Word of Mouse

In the morning, Isaiah joins Hailey in her room to strategize their next move. She spent the night researching and found an article about the local Lamina Lab being investigated by Humans for Animals (HFA). This organization conducted an undercover investigation, but during a police raid, no animals were found inside. Isaiah recalls when the lab workers took the mice out to evade the inspections. Hailey explains that, unlike dogs, cats, and rabbits, mice and rats aren’t protected under the federal Animal Welfare Act. Isaiah is frustrated by this unfairness and quotes Shakespeare to emphasize that mice feel pain and suffering like other animals.

At 7:05 a.m., they see Mr. Brophy leaving with a paper sack containing his lunch and heading to his pickup truck. Hailey’s mother interrupts them, and Isaiah hides. Once she leaves again, Isaiah tells Hailey he intends to launch a “Napoleonic invasion” on the lab with an army of mice.

Isaiah and Gabriel look at Mr. Brophy’s truck and realize that its covered bed has plenty of space to conceal all the mice for a surprise attack on the lab. Upon returning to the burrow, Isaiah gathers the mice to explain his plan, referencing their recent victory over