July 11th 2016

Pet Store

11:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time

(Skipper's POV)

"tell me what I'm looking at Kowalski," I said. "fifty captive reptiles," Kowalski said, "trapped in glass boxes…" "Then we're in the right place," I said, "Operation Lizard Liberation is a go!" "um…why?" Private said. "That's an order soldier," I replied. We rushed up to the Lizard section of the pet store. A bearded dragon became active and looked at us, "what…what going on?" "We here to rescue you my scaly friend," I said, "you and all your fellow reptiles…" "Now these nine display terrarium can't be the only ones in this place."

"They keep the rest in the back," The reptile replied. "Hey what about us!" all the fish in the aquarium section shouted. "and what about us?" all the parrots in the parrot display shouted. "first of all…fish over their…why do you want us to rescue you…we do eat fish." "Skipper none of the species of fish over there are edible to penguins…or people for that matter. They have zero food vaule." "Okay," I said, "but how do you transport a bunch of fish again." "We need to steal a specially designed Aquarium Truck from the NYC aquarium, load all the fish into the truck…after we acclimate them of course, and then drive down to Key Largo in florida, and then dump them all into the ocean. And then drive the truck back to the aquarium." "To much work," I said, "beside there is a downside to that." "Besides creating move invasive species," Kowalski said, "since most of this fish are raised in captivity…they have a 95% chance of dying as soon as they touch ocean water." "And other other 5%?" I said. "They get found by divers and end up back in the aquarium trade… Plus the glofish over there are not found in nature." "aw…" the glowing fish said.

"now our feather friends on the other side," I said, "Private, break the parrots out while we start the lizard liberations." Private broke open the parrot display and all the parrots and parakeets flew thru the store and out thru the automatic doors. Private went over to the other birdcages and sprung all the birds out. Those birds however just sat their and looked at him blanky. "Ah the lesser bird species," Kowalski said reclosing all the cages, "aren't they just stupid…" "Private! Kowalski!" I shouted, "free the lizards in the back!" "Their's another shipment of lizards in five minutes…" "Take care of that too Kowalski!" I shouted. "I suggest we go after reptile vendors," Kowalski said, "also there's the exotic reptile show in a month." "what idiots have venomous snakes as pets," I said, "that's just asking for trouble!" "what about boas…" "That asking for even more trouble!" I said, "Now stop dilly-dallying and go to the back!" Private and Kowalski ran off as we started to flip the tops on the reptile displays. Meanwhile in the Siamese fighting Fish (AKA Beta Fish) section the fish were glaring at each other. "What are you looking at?" "You looking at me?" "forgetta bout it." "what you looking at?" "IF we weren't in separate cups I would take you all down!" "In your dreams small fry!" "Forgetta 'bout it," another fish said, "you won't last one minute with me!" "you looking at me?" "YOU looking at me?!" "YOU LOOKING AT ME!"

meanwhile that last of the lizards in our section scampered and slithered off. Other stampede of lizards rushed out of the back. Kowalski and Private arrived as the last lizard left the store. "And the people in that truck," I said. "Currently tied up," Kowalski said, "I put them where the staff would find them." "excellent now let's leave before the customers come in." As we left Private was watching the beta fish. "This one is so pretty," Private said. "what are you looking at?" the fish replied. "Waaah!" Private said backing up. "Don't let the bright colors fool you private," I said, "Siamese Fighting fish are vicious! I would rather face down a pack of ravenous pirana...or a pack of fossa…or that Mr. Chew guy!" Private shuddered as he remembered that horrible dog.

"Don't worry Private it's not like he going to come thru that door…" The doors opened and a flood of Dog and their owners entered the store. We were now in hiding as we waiting for an opening. "Just stay perfectly still," I said. A shadow then seemed to descend upon the entire pet store as Nana entered with Mr. Chew himself. "Please don't eat me…don't eat me…Noooo!" Private said. "It's okay private that dog doesn't even know we're here." All the dogs in the room hide behind their owners and backed off from the small dog. "maybe she's here to get him dog food," Kowalski said. "alright Mr. Chew let's get you a new chewtoy for your birthday!" "or not," I said. "Oh dear," Private said, "You made me spill my lemonade…" "sorry," Rico said.
(end of chapter One)