Dot Com's First Adventure

DOT COM'S FIRST ADVENTURE
…how an ordinary schoolgirl became an INTERNET VOYAGER!
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Chapter 84 - Old Hieronymus "TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TAAAAAAAA!" There went the trumpet sound again - Dot remembered what it was called. A "fanfare", that's what it was. Then - with all the Mopple vans, hundreds and hundreds of them gathered in a half-circle, a song started playing. As it did so, a kind of sparkling light, like a wave of gold and blue, ran over the vans, up and down, back and forth. It went: "We're Mopples, we're Mopples, we always do our best To save you from the muddle that sometimes hits the best; We'll never let you down, we're always at your side And ready with our moppling - there is nowhere to hide For viruses and worms and other nasty things You can tell we're here with you when we begin to sing: Ron and Deirdre were joining in now, with the owl singing in a very high voice which reminded Dot of one of their neighbours, Miss Hopway, and Ron growling out the words in his best bulldog way: Mopple here, Mopple there, Mopple everywhere Sorting out the Internet We're the best that you can get! (There was a big roll of drums here, with Ron banging our the rhythm on his control stick with his paws. The squidglet - who'd gone back to sleep again - made a drowsy "Prrrp!" noise.) Once you've met us you won't forget All the things that we can do To make your log-on start anew... The last word was a very long note, "a-newwwwwwwwwwww" - which went on and on and on till everyone had run out of breath - over the loudspeaker, Dot could hear all the other Mopples were joining in too, it was very LOUD! And when they had all run out of breath, there was a big breathe in - with everyone doing it sounded like a hurricane going round all the Mopples - followed by a huge noise as they all barked, meowed, neighed, howled, twittered or did whatever sound they wanted, depending on what kind of animal they were. That seemed to go on for ages - with Ron and Deirdre joining in (and Wiz, who was thoroughly enjoying himself), making the noise inside the van even louder than before! Dot thought about putting her fingers in her ears but thought she'd better not - it might seem a bit rude! Then, when all the barking, meowing, neighing and twittering had finally finished - the last sound was a "Cuck-oo!" - there was a pause: everyone was completely out of breath! Then: Thump - thump - thump - thump came the drums again for the final chorus, with everyone joining in (Dot heard a girl's and a dog's voice too singing too and realized with a start it was her and Wiz!) Mopple here, Mopple there, Mopple everywhere Sorting out the Internet... (this bit was very quiet) Sorting out the Internet... (this bit was louder) Sorting out the Internet... (this bit was EVEN LOUDER) WE'RE THE BEST DON'T YOU FORGET! (which ended with a bang!) There was a big final thump on the drums and then the whole gathering, all still bobbing up and down gently in its huge half circle, was clapping and cheering and going "Way to go!" and "Woo woo woo!" and "Ya-hay!" (Dot was sure that was Mister Mouse!) Then suddenly Dot noticed that a new Mopple van had joined them - facing in towards the Mopples, right in the centre of the half circle. Only, this wasn't just any old van. It was more like a boat, with wings out on both sides covered in what looked like silver feathers. All round the edge of it were flags in hundreds of different colours - sparkling as they fluttered in the gentle wind of the Search Zone. At the back was a huge chair - it reminded Dot of a royal throne she'd seen once - covered in an amazing pattern of silver and gold, which was moving, changing shape all the time (it looked a bit creepy till you got used to it really, especially seeing it close-up on Ron and Deirdre's little screens.) And in front of the throne stood a strange figure. Tall, with a big white curly moustache on a shiny red face and a bald head gleaming in the light of the Search Zone. He wore a long silky coat with a stiff high collar, tied at the waist with a wide blue cord. The same pattern that was moving on the throne behind him, all silver and gold, moved on the coat - but a different way round, so you could see him clearly even though he was standing in front of the throne. On the end of his nose was a pair of big round glasses, which twinkled as he looked from side, smiling at all the Mopples and lifting his left hand to wave at them. His right hand held sparkling white laptop computer against his side. A huge cheer went up from all the Mopples. It was Old Hieronymus! JOIN US EVERY MONDAY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER! *********************************
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