcqIjTEksQl6hvkLhtOzogwUEg6k7NKkMkEKPp6LyPax8lT9VnO+uJTeQipvxVw==