The Foot Chase

Hotchett scampered up the bookshelf and waited silently atop it. He gripped its edges and leaned forward. Resembling something like a gargoyle, he remained completely still until at last, he heard the "thump." He cocked his head right and left.

"The thump-thump is on the stairs," he rasped. The noise stopped, and Hotchett covered his mouth with both hands. It resumed its trek down the stairs. He let out his breath and slid to the floor. Knowing his movement would be muffled by the plush carpet, Hotchett moved behind a chair near the staircase. The noise was louder, almost as loud as the rapid beating of his own thump, thump.

"Here it comes! Here it comes!" he thought. First a yellow toenail peeped around the corner, then three toes, and then Hotchett flew from his hiding place. He had his hands around the ankle.

"No more games," he grunted. "I am clipping your toenails, and that's that!" The foot began kicking wildly at his face. But Hotchett had it pinned. From somewhere deep in his pocket, he pulled a thick rope. It only took him half an hour to tie it to the wooden board. A pair of toenail clippers appeared while the foot thrashed against the rough wood.

"Stop that. You'll give yourself splinters." A loud rap sounded at the door, and Hotchett sighed. He walked to the door and put on his most dejected face. Mr. McBrady waited outside, arms crossed. They both knew what was coming.

"Mr. McBrady," Hotchett swung the door open, "Of all the feet I have had to deal with, yours is the worst."

McBrady narrowed his eyes. "He's just misunderstood that's all."

"Then he'll have to be misunderstood elsewhere. I have tied to the board downstairs, so I'll file his nails, but nothing else. I'm through." Finally, McBrady nodded, and hobbled on his singular foot behind Hotchett into the basement. But the foot was gone. Tears sprang into the one-footed man's eyes.

"He was my favorite foot!" The foot barber patted his arm, and said consolingly,

"I hear they're selling them for half price down at the Cuticle."