Jack just gave the girls the distinct, "I don't, but I'm too polite to say it" look.

"You're welcome, Carver."

Shock quickly got Jack's attention again.

"Say, Jack..." she said. "Do you think this one looks better--"

She tapped the brim of her hat, then quickly reached over to snatch the Mayor's hat, before she mockingly traded it with her own.

"--Or [i]this[/i] one?"

The Mayor let out a pitiful cry, then tried to swipe his hat back. He could only jump a few inches off the ground.

"Hey! Give it back!"

Shock grinned, clearly enjoying her superior height to the Mayor.

"What do you think, Jack?" she asked. "[I]I[/i] know how to plan. Think I got a chance?"

Jack snatched the Mayor's hat from her and handed it back. If he had them, he would have rolled his eyes. Rarely did any of the three cross paths with the Mayor without antagonizing him in some way.

"You're good at planning [i]trouble[/i], Shock," he said, with a twinkle in the back of his eye socket, "and the Mayor's job is [i]work[/i], not fun. Sorry. I don't think you're quite cut out for it."

Shock pulled her own hat back on, now that her fun with the Mayor ended. She shrugged.

"Couldn't hurt to ask," she said, then turned to her friend, trusting that she planted the container. "Come on, Carver. Let's go get some more pumpkins."

She'd have to wait until later to knock the pumpkin over, and she could pretend to join Carver in the meantime.