Disclaimer: Penguins of Madagascar and all related characters are the property of Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and any or all related affiliates. Characters of my own creation are my property and may not be used by others without express permission. This fiction was created for the purpose of having fun and being creative, no money is being made in any way from its creation and posting.
Hell Hath No Fury
Chapter 1
By
Wildgoose
(The theater room in the H.Q. is well lit as Erin and Pepper sit comfortably on the couch while watching the news on the flat screen. The speakers fill the room with a robust sound of the news anchor's voice as if he were right there in the room with them. In the background Hannibal comes through the door and begins to search around the room for something. )
Erin: Don't be a stranger Hannibal, …it's okay to say hi to us you know.
Hannibal: I wasn't trying to be rude, sorry. I misplaced one of my throwing stars and I think it might be in here.
Pepper: What could you have been doing in here with a throwing star?
Hannibal: (shrugs) I threw it at Loki's head when he wouldn't stay quiet during one of my shows. (Looks at Pepper and Erin as they stare at him) Relax, …I missed on purpose. I just wanted to make sure I got my point across.
Erin: And did you….?
Hannibal: He didn't speak to me for the rest of the day so I would say yes. (Erin rolls her eyes)
Erin: You'd better pray you didn't lose the thing in the cushions somewhere because if any of them are ripped there will be hell to pay. I don't care what skills you have.
Pepper: You know Hannibal, …I know Kitsune means the world to you but you don't have to carry her weapons with you ALL of the time.
Erin: I'm starting to wonder, Hannibal. If the zookeeper hadn't already caught her eye would YOU have made a play for her affections?
Pepper: (turns her head to an odd angle and stares at Erin) You seriously need help, Erin. Such a thought is so unhealthy let's not even go there, okay? (Pause as she turns to Hannibal) You're NOT attracted to her are you?
Hannibal: (shakes his head) I merely have great respect for who she is and what she teaches. (Pause) I'd go so far as to say she's like a god parent to me. (In the background the news topic has changed to a fire that took place in Universal Studios Florida. As the story unfolds on the screen Hannibal finds himself taking a seat next to Pepper in silence as he listens. )
News anchor: No one yet knows how the blaze was started but it quickly spread through the animal attractions exhibit decimating the animal's habitats and destroying most of the other buildings in the area. Authorities have not commented if any of the animals were lost or recovered and so far the only official word has come from Universal Studios stating that the entire section of the theme park containing that attraction has been closed off pending investigation and that full cooperation will be given to authorities to insure that those responsible are held accountable. (Pause) In other news…. (Hannibal sits quietly as the news anchor continues in the background with the news)
Pepper: (leans over and speaks quietly) Are you okay?
Hannibal: Do you guys mind if I switch this to the internet? I need to check my email. (Erin gestures the go ahead) Privately, …please. (Erin sighs and gets up in time with Pepper. As Erin leaves, Pepper holds back to speak to Hannibal.)
Pepper: (quietly) She's okay, Hannibal. If any animals had been lost it would be all over the news and the animals rights groups would be out for blood. (Pats him on the shoulder) Be patient…. (Hannibal nods but doesn't speak as pepper leaves and closes the door behind her.)
(Cut to the top of a local concession stand as the penguins look through makeshift binoculars at Loki as he walks back to the otter habitat a good thirty yards away.)
Skipper: Target in sight gentleman.
Kowalski: (looks through his own binoculars) Confirmed, …and at maximum range as well. This should be an interesting test of my latest invention.
Private: Does anybody besides me think we shouldn't be testing a weapon on one of our own? I'm sure we could find Julian around here somewhere. He always makes for such an interesting Guiana pig, …as it were.
Skipper: No dice, private. Thanks to the zookeepers new position we have access to top grade materials now and they need to be tested, …besides the boy has it coming and needs to be taken down a notch. (Rico chuckles sadistically as he shoulders what looks like a bazooka) Operation prank the prankster is a go!
Kowalski: (looks toward Loki again) Target is still in range, …deploy when ready Rico.
Rico: (tongue hangs over his bottom bill to the side as he trains the sight and grunts) Smile! (Rico fires and a sabot like projectile flies forward like a missile and closes on Loki. When the projectile is within a few yards it splits and deploys a mesh net with metal anchors that impale the wall behind Loki with the intent of confining him. However instead of the intended result the image of Loki fluctuates as the net passes through and he keeps walking as if nothing happened.)
Skipper: (looking on) What the deuce! (Looks back and forth between Loki and Kowalski) Kowalski, ..report!
Kowalski: Incredible Skipper, ..that doesn't appear to be Loki at all. It's some kind of animated image, …a hologram!
Skipper: (agitated) Impossible, …where did he learn to create something like that? (Pause) …And how come you didn't invent it first? That's not like you Kowalski, …you're slipping!
Kowalski: (sighs) I hold my head in shame, Skipper.
Private: I don't believe it, …we've been pranked! (Pause) Again! (Cut to behind the nearby wall of the otter habitat as Loki and Kowalski Jr. look on from their hiding place while laughing quietly. Jr. hits a button on a remote and the hologram disappears leaving the emitter sitting on the sidewalk.)
Loki: (bumps fists with Jr.) You are the best, …thanks for the heads up.
Jr. : (Laughs) My pleasure, …I needed an excuse to test my equipment anyway. (Sighs) Dad can be such a bore, …but at least you know how to make him interesting. (They bump fists again) Buds to the end, man.
Loki: (Smiles) Buds to the end. (Pause) I'll let you know when I've got something new to get them with.
Jr. : Sweet! (Quiet pause to change the subject)
Loki: So you're into Astrid, huh? (Jr. groans and begins to protest the accusation as the scene fades out.)
(Cut to inside the Otter habitat sometime later as Hannibal works out with Ming sitting nearby watching while drawing on a piece of paper.)
Hannibal: Listen Ming, …it's great that we're attached at the hip and all but don't you think you should start doing things on your own now? I mean you're over a year old, …try to live a little, …find yourself, …that sort of thing. (Pause) You don't have to follow me everywhere I go.
Ming: (looks up from her paper) I don't mean to, …it just seems right. I don't know why.
Hannibal: Do you mind if I ask you a bizarre question? (Doesn't wait for a response) Are you really your namesake reincarnated or something?
Ming: What's reincarnated?
Hannibal: When you die and are born again as someone or something else.
Ming: That IS bizarre, ..why do you ask?
Hannibal: Because some of the things you say or do are exactly as the other Ming.
Ming: (Amused) Look, …I've never even met that person. So if I'm really somebody else then it's news to me. Maybe it's because you named me after her. (Pause) All I know is that when I'm with you, …I feel safe. …And it's where I want to be. (Pause to look away) I'll try not to hang around you so much if it makes you feel better. (Gets up and begins to walk away and then pauses in thought.) This isn't your usual time to work out, Hannibal. Are you trying to keep yourself extra busy? Maybe keep your mind off of something?
Hannibal: I'm fine, …I just felt the need is all. (Ming shrugs and begins to walk away again but stops when Hannibal calls after her) What's it like to die, Ming? (Ming turns and smiles briefly and then continues out of the cave. Hannibal lets out a sigh as she disappears from view) I hope I didn't hurt her feelings too much. (Resumes his workout.)
(Cut to outside of the cave as Ming heads over to visit the penguins. Not looking where she was going she collides with Steve's boot as she hops over the fence to the otter habitat onto the sidewalk.)
Steve: (looks down at her) I think you need to look before you leap there, Ming.
Ming: (looks up at him while rubbing her nose and speaks) (Plain English) I suppose so, …sorry to run into you.
Steve: (stares down at her as he has never heard her speak before) How long have you been able to do that?
Ming: (plain English) Do what?
Steve: Speak English. I mean the other otters can do it too but you speak in sentences like it's your primary language. The others can only manage a word at a time and even then it takes effort.
Ming: (plain English) I don't know, …since mom taught me how to speak your language I guess. I never even practiced it much, ..I just wanted to talk to you and out it came.
Steve: That's just messed up,…very cool, but messed up. …Maybe it's something left over from when your parents where human. (Pauses to reflect) WOW! (Smirks) Any other abilities I should know about? ESP or the ability to shape shift perhaps? (Ming shakes her head) Fire from your eyes or lightning from your rear maybe? (Pause in thought for amusement and the scene flashes to a mental image)
(Ming is on all fours sniffing flowers outside of her habitat with Loki sneaking up behind to play a prank on her. Some pollen gets in her nose and she begins to sniffle just as Loki is closing in and then lets out a sneeze and unfortunately flatulence at the same time. What follows is a clap of thunder and as Ming turns in fright Loki is seen standing immobile behind her with fur completely charred and eyes occasionally blinking like characters in an old Bugs Bunny® cartoon.)
(Scene flashes back to reality as Steve chuckles to himself.)
Ming: (laughs in amusement) Not last time I checked, …but if anything pops up I'll be sure to let you know.
Steve: Please do. (Reaches into his cart and tosses her a fish)
Ming: Thanks, ….but you don't happen to have a hot dog in there do you? (Steve looks bewildered as he shakes his head) This will have to do then, …thanks. (She trots off toward the penguin habitat)
Steve: A hot dog..? (shakes his head) This zoo has no limit to weirdness.
(Cut to Joey's habitat as Kowalski Jr. sits on the ground near Astrid under a grouping of trees as they both enjoy a couple of fish while talking.)
Astrid: Isn't this an odd place to meet up? I mean Joey doesn't exactly like anybody in his habitat.
Jr. : It's cool, …we have an arrangement. (Pause) The others are starting to figure out that you and I spend a good amount of time together and frankly this is probably the only place where we could spend time alone uninterrupted.
Astrid: It's not because of a lack of options is it? I mean I am the only female penguin your age in this zoo.
Jr. : Trust me, …if I needed to be flexible I could. Ming has a pleasant demeanor, …I'm sure I could get to know her if I really wanted to.
Astrid: You mean if you could pry her away from Hannibal.
Jr. : That too. (Pause) It might take a few kilotons of TNT, ..but it could probably be done.
Astrid: What about Yoshi?
Jr.: Ooh, …don't get me started! If we got together can you imagine the mayhem that would result?
Astrid: Her tactics and planning combined with your brain and ingenuity? Wow, ..it would be a nerds match made in heaven.
Jr. : Okay, ..that wasn't quite what I was going for.
Astrid: AND she's got her mom's curves, …yet you still chose me?
Jr. : I don't know, …I think I've started to reconsider. (Pause with a smile) You have only yourself to blame.
Astrid: (rolls her eyes and whacks him in the head with her fish) Don't even think about it, …I'm the jealous type. (Pause) ..And I think my half-brother is the protective type.
Jr. : (laughs) Alright, …I was just kidding. (Pause as he looks into her blue eyes) You're the girl for me, …you don't need to be jealous of anything. (Astrid smiles and she leans forward to give a kiss when they are interrupted by a voice coming from just inside the habitat wall.)
Julian: THERE you are, you little smart penguin you. (Hops down from the wall into the habitat) You should not hide from the king you know, …I have been looking all over the zoo for you and am now quite tired. (Maurice's voice is hear from the other side of the wall)
Maurice: Um ,…your majesty? YOU didn't do any walking at all, ..you made Mort and I…..
Julian: Maurice? Shut up a little okay, ..your king is taking all of the credit here and you will be getting none. Okay? Okay. (Pause) SO, …this is where you have been hiding from me. Well the hiding is over my friend so move your feathers over to my place because I have need of your fixing skills.
Jr. : Fixing skills?
Julian: Yes, ..you see the mechanical device that keeps my bouncy house nice and bouncy has stopped working and it has well, …gotten less bouncy.
Maurice: (from the other side of the wall) It went flat your majesty. You've got Mort trying to blow it back up while you came to talk to this guy, remember?
(Flash to the Lemur habitat where Mort is blowing into the inflatable as fast as he can)
Mort: (Pausing as he pants) Mort feels dizzy. (Laughs a little and then falls over passing out.)
(Flash back to Joey's habitat)
Julian: Maurice! What have I been telling you?
Maurice: Yea, yea, …shut up and all that.
Julian: Exactly, …now where was I? Oh yes, ..I am needing your skills to fix things so that I can make my bouncy house all bouncy again. (Pause) Oh and if you could make it a little more bouncy that would be good to, …but do it because you want to not because I am the king. Okay?
Astrid: Julian, …you do know that you're in Joey's habitat. Right?
Julian: Don't be silly, …I know exactly where I am but I do not worry because he will respect my kingly authority and let me do whatever I want. (Pause) So chop, chop, …make with the moving already. My bouncy house will not get bouncy again on its own. (Pause) Of coarse that would be cool if it did because then I wouldn't have to waste my time talking to a silly penguin kid.
Jr. : Listen Julian, …we came here to be alone and if you don't bail on out of here then I'm going to have to call the bouncer.
Julian: (looks confused) Uh Maurice, …what is this bouncer the penguin speaks of?
Maurice: (from the other side of the wall) Your highness, …a bouncer is like a guard who throws people out who cause a problem or shouldn't be where they are.
Julian: I see, …and who might this bouncer fellow be? (Julian is grabbed about the waist from behind and picked up off the ground. In a moment later Julian finds himself inches from a kangaroo's snout.)
Joey: That'd be me, chum. (Looks down at Jr. and Astrid) Is this doby lemur causing a problem?
Jr. : In the worst way, ….have fun with him Joey.
Joey: I reckon this is where I get to enjoy my job.
Julian: (cringes) I do not be supposing I could throw myself upon your mercy that you would not squish me?
Joey: (huffs in Julian's face) Joey don't do mercy, mate.
Julian: (cringes more) Not the face, then? (Joey looks down at Kowalski Jr. who holds out his flipper like the roman emperor at the end of a gladiator match, makes a fist, and then makes a thumbs down gesture.)
Joey: I'm afraid this just isn't your lucky day, lemur. (Takes Julian by the tail and whaps him back and forth against the ground a few times and then twirls him about above his head like a bolo before tossing the lemur all the way back to his own habitat. Joey then looks down at the penguins.) You two all right?
Jr. : We're good now, thanks Joey.
Joey: No worries, …but listen before you two go later the reception on the tele is frizzy. Maybe you could do something with the dish?
Jr. : No problem.
Joey: Joey likes his down under channel, …thanks for hooking me up by the way.
Jr. : No problem. (Joey hops away to leave them be)
Astrid; That was your arrangement?
Jr. : Sure, …I hooked him up with every Australian channel there is by satellite and he lets us come here to be alone. (Pause) I thought it was a pretty good deal. (Astrid laughs and then kisses him)
(Cut to the penguin's theater room as Hannibal sits in front of a wireless keyboard while staring at the flat screen. He has his email pulled up and the only thing new in the in box is some junk mail from Viagra, a solicitation from an online college, and several spam messages about sexy singles websites. Hannibal stares at the screen and sighs as even the instant messenger is quiet. In the background Private enters the room.)
Private: Oh, ..are you still in here? I thought you might be done by now, ….one of my shows is coming on in a few minutes so I'd like to switch over if you don't mind.
Hannibal: (hits a few buttons on the remote and the TV changes to cable) It's all yours. (Gets up to leave)
Private: Are you all right? You seem pretty glum lately.
Hannibal: Eh, …I'm worried about a friend of mine. You remember our little detour to Florida a while back, right?
Private: How could I forget, …I remember we almost blew up half the park down there.
Hannibal: (chuckles) Good times, ..huh?
Private: Indeed, …so what about it?
Hannibal: My uh, …friend. The one that lives in Universal Studios had a pretty bad fire in her section of the park and I haven't heard from her in a bit.
Private: When did it happen?
Hannibal: I heard about it on the news earlier today. I haven't heard from her since yesterday, …it's a short time I know, but we chat with each other at certain times like clockwork so we never have to play message tag. She's never missed it, …until now. (Shrugs) I'm getting worried.
Private: Sounds like you two might be a bit more than friends.
Hannibal: (face lights up briefly as he thinks about her) Keep it on the down low please, …mom would probably have a heart attack if she knew I was into an older girl.
Private: Older you say? (Pauses to reflect) Oh, …OH, I remember who you're talking about. (Pause) Oh dear, …I suppose that would be a bit rough for her to get used to. (Sighs) …But then it is an online relationship, …not like the two of you have run off together or something.
Hannibal: Um no, …no we're not like that. (Smiles) We'd recently started doing video chats, I've enjoyed being able to see her face again.
Private: Hmm, ….I wish I could say something that would help but all I've got is "be patient." (Pause) She's alright, ..you'll see. (Skipper comes through the door without warning)
Skipper: So THIS is where you've been hiding. Get your butt topside, Hannibal! Kitsune has been waiting for you, ..you're late for your lesson.
Hannibal: (drops the keyboard) Oh crap, ..she's going to be ticked. (Heads for the door) Good talking to you, Private!
Skipper: So what was THAT about?
Private: Oh nothing, …he's just got some things on his mind is all.
Skipper: …And he came to YOU about it? That's insubordination, …I'm his dad. He should come to me if he needs to talk.
Private: Well he didn't really come to me as much as I came to use the TV and we just started talking.
Skipper: (confused) …But I'm his dad. What is he ashamed to talk to me or something?
Private: Don't feel offended Skipper, …it's only natural that kids become embarrassed to be seen around their parents as they grow up.
Skipper: My kid does NOT see me as an embarrassment!
Private: Of course not, Skipper. (Pause) Um, ….I'm sure he'll come to you when he's ready.
Skipper: (gets up to head out of the room) Embarrassment? Kowalski maybe, …..but ME? (Closes the door behind him)
Private: I suppose that could have gone better. (Sighs) Oh well, …now to watch the nature channel. (Flips the channel and his program appears on screen already in progress with a camera underwater following a number of Adelie penguins while feeding. Private laughs briefly.) The girls are hungry today aren't they…. (The scene fades to late that night, Hannibal again sits in the theater room but alone this time. The lights are out and the only illumination comes from the screen of the TV as Hannibal watches the news while it repeats previous coverage on the fire at Universal studios. He lets out a sigh at the fact that he had still not heard from Margot. The scene on the news changes as they switch to a reporter on location in Florida.)
Reporter: ….as you can see the fire completely devastated the habitats and we've recently gotten word from an anonymous source here at the park that while a number of the animals bodies have been recovered, none has yet to be found alive. Those here at the park are quickly becoming discouraged as to if ANY of the animals survived. (Pause) We've also gotten word from another anonymous source that the fire Marshall HAS ruled this fire to be an arson and that the investigation is moving forward with that new information. (Pause) Back to you…
(Hannibal still sitting on the couch leans back and allows the remote to slip from his paw as tears begin to run down his cheek. A moment later Yoshi enters the room.)
Yoshi: Hey Hannibal, …it's late. What are you still doing in here?
Hannibal: (wipes the tears from his cheek) Watching the news.
Yoshi: It must have been some story if it's got you crying, …I don't think I've ever seen you shed a single tear before.
Hannibal: How can you tell THAT? It's pretty dark in here.
Yoshi: The light from the TV is reflecting off of the wet fur on your cheeks. (Hannibal grumbles and wipes his cheeks with his paws) So what's going on?
Hannibal: There was a fire in the animal attractions exhibit at Universal Studios, …a close friend of mine is there and I haven't heard from her in a while. I'm getting really worried, ….they haven't found any animals alive yet.
Yoshi: (curiosity peaked) HER?
Hannibal: (sighs) Not now, Yoshi.
Yoshi: All right, …but when she turns up okay I want details. (Smiles) So is there anything I can do to help besides stand here and tell you that everything will be okay?
Hannibal: Just don't tell me to be patient, …people have been telling me that all day. (Pause) I don't think I can be patient anymore, …I need to know. I can't just sit here in front of the TV hoping for good news from news anchors who make a living out of giving you the dirt. (Pause) No word, …no email, bad news on the TV, ….I can't take it anymore.
Yoshi: Ooh, ..this definitely sounds like you guys are closer than just friends. (Rubs her paws together in earnest) What can I do to help?
Hannibal: (sighs) Nothing, …It's my problem so I'll do this myself. (Loki comes into the room looking for the both of them while eating something)
Loki: (mouth half full) There you guys are, …I was beginning to think that you were up to something without me. (Pause) So what's going on? (Yoshi gives him the rundown real quick) Hannibal's got a girl? AWSOME! (Hannibal scowls) Oh right, …girl missing. Bad! (Pause) So what are we looking at, ….a mission proposal for the penguins?
Hannibal: (looks down and sighs heavily) A mission for just me, …it's no one else's problem. (Pause) I don't think dad would authorize a mission anyway, he'd probably just tell me to sit tight like everybody else has been.
Yoshi: Oh right, ..like I'm going to let you go off rogue without any kind of action plan. You'll end up stranded in a kennel somewhere.
Hannibal: You're going to try to stop me?
Yoshi: (busts out laughing) I'm coming with you, dingleberry. (Pause) Like I'm going to stay here and lie to everybody about not knowing where you went? (Pause) Loki is coming too.
Loki: I am?
Yoshi: You're bad at keeping secrets, …so yes.
Loki: Well at least I get a road trip out of being roped into this. (Pause) Can we get fireworks on the way back up from the south? (Yoshi swats the back of his head) Road trip huh? Then if we manage to swipe a car I suggest we tie Loki to the roof rack, …it will make for a much quieter ride.
Hannibal: No good, …it will draw attention. We'll tie him to the front bumper, ..it will look more natural that way like he ran out in front of us or something. Humans tend to look the other way when it comes to road kill.
Loki: HEY!
Hannibal: So you guys are really in on this with me?
Yoshi: Of course, …you're our brother. (Pause) Now what we need is a plan and supplies, …and you've come to the right person for a plan. (Fade to the situation room just down the hall, Yoshi and Hannibal are sitting at a digital map table looking at a digitized map and plotting their route to Florida.) Unfortunately taking a plane at this point would be problematic. Since they nailed that terrorist guy, homeland security has tightened its sphincter with regard to airline security for fear of other nut jobs looking for revenge or something. We'd have a hard time without being seen or found. So it looks like Loki called it, ..we're going by road.
Hannibal: So how do we do this?
Yoshi: We could hop buses all the way down but that would actually cost us on time, since we're in a bit of a hurry and all.
Hannibal: What are you suggesting?
Yoshi: How do you guys feel about driving?
Loki: I feel like I don't know how, …why?
Yoshi: The zookeeper lets me sit in his lap and drive the security vehicle sometimes while he works the pedals, …so if you guys can handle the peddles I should be able to do the rest if I can get a booster seat or something else to prop myself up on so I can see out the windshield.
Hannibal: Three otters driving a stolen car down the road, …I think the humans would notice that.
Yoshi: So we switch off periodically, …drive so far then change vehicles. Preferably someplace where the humans won't notice that their car is gone for some time.
Loki: Won't that cost as much time as taking the bus?
Yoshi: Once we're on the interstate we should be able to make really good time between change outs. Besides, if we've learned nothing else it's that humans would rather look the other way than report something ludicrous and make themselves look bad.
Hannibal: As ludicrous as three otters driving down the interstate? (smiles weakly) It sounds do able.
Loki: It sounds fun, …when do we go?
Yoshi: We need supplies first. (The scene snaps to the penguins quarters as Hannibal performs what looks like compressions on Rico's belly. With each compression as piece of equipment pops out of Rico's mouth.)
Yoshi: (hushed) Quietly, …you'll wake them up.
Hannibal: I can't believe Rico is sleeping through this. (With the next compression a picture of a blue penguin that looks like it's running for its life pops out.) What the..?
Loki: I didn't know Rico had a girl. I guess that explains why he got rid of that doll.
Yoshi: How come we've never seen her before?
Hannibal: (studies the picture for a moment) We have, …I know who this is. You can tell by the expression on the face.
Yoshi: So give already.
Hannibal: Remember the zookeeper's wedding? Sensei turned Darla's spell on Alice to keep her from blowing the whistle and ruining things for everybody.
Loki: I remember, …Alice turned into a blue penguin for the night and Rico kept chasing…. ( silent pause before he begins to laugh prompting the other two to cover his mouth with their paws)
Yoshi: So, …Rico's into ALICE?
Hannibal: This version of her judging by the evidence.
Yoshi: (gingerly stuffs the picture down Rico's throat and shivers slightly at the thought) Let us never speak of this again. ( A hushed voice comes from behind)
Voice: Did you find everything you were looking for? (The otters turn in surprise to see Kowalski Jr. standing nearby with a plate of fish in flipper. The otters quickly escort Jr. out of the room and explain things to him and the scene cuts to Kowalski's workshop.)
Jr. : So you guys have your own mission now, …cool. You'll need support if you get into a jam you know. (Reaches into a tool box and pulls out a hand held shortwave radio. Then tosses it to Hannibal.) You guys call me if you have a problem.
Loki: You don't want to come with?
Jr. : I'm not the adventurous type, …I'm the behind the scenes type. (Pause) You guys will need some more stuff before you go. Rico doesn't keep everything in his belly. It just isn't big enough. (starts going through cabinets, then begins tossing things to the otters) Kitsune's grapple gun, amnesia dust, truth serum, …and something my dad has only described as liquid force. Don't ask! (Pause) OH, …I almost forgot. I came across this recently when I was helping to clean the H.Q. (pulls out a sword from somewhere) It's Kitsune's short sword, …I forget what you call it. (Hands it to Hannibal)
Hannibal: It's a wakizashi. (Removes the sword off of his back and attaches the new one next to it on the strap, then puts it all back on himself)
Jr. : Gesundheight. (Looks at Hannibal and then point to Loki) This is my best bud, here. You bring his butt back here in one piece, get me?
Yoshi: Isn't the butt usually separated in halves?
Hannibal: So we have some welding to do, …no big deal and it will be an improvement.
Loki: HEY! (The otters stow their gear and get ready to move)
Jr. : Hannibal! (Hannibal turns to look at him) You're girls alright, …don't think about anything otherwise. (Pause) When you find her, ..bring her back here for safekeeping. I'll find a way to set her up with accommodations, and if the adults don' t like it they can bite my tail feathers. (Hannibal nods and the otters move to head out)
(Cut to outside of the zoo wall)
Loki: We're not going to at least leave a note or something? Mom and dad will worry.
Yoshi: Don't worry, …I took care of it. (They look about at empty cars lining the side of the street.) Any preferences?
Loki: (points to a car with dust on it.) How about that one, it doesn't look like it will be missed.
Hannibal: It's on cinderblocks, Loki. We need one with tires,…the car moves a lot faster with them.
Loki: (looks at the blocks) Yea, ..I supposed I should have noticed that.
Yoshi: There's one of those mini coopers, …that should be small enough for us to work with. (They exchange glances and then cross the street towards the car as the scene fades out.)
Chapter 2 coming soon.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome.