I am so worn out! It's really difficult to tend the green plants during the day and take Fang's place guarding them at night. I'll be glad when Fang can quit helping to guard Ducky's nest and come back to guarding the greenery. I saw Squeaky, on her way to the opera rehearsal, push Mrs Grundy in the swimming pool. I must say Mrs. Grundy was acting very suspicious. She was lurking near the green plants and I was thinking of pushing Mrs. Grundy in the swimming pool myself. Do you think she was inhaling the fumes the plants seem to give off? I have to wear a gas mask when I'm around them.

By-the-way. Supreme one, did you decide to move the opera elsewhere on the ship? I really won't like the cast, crew, or passsengers picking the leaves off of the plants. If the Wizard is correct and the plants are tomato plants, it wouldn't do to have a supply of tomatoes so close. The green ones could be painful if they connect with a head. Also I'd hate to see tomato juice on those gold bathing suits.

I am very sorry you have had to exercise such vigilance over the plants. Perhaps if the Opera were moved to the upper deck of the Motley you could relax a bit more?

If you think that might help, let's speak to the Captain together to make sure your wishes are understood -- there seems to be a little problem with interpretation recently. (I do hope Elene will come aboard soon and sort things out.) In the meantime maybe we can use sign language. Are you proficient in karate?

PS. I've missed you and I am glad you're back, Gertie. BTW, did you receive Ducky's present? It was by way of an apology for nibbling your plants -- she was very hungry -- and it was quite a while back. In case you didn't see it, here it is again. I'm sorry if it's a little faded.

Thank Ducky for the Rose. It's simply beautiful and I will treasure it. It's OK for Ducky to nibble the plants as long as the fumes don't hurt her. She's very small and certainly can't eat much. She needs to keep up her strength since she's doing all the costume making, gathering the materials for them, and sitting on her nest. It won't be long until she's a mother with all her little ducks in a row. I'll have to grow some other types of plants before then. We can't have Ducky feeding her little ones the leaves of the fume producing plants. I sent for different types of seeds. Sure hope they get here soon.

The opera director has agreed to move the opera performance to the upper deck, so we won't have to bother the Captain. I understand the Captain has been spending time in the Gym trying to get strong enough to carry Mrs. Grundy onstage. I hope the deck is strong enough to hold Mrs. Grundy. I also hope she doesn't fall off of the deck while doing her opening number. I don't think all the blankets or blanket holders on the Motley would be able to catch her. She might go right through all the decks and be lost in space.

If you see Sherlock tell him that he can usually find matches around the green plants. There's always somebody setting some leaves on fire.

I am very relieved we don't have to speak to the Captain. Even karate may not have gotten through to him. So it's all settled then? The Director has agreed to stage the Opera on the Motley deck and the Captain is oblivious. This is wonderful news. Not about the Captain, about the moving of the Opera.

It is so kind of you to be concerned about Mrs. Grundy, Gertie. You are quite right, if she started to fall there would be no stopping her. Perhaps the Captain's idea of a ball and chain for her is not so foolish after all?

Byron was asking after you the other day. He wanted to know how you were, and if you were planning to do any pruning. He offered to help. It's really quite astonishing to me how very bizarre these tomato plants are and how very interested everyone seems to be in them.

Did you really almost push Mrs. Grundy in the pool yourself? That was very brave of you. Squeaky was very brave too, but maybe very foolish also because Mrs. Grundy is so big and not so very nice. (But everyone else is nice, don't you think?) I am glad you liked your rose. That makes me very happy.

Will you be able to sing in the Opera, Gertie, since it has been moved? I will make something beautiful for you to wear. Oh, and thank you. I will only take little nibbles of the plants. I think they are delicious, but I will not be greedy. Love, Ducky

The opera will take place on the upper deck, far away from your precious plants !
That you have to wear a gas mask, while tending the garden, is probably due to an error in communication. You asked Zooky for seed of "Stinging nettles" to raise more healthy veggies aboard here. Somehow seed for "Stinking nettles" was delivered.