Chapter One: The zoo expansion
The Central Park Zoo
December 7th 2016
7:00 A.M Eastern Standard Time
(Skipper's POV)
"Kowalski give me some news…" I said. "The Park commissioner has just cut the ribbon for the new zoo expansion," Kowalski said from his position at the top of a lightpost. "Kowalski what kind of new animals are we dealing with here," I said. "I see eight habitats…" Kowalski said, "A Bengal tiger habitat." "Oh more predators just what we need,' I muttered. "a Panda habitat with a family of pandas….and baby pandas!" "Aw!" Private said, "can we visit them?" "Not now, private," I said, "we're in observation mode." "A California sea-lion habitat…" Kowalski added. "just what we need," I replied with a roll of an eye.
"A wolf habitat…" "What how can you tell?" Private said. "well there is sign that says Wolves this way…but the Electrified fence gave it away." "Oh," Private said. "Chop! Chop! Kowalski! We're on a schedule here!" "right…right," Kowalski said, "Meerkats, Hyenas, Red Panda,Doris…DORIS!" "Oh come on!" I said, "she lives her now!" "Moving on," Kowalski said, "The insect house seems to be extremely popular. The New Mini-aqurium is also just as popular." "What about the Bird House and the Reptile house?" Private said. "They contiune to be the most popular attractions," Kowalski replied.
"Okay Kowalski," I said, "what can of facilities and attractions do we have…" "The New Zoo Merry-go-round, a new restrauant, two gift shops, a event pavilion…and plenty of restrooms. And a new walk-thru Wallaby/emu habitat in the petting zoo!" "what about that secret area you mentioned?" I said. "I can see it," Kowalski said, "but I am unable to see inside…" "time to get to higher ground…" "Yeah about that," Kowalski said, "it is separated from the rest of the zoo by a fifty foot wall…" Private pulled out the vastly expanded zoo map the secret area was on the map. All the habitats, attractions, and ameities of the 2016 expansion were now shown on the map.
"Mmm…" Kowalski said pointed to a gray area of the map, "that part of the expansion isn't going to be open until next year." "Until then," I said, "we will refer to it as the Mystery area." "but what habitats are in there?" Private said. "We have to wait and see like everyone else…" I said, "Now who wants breakfast!" "Oh…I'll have a BLT…hold the T…and…" Julian said. "I wasn't talking to you," I said ignoring the lemur as we entered the habitat.
"Rico," I said, "we're having ice cold sushi for breakfast!" "again?" Private said. "isn't the ice cold sushi getting a bit old?" Kowalski said. "Wha?" Rico said smelling the fish to make sure it was fresh. "Smells fresh to me," Rico said. "No I mean we have sushi every signal morning…shouldn't we mix it up a little." "Kowalski…you right," I said, "It's time for…" "Mangos!" Mort said. "Wha…sadeyes…" "Greetings penguins it's time to freshen up your fish diet with fruit!" Julian said. "Penguins don't eat fruit!" I shouted. "You don't know unless you try it," Julian said.
"Our beaks are not adapted to eat fruit," Kowalski said, "Our beaks and digestive systems have evolved to eat fish…" "but I brought durian!" Julian said. "Julian," Maurice said, "we should probably leave…" "GET YOU STINKY FRUIT OUT OF HERE RINGTAIL!" I shouted. "fine…" Julian said, "but you don't know what your missing…" with that the lemurs finally left. "urgh," I said. "I thought you fuzzy little buddies would never leave," Private said. "Julian and I are not friends," I said, "now back to breakfast… PRIVATE'S Choice!" "Me?" Private said. "Lunacorn cereal again!" Kowalski said. "no," Private said, "I was think…" "FORGET IT!" I said, "we're having sushi!" Suddenly the TV came to life. "Private…" I said. "sorry…" Private said, "I accidently sat on the remote." "This is Chucks Charles reporting that Macy's department store is under attack…" "Exterminate!" "This is chuck charles…RUNNING FOR MY LIFE!" The dalek fired and the screen went dark. "Urgh…Breakfast is canceled," I said, "Next stop…MACY'S DEPARTMENT STORE!"
"we can't even have breakfast," I muttered. "nice going Private," Kowalski muttered, "you just had to turn on the TV!" "Yah!" rico grumbled his putting his cutting board and sushi knives away. "stop your grumbling nancy-cats," I said, "we have daleks to stop!" "But what would they want with a famous department store?" Private said. "It's time to find out," I said, "now…Commence operation: White Christmas!" "Yes sir!" Kowalski said. we rushed out of out base and past the lemurs. "Oh! Don't worry there's plenty of fruit if you change you mind!" Julian shouted. "Not now ringtail!" I shouted as we ran out of the zoo. "Fine be that way," Julian said, "more fruit for me!" "can I have all the mangoes?" Mort said. "Sure knock yourself out," Julian said, "the king's on a durian cleanse."
(end of chapter one)