Episode 7

He reached under the table and tried to squeeze Red’s knee. He went into a laughing spasm as she jumped back from the table and shook her head.

Jack watched in awe as Rumpelstiltskin gulped down the ale in one huge swallow. Then he drank the rest of Snow White’s ale in another swallow. He wiped his mouth and beard with a cleaning rag the waitress had left on the table.

Jack took two swallows to finish his ale. He saw Red set down an empty glass a split second before his. “I want to borrow five dollars. I need to buy a six pac for my mom.”

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. “Sorry about that old friend but I’m broke. My girl has yet to spin straw into a single piece of gold. But come on, I sure one of the seven uglies will loan you money for your sweet mom.”

Red Ridinghood grabbed Jack’s hand and pulled him outside. “Let’s go to Snow White’s. The trolls are a lot of fun and one of them may even loan you money.” She squeezed his hand and winked. “We can have lots of fun.”

Jack smiled for the first time. He began walking briskly to keep up with Snow White and her prince charming.

Rumpelstiltskin reached the yard of a large cottage and held up his hand. “Listen to those guys. I could hear them a hundred yard away.” He trotted to the door, opened it without knocking and went in.

Dopey stepped outside and waved the others in.