A/N: This is a request fic for retro mania. So credit for the idea goes to him.
Enjoy.
It was a cloudy Saturday morning in New York City. People of all ages bustled about the city, going about their daily lives with not a care in the world.
The same, however, did not apply to Mr. Peabody.
Despite being quite the intellectual, the brilliant beagle had his limitations. He was on his way to the local university to present the blueprints for his latest invention.
Now, having done this before, Mr. Peabody barely twitched an eyebrow. Many of his inventions were patented and out in the market, earning the dog quite a profit.
But, despite this fact, Mr. Peabody knew that events like this took top priority.
Which meant that certain other events might occasionally - and I do mean occasionally - slip from his advanced mind.
"Mr. Peabody!"
The canine jumped at the sudden intrusion of his son's voice, causing him to almost spill his morning tea all over his blueprints.
He sighed, adjusting his glasses before turning to his son. "Sherman, use your inside voice, please. " Sherman shrugged sheepishly. "Now, what is it?"
Sherman opened his mouth, about to speak, when he spotted the blueprints spread over the dining room table.
"What's that, Mr. Peabody?"
Mr. Peabody chuckled, sliding his cup of tea to the side.
"Ever the inquisitive one, aren't you, Sherman?" He patted the cushion of the chair next to him, inviting his son to sit down.
Sherman eagerly jumped onto the seat, instantly looking over the plans.
"Are these blueprints for another invention of yours?"
His canine father nodded, spreading the sheets out for both to see.
"Indeed, Sherman. My latest invention: The Clono Booth."
Sherman blinked, "The Whato Booth?"
"The Clono Booth. It is a device used to replicate an individual without going through the harrowing and heinous alternative process. Generally speaking, it is a cloning machine."
Sherman's hazel-colored eyes brightened as a wide grin spread across his face, "A cloning machine? Awesome! Now, we can have two mes running around without disturbing the space-time continuum!"
Mr. Peabody chuckled, "You are correct on that one, my boy. I will be presenting this to the professors at the University in about an hour."
"Have you made it?"
"Yes, actually, " he began as he rolled up the blueprints, "There is a model down in my laboratory. But, it hasn't quite been perfected yet."
He jumped off from his seat and began walking towards his room.
Sherman watched his father leave but suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, wait. Mr. Peabody!" He called out, leaning over the back of the seat.
The white canine turned around at the mention of his name, "Yes, what is it, Sherman?"
The boy ran towards his father, stopping in front of him, "I was wondering if I could show Penny your diamond scepter that King Arthur gave you. We're studying the Medieval Times in school."
Mr. Peabody raised an eyebrow, "When do you want to show her?"
"Today...when she comes over?"
Mr. Peabody blinked twice, "She is? When was this agreement finalized?"
Sherman raised an eyebrow, "Thursday? When I asked if she could come over, you said yes. Didn't you remember?"
Mr. Peabody stared blankly. For the first time ever, Mr. Peabody actually forgot something.
He noticed Sherman staring at him curiously. He coughed, "Well, I may have neglected that certain part of the day."
Sherman's face immediately became downcast, his mouth hanging open. "You forgot?"
Mr. Peabody rubbed his neck with his paw, "I'm sorry, Sherman. I was caught up in preparing for today."
Sherman sighed wearily, "Does that mean I have to cancel?"
The canine genius looked off to the side, contemplating his answer. He took another look at his son and sighed.
He placed a paw on his shoulder, "Of course not. I agreed to it, did I not?"
Sherman smiled brightly, "Oh, thank you, Mr. Peabody! I - "
"However," Mr. Peabody raised a paw, interrupting Sherman. "if she comes over today, I cannot supervise you. I trust that you are old enough to look after things while I am away. Should you have any trouble, go to one of the workers downstairs, or if necessary, call me."
Sherman nodded, "I will, Mr. Peabody."
Mr. Peabody smiled, "I have no doubt that you will." His smile quickly vanished and was replaced with a stern frown.
"But, I must lay down some ground rules. Do not leave the penthouse. Do not attempt to use the stove or oven. Try, and I do mean try, to not break anything. There are many things in the house that can break with a single touch. And, lastly, do not use the WABAC. I mean it this time. I do not have time - ironic, considering we have a time machine - to go gallivanting through time to come and rescue you. Do you understand?"
Sherman saluted, "Yes, sir, Mr. Peabody."
Mr. Peabody chuckled, "At ease, Sherman."
The elevator rang, alerting the two that someone was coming.
They both approached the elevator as the doors slid open revealing Penny and her father.
Sherman's face lit up as he waved, "Hi, Penny!"
"Hi, Sherman!" The blond-haired girl ran over to him, giving him a hug.
"How are you doing, Paul?" Mr. Peabody walked over to her father, reaching out a paw to shake.
Paul bent down, shaking the beagle's hand, "Eh, been busy at work. But, it earns us money, so I can't really complain. Thanks for having Penny over. It'll give Patty and me some time to ourselves."
Mr. Peabody nodded, "Not a problem, Paul. Always a pleasure to have her over."
Mr. Peterson stood up, "Well, I better be going. Bye, honey. Pick you up in a few hours."
She waved to him, "Bye, Daddy."
With that, Paul walked back into the elevator, and it took him back down.
Mr. Peabody looked at the clock on the wall and gasped.
"Oh my! Is it that time already?" He quickly ran a side table, grabbing his keys and blueprints.
"Sherman, give her a rundown of the agenda for today. I would myself, but if I don't leave soon, I may arrive on time." He hustled to the elevator.
Penny and Sherman looked at each other.
Sherman raised a finger, "Don't you mean late?"
Mr. Peabody raised an eyebrow, "No, I mean on time. It's important for the speaker to be early. Arriving on time is considered arriving late."
The two children looked at each other again, shrugging.
"Good bye, you two. I should be back before three." With that, he entered the elevator and left the children alone.