Tonight Will Be a Dark Night for Ants
In The Great Simpsina we see Lisa performing the "Milk Can Escape". What if something went wrong?
Nelson had been the only one to hear the muffled thuds coming from behind the screen.
Because he was the only one listening for them.
It wasn't that he didn't have complete faith in Lisa. He trusted her wholly. However, he'd seen her at her most delicate, and knew how fragile the girl was.
Breakable.
There was bound to be some air left in the milk can, so he hadn't done anything right away. Maybe it was part of the suspense building- or she was somehow punching her way out of the container? Then, after about a minute, the noise grew less and less- weakly fading away as its creator began to run out of oxygen. He'd give her another 5 seconds. Nelson had known she'd be furious if he ruined her act, but could he really run the risk of losing her forever? Especially when he knew, in his heart, that something was not right.
And so, when she'd used up all the time he'd allotted her, Nelson ploughed easily through the crowd, and dived behind the screen. Ralph Wiggum had been standing there- staring dumbly at the silent milk can. Yanking at the padlocks, Nelson had soon found they were phoney, and ripped them from the lid with ease. He had hurled the lit onto the ground. Inside, a sodden blond head was visible, floating in the liquid. Nelson had never liked milk.
He had easily scooped her out in his arms, and listened for a heartbeat. Faint, but determined, it had brought such relief to him that he'd almost cried. Nelson hadn't allowed himself time to celebrate- Lisa was unconscious.
It was probably then that everyone had cottoned onto the fact that the Great Simpsina was in trouble, and a whole mob of pupils had burst around the curtain, and been greeted with a peculiar scene. Milhouse had rushed to Nelson's side, pressed her cheek against Lisa's and muttered: "It's gonna be okay." Nelson had kicked him (his arms were full).
Someone had finally realised that an ambulance might be a good idea, and pretty soon the wailing of sirens could be heard, and a van had screeched around the corner. Bart had been allowed to ride with his sister, but Nelson was a little shy to ask. Besides, he knew the answer, so what was the point?
So, he'd ditched school and made his way over. It didn't take too long, but every second, the same question pounded through his mind.
Did I get there in time?
He could only hope.
Nelson had pounded up the many flights of stairs- following the instructions Dr. Hibbert had given him, until he reached Lisa's ward. Mrs Simpson was sitting by her bed in a small plastic chair, and Lisa had never looked more fragile.
"Hey, Mrs S."
"Hello, Nelson. Have you come to see how Lisa is?"
"No, I've come to see the baby elephant next door." Immediately, Nelson had regretted his sarcasm. "How is she?"
"Well, she woke up, which was good, and then passed out again, which was, er...not so good." Marge admitted.
"But she'll be okay, eh...?" Nelson grunted. In response, Lisa gave a thin moan, and tossed in the thin sheets. A dark hand had crept around the door.
"Mrs Simpson- a moment, please?"
"Of course, Dr. Hibbert."
Now, Nelson sat on the small plastic chair, completely alone, other than a silent girl beside him. He took her pale, small hand and placed his over it. "You'll be fine, Lis'".
He sat like that for a while, just thinking, and hoping.
"Nelson?"
The boy jerked up. He'd been daydreaming, but the small yet determined voice had cut through his thoughts. "Hey, Lisa"
Her eyes had fluttered open, and a thin smile was spreading across her lips. "Mum says you yanked me out of the can."
Embarrassed, he nodded shyly.
"I don't know what went wrong. The...the top wouldn't come off- it twists, normally- it's in two halves- but it must have got stiff-"Lisa paused, her eyes flittering guiltily around the room. "I really shouldn't have said that out loud."
Nelson grinned. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Lisa nodded. "Well, anyway, thanks for saving me."
"Nah, Lis'. Thanks for saving me."