art and story by : Toner:



She had come to me before, but never in such a state of corpulence.

"they're spikin' the water or somethin! I've gone up two dress sizes this week!"

Her words still swirled around in my brain as I watched her waddle down the dingy sidewalk, street lights glinting off her jewlery.
There were all manner of fiends in this dark city but I'd never heard of anyone fattening up anyone else. Still, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She had showed up just as abruptly as she left, flustered look on her face and cheeks rosy from the flights of stairs she had to climb. She barged her way into my office and settled right down on a chair, which creaked under her.

"Well come on in." I said, closing the door behind her.

"You gotta do somethin. Mmmf I'm so big an no matter what I do, I'm gettin bigger! It's not just me, all my neighbors are swellin up like water balloons" the white wolfess complained. Her red dress was so tight it could have been painted on, leaving every bulge and crease utterly exposed.

"You sure ya all aren't just prepping for winter?" I asked jokingly as I pulled out a cigarette. She snatched it from my paw and lit it for herself.

"No we're not you gorged gumshoe, someone's messing with us. It could be the whole block I mean, even Ethel is packin on the pounds n she's a giraffe!"

I started to take interest. Ethel was a client and avid health nut, nothing could make her gain weight.

"Ok. Anyone out for ya lately? Cut anyone off in traffic?" I asked.

She frowned and set her cigarette in the ash tray.

"No, but someone's after us. They're spikin' the water or somethin! I've gone up two dress sizes this week! But if you aren't interested in getting to the bottom of this I'm sure I can find someone that is" She said as she rose in a huff and turned. Her bottom was all I could think about.

"I'll take it Rose, I'll look into it."

She looked back over her shoulder and wiggled her sizable rump. "Good boy"

Even after she squeezed back through the door and closed it, all could see was her swaying down a hallway barely wider than her hips. I'd look into the case alright, maybe after she'd put on a few more pounds...