Nine:
The next morning, Brian cracked like a glacier his door open. Big seemed the paper. Big seemed the house. Big seemed everything. Tiny sat a car in the driveway, from which all the bigness did contrast.
"Where's the dog?" The clown caught Brian spying inside the car.
"Excuse me?" said Brian.
"The dog," said the clown. "The ad gave the number to the local police and the police gave me your address."
"Who are you?" said Brian.
"I'm King Clownie," he said. "See the get-up? See the crown?"
"He's not here," said Brian. "He ran away yesterday."
"That dog better be here when we return," said Clownie. "Or else."
"Or else what?" said Brian. A competent bully, Clownie left Brian baffled. Brian glimpsed many eyes as the clown climbed into the tiny car and drove away.