by S. G. Harsha

Created on: August 30, 2011   Last Updated: September 02, 2011

“What is that thing?” Jared said as he came bounding down the stairs into the entryway. He circled around the giant box the delivery man wheeled into the living room, got in the way and almost tripped.

“A grandfather clock.” His mother Sarah explained, “From Germany.”

“It’s huge!” He said examining the box.

The delivery man set the box down and unlatched the belts to his cart.  He moved quickly.  When his cart was free of the box, he pushed the signature papers at Sarah and showed her where to sign. She signed and the man mumbled under his breath before rushing out the door, cart in tow, and running back to his truck.

‘Must be a busy day,’ Sarah thought. She shut the door and turned her attention to the box and her son.

“There’s something moving inside!” Jared said.

“It shouldn’t be moving. They should have pinned the pendulum arm down.” Sarah was curious.

Jared had his ear to the box and was listening intently.  Sarah put her ear to the box as well. She frowned at Jared but he put his finger to his lips and smiled.  She listened again.

RING!

The ringing phone startled Sarah and Jared laughed at her.  She slapped his forehead playfully then walked to the kitchen.

"There's unpacking instructions! I'm going to open the box!" Jared said after her.

"You should wait for your father." Sarah said before answering the phone. 

“Hello?”

“This is Glen Jackobs of the English support team for Time Pieces in Germany, is this Mrs. Stevens?”

“Yes! Thanks for calling. We just received the delivery.” She said.

“Oh, my! Mrs. Stevens, do not open that box! A pet store next to us was caught illegally trafficking in rare and dangerous snakes. They have lost a king cobra! We took pictures of the clock before we sent it, and inside the glass we noticed what looks like the head of a snake!  We didn’t realize it until we were cataloging the images and one of our employees pointed it out!”

Jared screamed from the living room. Sarah grabbed a frying pan from the stove-top and ran to her son.

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