Disclaimer: Penguins of Madagascar and all related characters are the property of Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, and or any of it's associated affiliates. This fiction is for the sole purpose of having fun and being creative. No money is being made through the creation and posting of this story.
Paternity Pursuit
By
Wildgoose
( The scene opens just above the zoo exit. Announcements can be heard in the background from the P.A system that the zoo is now closing and that patrons should soon head for the exits and hopefully return another day to see more of what the zoo has to offer. The animal statues begin to revolve about the clock as it strikes 5PM, moments later people begin to file out though the exit with their children or other family members while some of them lose their balloons and sob their protests to their parents. As much as an hour later after all of the zoo patrons have left and the zookeepers have tended to all of the animals before going inside to tend to other duties, a voice echoes through the zoo that all is clear. Little changes with the exception of a single otter who has quite easily climbed out of her habitat and made her way over to the concession stand to express disappointment that popcorn had been forbidden to her for an entire week because she had been caught outside of her habitat by Alice.)
Marlene: (grumbling as she moves about the counter trying to figure out a way to get to the popcorn popper and see if there are leftovers from the day) There's got to be a way to get in there, I can't take this anymore. A whole week without popcorn, …we have rights too you know. ( The shadow of someone approaching from behind slowly overtakes her as she continues to fumble with the popcorn machine)
Private: Aren't you afraid of being caught outside your habitat again, Marlene? Alice was quite angry the last time.
Marlene: (sighs) That's not your problem, Private. You shouldn't be out here.
Private: I could say the same thing about you, Alice hasn't left for the day yet. If she catches you again, you may never see popcorn again. Or worse, she may have you shipped to another zoo. (pauses for a moment) If you must have popcorn, at least wait until the nighttime zookeeper arrives. He knows we wander about but as long as we don't cause problems and are back in our habitats before Alice comes in again he doesn't say anything.
Marlene: (looks amused) Why is that, anyway?
Private: I don't know, but Skipper seems to think that he knows too much and is a security risk. (long pause) I think he knows what goes on but cares too much to want anything to happen to us.
Marlene: Skipper thinks everybody is a security risk. Seriously, you guys take this commando thing way to far. (smiles) Look, I don't know why the night time zookeeper looks the other way. Maybe he thinks people will say he's crazy if he reports that the zoo's animals do more that just look cute and cuddly all the time. (stops fumbling with the machine and sighs heavily) Are all of you penguins able to pick locks or is it just Kowalski?
Private: (looks conflicted for a moment before performing a series of flips to reach the top of the concession stand, then he pulls out a paper clip from somewhere on his person and uses it to pick the lock on the popcorn popper.) Be careful, Marlene. It may still be hot.
Marlene: (climbs inside the popper and behold she does find some leftover popcorn) Thanks Private, do you want some as long as you're helping me.
Private: (shakes his head no) You've been misbehaving a lot lately, Marlene. Is something wrong?
Marlene: (looks caught for a moment) Wha….wrong? What would make you think something was wrong with me? (her stomach growls loudly)
Private: I didn't say anything was wrong with YOU, I just asked if anything was wrong. (pause) At all. (long awkward pause) IS something wrong with you? Did you need to talk about something?
Marlene: NO, ….no, no. Nothings wrong at all. You know me, …..I'm just doing my otter thing. (pause) Yup, …..just doing my thing. I've just been hungry a lot lately that's all. (Private studies her for a moment as he hears her stomach growl again loudly) Really hungry.
Private: (looks concerned) If you say so, ..but if you do need to talk about something.
Marlene: Yea, yea…I know where to find you. (Looks at private as he starts to waddle away) What makes you think the midnight zookeeper is concerned about what happens to us?
Private: (turns to face Marlene) Well, there are cameras all over the place, …but Alice never seems to notice what we do at night. I think he makes sure that she doesn't see us, ….and whenever he spots me out on recon for skipper he tosses me a fish. (pauses in thought for a moment and then rubs his tummy) A different kind every time. I don't tell the others because they'll want in, …it's okay to be a little selfish right?
Marlene: (looks thoughtful) Now that you mention it, …I think he's the one who gives me flowers once in a while for me to put in my cave. I never see him do it, but it always happens during the night. About once every few weeks after the others die off now that I think about it. (pause) It's sweet, really.
Private: Well, …I'd best be getting back. It's almost sack time. (looks at Marlene with concern) You just be careful, okay.
Marlene: (smiles) No problem, Private. (Private turns to waddle away) Thanks for the help, private. (Private does a flipper wave as he continues to waddle away towards his habitat. Marlene watches him until he dives into his pond and then sighs loudly.) Why couldn't you have been born an otter, at least then I'd have an option around here. (Reflects on the events of weeks past) I can't believe they tried to hook me up with a squirrel, …I MUST be lonely. (Marlene grabs what popcorn she can carry and then makes her way back to her habitat and disappears from sight)
(The scene dissolves to later that evening in the penguin habitat, Skipper is busy drinking out of his usual coffee cup as small fish hang over the sides of it and reading a newspaper he had salvaged from one of the Zoo recycling containers. Rico is busy looking through a closet deciding what ordinance he should ingest in preparation for the next day and Kowalski is sitting in front of the T.V set after reconfiguring it to tap into the Zoo's security camera's)
Kowalski: It's amazing how many cameras are in place around this zoo, …it's almost as if our human overlords suspect something.
Skipper: (looks over from his paper) Keep on it, Kowalski. If our security becomes compromised then we need to be ready to act.
Rico: (touches a button on the speak and spell hanging on the wall) "Evacuate"
Skipper: Not on my watch soldier, ….we'll rig this place to blow first and take the enemy with us if we have to.
Rico: (grunts) Kaboom! (laughs with sinister intent)
Kowalski: (looks surprised as he retunes the T.V. to look at the next camera placement) Did you know that the human females have a camera in their bathroom/ bathing area?
Rico: (grunts his words) Really? ( Rico waddles over to look)
Skipper: What could they possibly have to gain by doing that?
Kowalski: Maybe the males are afraid the females are using their private space to plan something in secret. It's almost diabolical if you think about it.
Skipper: Keep on it, …if they're up to something then I want to know what it is. (turns to Rico and points) Load heavy Rico, …just in case we need to go pre-emptive. (Rico salutes and waddles back to ingest more explosives. Skipper waddles closer to the screen and points.) Is That Alice?
Kowalski: It appears so, Skipper.
Skipper: So THAT's what they look like under their clothes. (looks closer) Well what do you know, …humans do have fur after all.
Kowalski: It's not surprising, Skipper. Genetically, humans are similar to simians.
Skipper: I'm sure the chimps would be happy to hear that. (turns to waddle back to his table) Carry on, Kowalski. ( As Skipper sits down at the table Private sails down the ladder into the H.Q.) Private, ….where have you been all this time. It's almost sack time.
Private: (Waddles over to the table and picks up another coffee cup with fish in it) Sorry Skipper, ….I was preoccupied with something.
Skipper: Do tell, ….and what was it that had your attention for so long?
Private: Marlene was getting into the popcorn stand again.
Kowalski: (turns from his work) Again? If she gets caught out of her habitat again she could jeopardize things for all of us.
Skipper: Kowalski's right, private. We can't go out on ops if the humans are watching our every move twenty four seven.
Kowalski: Good lord, …what if they put cameras into our habitats?
Skipper: (slaps his flipper on the table) That's not going to happen while I'm around. If this keeps up then we're going to have to send Marlene a message.
Private: But Skipper, …isn't Marlene our friend? She even had a crush on y…..(slaps a flipper across his beak) Oops, …forget you heard that. (Skipper looks amused for a moment and then acted like nothing happened) I mean, …that may be a tad hasty. In fact, …I think something's been bothering her.
Skipper: I meant a message telling her that she has to wait until later to go after her popcorn. And that she has to share, …that too. (Rico nods with enthusiasm) But go on, …what are you getting at?
Private: I dunno really, ….she just doesn't seem herself lately. She's been hungry quite a lot lately, her tummy sounded like she was starving to death.
Kowalski: I seriously doubt that she is, Private. If anything she looks like she's gained some weight. Perhaps she's depressed, …I could go over to her habitat later and use science to determine her mental state. What do you think, Skipper?
Private: (cuts off Skipper before he can speak) I really don't think that'll be necessary, Kowalski. Maybe if somebody just goes over to talk with her instead.
Kowalski: Oh sure, ….dumb it down for everybody why don't you. (Taps his head) I'm smart, don't you get that. (Yells) I'm smarter than this whole zoo put together, I can figure people out just as sure as if they were a mathematical equation.
Private: (looks timid) I'm sure, …but just the same. Somebody should go to talk with her first.
Skipper: Are you volunteering for a solo mission, Private?
Private: (salutes) I'm up to the task, sir.
Skipper: Very well then, at your own discretion commence operation cheer up the otter. Is there anything you need for this op, private? Anything to make sure the message gets across okay? (Rico smiles with enthusiasm and then regurgitates a sledge hammer, a grenade, and a sadistic sex toy in attempt to offer suggestions. All of the penguins stare at the last item and then turn to Rico. Skipper points at the last item) What is that thing, Rico? (Rico does a sinister laugh, places one flipper over the other, makes a fist and thrusts it forward to communicate his intent. The other penguins beaks drop for a moment before anyone speaks again.)
Kowalski: Good lord, Rico. You're more disturbed then we'd ever imagined. (Rico nods his head with zeal)
Private: Um, …I really don't think I'll be needing any of that. Thanks though. (waddles quickly away from the group.)
Kowalski: (turns to look at Rico) I think it's time we face facts, Rico. You really need to get some help. (Rico shakes his head no and then re-ingests all of the items.)
(Cut to later that evening, the last remnants of the suns light are quickly disappearing below the horizon. The lights around the zoo have come on to illuminate the area and as usual music can be heard coming from the lemur habitat as King Julian as well as the other lemurs bounce around on their inflatable. The lights surrender a shadow moving discretely from the penguin habitat to the otter's. Private's belly slide comes to an abrupt halt as he collides with the boot of the midnight zoo keeper.)
Private: (rubs his beak and looks up) Sorry, …didn't see you there. (The zookeeper looks at private for a moment having only heard penguin noises and then taps his watch to indicate the lateness of the hour before reaching into a bucket on his maintenance cart and tossing Private a fish.)
Zookeeper: So where are you going? (private points to the otter habitat) Visiting the otter, huh? (pauses in thought) I'm going to assume you guys can understand each other, …you're clearly intelligent enough to give me an idea what your up to. Tell me this, why does the otter keep getting into the popcorn? I caught a serious amount of flack from Alice the other day over it. She's trying to get me to electrify her fence at night to keep her in. (Private rubs his belly) She's hungry? (sighs) Yea, …I guess that was to be expected under the circumstances. I'll see if I can increase the portions of her meal rations. (snaps a quick salute to say goodbye) Thanks for the info little guy. (private salutes back and continues on his way to see Marlene as the zookeeper shakes his head and chuckles) And to think nobody would ever believe me.
(The scene cuts to the inside of Marlene's cave, she has fresh flowers placed here and there about the habitat which is tell tale of Marlene's neat and tidy nature. A dim light on the ceiling illuminates the area somewhat. Marlene and Private are sitting close to each other and have clearly been conversing for quite some time.)
Private: (surprised) An alien inside you? That seems a bit far fetched don't you think?
Marlene: No, ….look I know how I feel but it can't be possible.
Private: I should think not, …as far as anyone can tell aliens don't exist. (Marlene looks at him crossly)
Marlene: It was a metaphor, Private. I'm trying to illustrate to you how I FEEL.
Private: What ARE you trying to tell me then?
Marlene: (clenches her paws and makes a low frustrated growl before sighing heavily) I'm pregnant, okay. I'm going to have one or more babies. (Privates eyes widen for several moments before he speaks again)
Private: Are you…are you SURE? How can you tell? (Marlene stares at him in irritation) Oh, right. Well then, …what do you mean it can't be possible? It seems to me to be quite a natural thing.
Marlene: Do you SEE another otter around this place, Private? It takes two to tango and the last time I checked it was still just little old me in this zoo.
Private: (smiles) Really Marlene, I didn't even know you danced. (Long pause before Marlene frowns and smacks him across the beak) Not THAT dance, Private.
Private: Another metaphor I take it? (Marlene nods and a moment later Private chuckles) I've never danced. (He looks at Marlene in inquiry)
Marlene: Once,…a long time ago at another zoo. But that couldn't have brought about this, …not now. (looks directly at private) I can't keep this a secret much longer. The way I figure I'm due within the month, … and when word gets out there are going to be questions. What am I supposed to tell everybody, …the father is a ghost?
Private: Um, …actually Marlene I think the zookeepers already know.
Marlene: Wha….WHAT? What makes you think something like that, …how could they know.
Private: I don't know, …but when I ran into the night time zookeeper and let him know that you were getting into the popcorn because you were really hungry he said that it was to be expected under the circumstances. I didn't think anything of it at the time but now that you've told me all of this, …I'm pretty sure he knows something. Perhaps he's spoken with the zoo vet, …doctors usually can tell that sort of thing.
Marlene: Gimme a break Private, …the last time I saw the vet was at least a month ago to get a routine shot. I mean, ..I didn't even know at that point.
Private: Are you sure that's all that happened, Marlene? How long does an otter pregnancy take anyway?
Marlene: About two months according to my mother. Marlene stares off into space for a moment in revelation) Oh, …oh boy.
Private: (Continues in ignorance of Marlene's comment) Well something else must have happened for them to know about this. If that happened a month ago and you say your due toward the end of this month. (Marlene looks at Private sternly but the look quickly fades and transforms to a look of confusion)
Marlene: I think I fell asleep after the shot, …I woke up in my cave and didn't remember how I got there. (wrings her paws for a moment) Those shots sometimes wipe you out for a little bit so I didn't think much of it. (looks worried) Did they DO something to me? They wouldn't do that would they, …they have morals right? (Private begins to speak but as he does so a look of unprecedented anger comes over Marlene's face) Is It even POSSIBLE to do something like that? (Private begins to speak again but before he can do so Marlene Storms out of the cave)
Private: Oh dear, …I don't think this went well at all.
(The scene cuts to the penguin habitat about ten minutes later. The room is dark with the other penguins sound asleep in their bunks. Without warning a shadowy figure of an otter slides down the ladder and lands on the cold concrete with a heavy thunk as her rear end bumps the floor. Marlene makes her way over to the light switch while at the same time rubbing her rump, she then turns on the light and pulls Skippers covers off of him and proceeds to wake him up.)
Marlene: (yells in Skippers ear) HEY! Get up, … get your freak on for recon,…red alert, …whatever it is you yell to get everybody's attention around here. you've got a mission to do. (Skippers blood shot eyes quickly open)
Skipper: Huh, …what? (Stumbles out of bed and rubs his eyes) Marlene, ..how did you get past out defense grid? (Slaps Kowalski awake) Kowalski, …how did Marlene get past our defense grid?
Marlene: Skipper, ….leaving fake tinfoil lasers at the top of the ladder is not a defense grid.
Skipper: (frowns in disbelief) Kowalski, ..report.
Kowalski: ( rubs the sleep from his eyes and whips out an abacus crunching some numbers) Sadly Skipper, ..she's right. I must have forgot to carry a number somewhere. (shakes his head) The whole team could have been compromised, …I'll never forgive myself.
Skipper: (Shakes his head in disappointment) Remember to beat yourself up about it later.
Kowalski: Noted Skipper.
Marlene: Enough already, ..who cares about your defenses. I've got a recon job for you guys.
Skipper: Really, and who put you in a position to dictate our ops?
Marlene: (pauses in confliction about revealing this information) Since I became pregnant and don't know how it happened. (a long period of silence follows before anyone speaks)
Kowalski: By that you mean, …you don't know how the process works or….
Marlene: NO, …I mean I don't know how it happened. Do you see another otter around here anywhere? (Points at Private as he comes down the ladder) And HE seems to think the zookeepers know something about it. (everyone looks at Private to volunteer information)
Private: I just suggested really.
Marlene: Look, …I need you to break into the vet's office and get into his computer. If he knows anything it'll be there.
Skipper: Sounds a little risky to conduct an op based on female intuition, Marlene. (Marlene grabs Skipper by the chest feathers and begins plucking them out one by one)
Marlene: (Skipper winces with pain as Marlene pulls out a feather with each word) RISKY, …is messing with a moody pregnant lady. (winks) Get my drift?
Skipper: OW, ….The drift is gotten! (Marlene releases him and lightly dusts his chest with her paws making things neat again pausing to use them to note the definition of his chest with interest before shaking her head to clear it.)
Marlene: Sorry, …sorry. Pregnant lady hormones and all.
Skipper: ( turns to face the other penguins) It seems we've had an op handed to us boys. (Points at Kowalski) Kowalski, ..options!
Kowalski: (Scribbles something on a pad of paper and then shows his plan to Skipper) We sneak in now while it's dark and hack the vet's computer. It could be tricky though, .. I believe they may have upgraded their encryption protocols. (Rico chuckles and regurgitates a chain saw) Or perhaps not.
Skipper: It'll be good enough, ….operation paternity suit is a go. Move out people. (the penguins vault their way out through the exit in the ceiling and the scene fades out)
(The scene comes back in the darkened veterinarian's office. The room is briefly illuminated as sparks shower down from the edges of the HVAC vent overhead and moments later the vent cover swings open and four penguins somersault down with little effort. They are then followed by Marlene who's descent is somewhat more clumsy and results in a number of noises as things fall off of a table.)
Private: (places a flipper over his beak) Shhhhh….
Skipper: Marlene, …..you're going to blow our cover.
Marlene: (As she picks herself up off of the floor) Well excuse me if I'm not well practiced in the whole covert ops thing. (Grumbles) Just get to work Kowalski.
Kowalski: Somebody's grumpy. (Kowalski looks back at Skipper who rolls his eyes and gestures the go ahead. After thirty or more seconds of waiting for Kowalski to crack the computers encryption Rico gets impatient, regurgitates his chainsaw again and hacks the computer with the laughter of a psychotic maniac. Moments later the computer grants Kowalski access.)
Kowalski: For God's sake Rico, …I was almost there. You couldn't wait another thirty seconds? (Rico enthusiastically shakes his head no)
Skipper: (taps Kowalski on the shoulder) Shake it off soldier, …you both got the job done. Well done hacking that mainframe boys. (Kowalski grumbles to himself while Rico re-ingests the chain saw.)
Kowalski: (gets to work searching the vet's database for any information regarding Marlene.) The number of files on this computer is quite substantial, Skipper. This could take some time, … (The computer makes a number of sounds and then beeps a few times) Or maybe we could find the file quickly. (a moments silence as Kowalski opens and begins to read the file.) There's quite the record on you Marlene, …I didn't know you were born in the San Diego Zoo. Four siblings, ….whatever happened to them? I've never heard you mention anything.
Marlene: HEY! We're not here for a family history lesson, …just find the information we need already.
Kowalski: I already have, Marlene. I just thought your file was especially good reading, that's all. (Marlene growls) Right then. (clears his throat.) Oh dear…
Marlene: Oh dear what? How bad is it?
Kowalski: I guess it depends how you look at it. (long pause) I don't know how else to tell you this, Marlene. You were selected to be bred.
Private: You mean like a sandwich? (Skipper looks at Kowalski who looks at Rico who slaps Private)
Marlene: So what does that mean exactly?
Kowalski: (drools in fantasy) It means they used SCIENCE, …the mother of all tools to create another living being. (Marlene crosses her arms and taps her foot in irritation) Oh sorry, …the humans used a minimally invasive surgical procedure to combine genetic material from another otter with your own for the purpose of creating offspring that can later be shipped to zoo's around the country. It seems otters have become popular at zoo's since that little webcam fiasco a while back and other zoos are looking for inexpensive ways of acquiring domesticated otters. (Marlene wears a slightly confused expression)
Skipper: It means the humans knocked you up, Marlene.
Marlene: (Balls her paws into fists and stomps angrily with her right foot) How could they DO this to me? Am I not cute and cuddly enough to bring people to the zoo day after day? I do tricks, ..beg for popcorn, …and now they do THIS to me? (Hyperventilates for a moment) My kids won't even know who their dad is, …I don't even know who their dad is. (Sits down on the table top) What am I gonna do? (Marlene begins to tear up and cry lightly)
Skipper: ( Waddles over and uses his flipper to wipe away her tears) You're not going to sweat it, ..that's what your going to do. Don't worry, Marlene. We'll find this guy, …no kids going to go without a dad on my watch.
Private: You know Skipper, ….you could always fill in the daddy roll. We all know Marlene Likes yo…. (Marlene stomps on Privates foot) OW!
Skipper: What was that, Private?
Private: Nothing Skipper.
Skipper: Good, ..then continue with operation…. (Skipper is cut off by the sound of someone else squeezing though the vent) Intruders! Rico, prepare for defensive operations! (Rico regurgitates a flame thrower, an RPG, and a set of brass knuckles)
Marlene: (gapes at the items coming out of Rico) Seriously Rico, how do you get all of this crap in your…..ooh dibs on the knuckles. (picks them up and tries them on for size. As she does so, …Julian, Mort, and Morrise jump down through the vent.)
Julian: Ah HA! Are you seeing, ….I told you I would find where they are storing all of the delicious popcorn. (looks about seeing the otter and penguins.) Uh Morrise, …what are they doing here when I am clearly stating that this was all supposed to be secretive?
Mort: Um, …I don't see any popcorn.
Julian: (points angrily at the penguins) It is them, …they have eaten all of our beloved popcorn.
Skipper: Open your eyes ringtail, …there is no popcorn here. This is the Vet's office, …and you're endangering a sensitive operation.
Julian: Well don't be worrying, …if you are going to need an operation then the doctors office is definitely the place for you. Um, …incidentally I didn't know you were sick. (Stares at the computer screen for a moment and then dismisses it. He then turns to Morrise) Clearly you have led us to the wrong place.
Morrise: Um your majesty, …YOU led us here.
Julian: (holds his paw in Morrise's face) Do not be playing the blame game with me, ..this is your fault. When we get home you will punish yourself, …make sure you don't go easy. I want to make sure you teach yourself a lesson. (Morrise rolls his eyes and sighs. As the lemurs continue their banter the sound of footsteps outside the office is heard followed by a human shadow at the frosted glass of the office door.)
Skipper: (hushed tone) We've got company, ….duck and cover people. (The Penguins disappear from view in almost an instant with exception of Marlene who is pulled out of sight by Rico a moment later leaving the Lemurs exposed. The sound of keys is heard rattling in the door knob just before the door opens and the Lemurs find themselves illuminated by a flashlight.)
Zookeeper: (stares at the lemurs for a long moment and then pinches his sinuses as he looks down at the mess on the floor created by Marlene's fall through the vent.) You've got to be kidding me, …first the otter is into the popcorn and now you guys are screwing up the vet's office. (points his finger at Julian) This is going way too far, …I can't keep things quiet If you along with the other animals are going to create problems for me. (Raises his voice) The more trouble you get into the more camera footage I have to edit and it's getting to be a challenge. (Sighs deeply and then points again) Not to mention I don't get anything back out of this. (begins to rant a little) The Penguins vault over the zoo walls on a regular basis bringing back Chinese food, sushi, or god knows what else and do I get anything for looking the other way? The least you guys could do on your excursions is bring me something. (Julian looks at him with a selfish expression and then turns to Morrise)
Julian: Uh Morrise, …is he still talking about himself? Because I am only interested in hearing things that are about me. Make him go away so that we may continue looking for the delicious popcorn. (looks about) And where did everybody else go? They should all be here worshipping the king!
Morrise: Uh, Your majesty? You realize that this is the night time zookeeper, right? This is the guy who lets us do what we want so we don't have to be cooped up all of the time. Making him mad might not be such a good idea.
Julian: Shut up a little, okay? I am the king here and I decree that the zookeeper must fear ME. (turns to the zookeeper) You there, …Zookeeper! I demand that you show me where you have hidden the delicious popcorn this instant or I shall tattle to the sky gods about you. And you do not want to be making them angry let me tell you.
Zookeeper: (after hearing Julian chatter on with what are to him Lemur noises, he decides he's had enough and walks over to a locked closet in search of an animal net but instead finds only tranquilizer darts and an air pistol.) I guess even the vet gets tired of chasing you guys. (He loads the darts with tranquilizer and then loads the weapon.) Don't make me do this guys, ..like it or not you're going back to your habitat.
Morrise: (puts his hands up) I think we need to pay attention your majesty.
Julian: How many times must I tell you Morrise, …shut up a little. (turns to the zookeeper) Are you going to do what I am telling you or what? (The zookeeper raises the dart gun at Julian and fires hitting Morrise instead as he jumped in front of Julian taking the dart in the shoulder)
Morrise: ( as the sedative begins to take effect making him drowsy) Run, …..you idiot.
Julian: Morrise have you just said to me what I think you said? No one talks to the king in this way! (Mort gets shot with a dart and falls over)
Mort: I feel sleepy. (Laughs a little as he falls asleep)
Julian: (realizes that Mort was standing right next to him and that he is next) NO, …not the face. (he turns around and tries to run but is shot in the rump and falls face first to the floor. He mumbles as he begins to pass out.) Not the booty either….
Zookeeper: (groans) I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Alice. (He picks up the Lemurs and carries them out of the office to return them to their habitat. After the zookeeper leaves Marlene and the penguins emerge from their hiding spots.)
Skipper: Those lemurs are a serious hazard.
Private: Well, …at least the zookeeper didn't notice the computer or we all could have been in trouble. (Kowalski gets back on the computer and prints out the file.)
Marlene: So where can we find this mystery otter?
Kowalski: The Philadelphia Zoo.
Marlene: Philadelphia? But Philadelphia is, ….it's, ….you know what, I have no idea where Philadelphia is. It sounds pretty far away though.
Skipper: Not to worry, Marlene. Kowalski, we'll need some intel. (Kowalski logs onto the internet and brings up Map Quest in the browser. He then begins to search for the Philadelphia zoo.)
Kowalski: (after several moments of searching) I've got it Skipper, …The Philadelphia Zoo is in the next state below us right next to New Jersey.
Skipper: Why is it everything important is right next to New Jersey? (Kowalski and Rico exchange glances and shrug at each other.) Never mind, …how do we get there? Kowalski, …options!
Kowalski: (Continues looking at Map Quest) I'm still working on it, Skipper. This could take a few minutes.
Skipper: That's not like you, Kowalski. What's wrong?
Kowalski: It's this internet connection, ….the zoo is still using dial up. It's so SLOW,… I can't stand it!
Skipper: Patience soldier, …good intel is worth waiting for.
Kowalski: Rico, …don't you have anything that could speed this thing up? (Skipper and Private look at him in surprise. ) What? He hacked the computer with a chain saw, ..who's to say he doesn't have something for this. (Kowalski looks at Rico who wipes his beak and then regurgitates a can of AMP energy drink. He Then begins to pour it into the processor fan vent at the back of the computer.) Excellent Rico, …that stuff will accelerate anything.
Private: Are you sure, Kowalski?
Kowalski: Absolutely, ….Albert the giant tortoise drank some last week and he was bouncing off the walls for twenty minutes. If anything can speed that guy up then it must be primo stuff. (As he is talking a popping sound is heard coming from the back of the computer along with a great deal of smoke. The monitor goes dead and moments later in a smoky puff flames erupt from the back of the computer.)
Rico: (points and grunts loudly) FIRE! (He grabs a piece of paper from the printer and tries to fan the fire out but catches the paper on fire instead and burns his flipper causing him to drop the flaming paper to the floor where it ignites other flammable materials that had fallen off of the desk earlier. From there the fire begins to spread about the room.)
Skipper: Evacuate! Go….Go! (They form a penguin ladder and toss Marlene up into the vents first and then pull each other through from the bottom up. As they close the vent behind them the sprinklers come on and the fire alarm sounds. Once outside the Penguins watch from the sidewalk as the zookeeper comes running up.)
Zookeeper: (sees the penguins) Good lord, what have you guys done! (Furious) That's it, …that's IT! You guys are done, …I can't cover something like this. I can kiss my job goodbye and your freedoms come with it my friends because nobody else is going to put up with this crap assuming they don't report your activities in the first place. As soon as somebody notices you animals do more than just eat, sleep, and poop, they'll put you in a lab somewhere to be studied. (Fire engines can be heard approaching in the distance.)
Private: I don't want to be studied, Skipper.
Skipper: Nobodies going to be, Private. We'll need a subterfuge. Kowalski, ..options! (Kowalski quietly jots a few things down on his notepad and then shows it to Skipper.) It'll have to do. Rico, …we don't have time to make this pretty. (Rico nods and then regurgitates a baseball bat. A split second later he jumps into the flippers of his team mates and does a somersault over the zoo keepers head beating him up with the baseball bat on the way down. Seconds after Rico's feet hit the ground, so does the zookeeper. Kowalski then writes in his neatest English on his notepad, peels the page off, licks it and then slaps it into the bruised zoo keepers forehead.) Head for the hole in the south wall, people. We'll regroup and continue from there, …operation paternity suit is still a go. Move out! (The penguins belly slide in the direction of the exit followed by Marlene who scampers on all fours as quickly as she can with her extra baggage.)
Chapter two coming soon…
Food for thought:
"With great power comes great responsibility." Stan Lee
I guess that's why Rico never carries nukes, ..he doesn't do responsibility.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, ..I may be contacted at