Eleven:
Brian's parents took him to the police.
"It's not illegal to be a clown you know," said Officer Frank.
"He threatened our boy," said Brian's father.
"What did he say?" said Officer Hank.
"He said to give them Spot or else," said Brian.
"Or else what?" said Officer Frank.
"He refused to say," said Brian.
"Well that's very bad, young man," said Officer Hank. "Baffling is another thing there's no law against. All bullies baffle someone, but not everyone baffled has been bullied."
"If you prefer, you can hand the dog back to us," said Officer Frank. "Then we can make an APB to track down the clowns and tell them to pick up the dogs from us."
"We can't do that," said Brian.
"Oh?" said Officer Hank. "Why's that?"
"I don't know where Spot is," said Brian. "He ran away."
"Ohhh..." said the officers.
"Gee, Hank, maybe we shouldn't have let the boy take the dog after all," said Officer Frank.
"Yeah, Frank," said Officer Hank. "If a stray dog exposes a family to rabies, they can get shots. But clowns? There are no shots for clowns."
"You good people should call us if these clowns should approach you again," said Officer Frank.
"Isn't there something else you can do?" said Brian's mother.
"Can I get a gun?" said Brian.
"No," said Brian's mother. "No child of mine will hold a gun."
"I was threatened by clowns," said Brian. "They baffled me."
"I will not tolerate a gun in my house," she said.
"...think about it, Mom," said Brian.
"Young man," said Officer Frank. "Gunmen look for other gunmen. You should let your parents decide if they want to be seen armed, to draw whatever gun-fire takes place." Brian's parents hurried him out of the station.
"Frank, it's probably a good idea to let the parents teach their kid to take no for an answer if they want," said Officer Hank.
"Oh," said Officer Frank.