(Continuing Kate's posts:) Carl goes upstairs and returns holding a mug out at arm's length. Half a dozen penguins are scrabbling about, making penguin noises. Carl's free hand is covering one ear. "Gawd, the racket these beggars make!"
Kate turns from the hob, nodding. "They do squabble, don't they? It's because I traded mugs and they liked the bigger one better." Set them down and go find yer mate, breakfast is almost done." She opens the door and sets the mug on the step outside. "Go join that polar bear next door in the pond, you'll find the temperature much more to your liking out there, I'm thinking." The six birds flop out of the mug headfirst and scoot over the snow to the garden pond where the bear is happily chasing goldfish. Soon there is a lively game of tag in the pond with a dozen goldfish, six penguins and a smallish polar bear.
Back in Kate's house she and the two Feds are breakfasting on tea and scones; the Feds are wolfing down scones spread thickly with Kate's homemade marmalade when there is a scratching at the door. Carl opens it to see the step covered with shivering creatures. "It's too cold out here!" the bear grumps, its teeth chattering, "We're spoiled to being indoors. The teapot was cozy and the penguins agree; we want to go somewhere warm. Listen to their little bills clattering with cold." With rattling beaks they stream in between Carl's feet, followed by the bear carrying its suitcase.
"Well, what do you think I am going to do about that?" Kate asks, but it is not the polar bear that answers, but the Fed and Carl in unison: "D'you think your scanner might work again and send them to Jean's? We remember it was warm there when you sent us there. Of course you didn't know that was where you were sending us, but that's where we ended up." They too would like a warmer spot. Kate thinks a minute and sees this might just get rid of the Feds too: get them all around the scanner holding hands, paws, and flipper-wing things, put the bear on the scanner, punch the ON button and hope they all disappear so she can get back to her sewing.
So to the scanner they go, Kate in the lead. She warms it up and tells the penguins to stop waving their flippin' flippers. Carl and the Fed are hopeful they do land at Jean's since she made them more or less welcome once she realized they could be talked into actually doing something useful.
With some scuffling about the circle is finally completed and Kate lifts the polar bear up onto the scanner bed, suitcase, Raybans and all. Carl and the Fed each hold a bear paw and a penguin flipper; penguins complete the ring. Kate wished she had a picture of this insane sight, but thinks better of leaving the room for the camera and taps the ON button. With a swirly puff of smoke the scanner chatters a bit and the strange circle fades away...
Jean hears a clatter downstairs and wonders what could have made the racket since she is alone at home. Well, she thinks she is alone but when she starts down the stairs she sees a parade of small penguins in the hall. She rubs her eyes and looks again; yes, they are penguins and they appear to be accompanied by a sunglass-wearing polar bear. That grape juice she had at breakfast must have fermented! But no, there are the Feds, too, and Jean has it figured out. Kate at the scanner again!
(to be continued)