but it guarded the RCMP headquarters in the tiny village of Waterton You’d better get off of there before Constable Peticlaire sees you And by the way Mondays do smell of popcorn Shilo sniffed the air Mmm you’re right Sabina always makes extra popcorn on Mondays Every Monday a new movie started at the theater in the old Waterton Opera House Since March when both girls had turned nine they had been allowed to walk to the theater together on Monday evenings A horn beeped Shilo yelped and jumped off the fence The girls turned to see a big white park warden truck pull into the driveway at RCMP headquarters What’s your dad doing at the police station Shilo asked Cricket shrugged I dunno The campgrounds are getting full Maybe a bear broke into somebody’s cooler 2
Cricket’s dad was a warden in Waterton Lakes National Park He spent a lot of time sorting out disagreements between wildlife and tourists The girls waved to Warden McKay then crossed the street to the theater They lined up at the ticket window outside and then Cricket bought some licorice from Sabina at the snack counter Cricket and Shilo climbed the stairs to the first row of the balcony Because the theater was in the opera house it had scrunchy seats and no cup holders but the balcony was cool The lights dimmed and Cricket opened her licorice In the middle of the third preview the screen suddenly went black The theater was completely dark What’s going on Shilo’s voice was tense Orange emergency lights snapped on The exit near the stage glowed The girls looked at each other their eyes wide Nothing like this had ever happened before 3
Um sorry folks Sabina’s voice echoed through the theater We’ve completely lost power There’s no fire no emergency but please exit the building Cricket tucked the licorice into her pocket and the girls felt their way down the stairs Sabina directed everyone out onto the sidewalk The lights are off everywhere Cricket said She pointed down the street where people huddled outside dark restaurants and stores Great Shilo said She squished closer to Cricket She was a daredevil and a tomboy but Shilo really didn’t like the dark Hey here’s my dad Cricket said The big park warden truck stopped in front of the opera house Its orange warning lights flashed lighting up the street and people’s faces Warden McKay lowered the truck window Do you girls want a ride You bet Shilo said The girls climbed in and did up their seat belts 4
