The wind blew across the city that never sleeps.
For Kowalski, Rico and Skipper tonight was no exception.
Having determined that young Private was asleep, the three penguins proceeded to watch a scary movie with a volume low enough to not wake up Private.
"Nothing beats a scary movie for a good dose of adrenalin." remarked Kowalski.
"You got that right." Skipper concurred.
"Yeah!" Rico agreed enthusiastically
Unbeknownst to the penguins Private had momentarily woken up and had glanced at the television screen.
Private whimpered and huddled in his bunk in fear.
After the movie had finished everybody went to bed, except Kowalski who had wanted to stay up late to finish off an experiment.
The minutes passed, Kowalski continued to tinker with his experiment and Private still hadn't gone back to sleep.
Having reached his tolerance for this torment, Private plucked up some courage and went over to speak with Kowalski.
Private walked up to Kowalski from behind and tentatively nudged him with his flipper.
Kowalski who was so caught up in his experiment had failed to notice Private and gasped in surprise.
"Private…you scared me."
"Sorry Kowalski, I just wanted someone to talk to." Private apologized and gripped his flippers together and looked down sheepishly.
"Why? What's the matter?" Kowalski asked in a kind voice and took off his goggles.
"…I…I can't sleep, I saw a bit of the movie and now I'm scared." Private stuttered with wide eyes.
"You know Private fear is the sympathetic nervous system's biochemical response to a stimulus. It feels scary but it can't actually hurt you, wellunlessitisatraumaticexpe riencethatcausespsychologica lscarsbutthatsnotthepoint" Kowalski explained to Private and then going on a tangent and mumbling.
"Uhhh…sympa what?" Private asked in a confused voice.
No Kowalski don't THINK, ACT. Lets see… What would Skipper do?
Tell him to snap out of it, no that's not right, Rico? Uggh I don't even want to think about it. There's got to be more people… WAIT! Marlene… she would just…HUG Private. Eureka!
Kowalski thought.
"It'll be OK Private." Kowalski said and hugged Private.
Private hugged him even harder, Kowalski felt Private's warm body heat and heart beat; it was fast.
Eventually Private parasympathetic system kicked in and his pulse decreased and his pupils ceased to dilate.
"Thank you Kowalski." Private said with a relieved voice, as his beak spread into a smile.
"You're welcome Private." Kowalski said in a kind voice.
The two penguins then went to their bunks and enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep.